Teeth cleaning and teeth whitening are two types of dental procedures that patients often get confused. However, these procedures and their goals are quite different.
The primary goal of teeth cleaning is to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
While the main objective of teeth whitening is to remove stains for cosmetic purposes and lighten the original color of the teeth
At Clínica Dental Champsaur, your dentist is happy to give you a better idea of how these procedures differ and which may be better suited to your needs.
Teeth cleaning and whitening in Panama – let’s talk about each one
Professional Teeth Cleaning in Panama
Professional cleanings are typically performed by our team in Panama, who have been specially trained and licensed to clean and polish teeth. The dentists generally recommend a thorough and professional cleaning every 6 months, though some patients may need cleanings more often if they are prone to decay or have a history of gum disease.
Removing the plaque and tartar from and in between teeth accomplishes two important goals. First, removing the build-up helps to minimize the risk of several tooth and gum conditions. It will also get rid of residue that can leave the mouth feeling less than fresh and the breathe unpleasant.
Types of Teeth Cleaning in Panama
Dental cleaning, also known as dental prophylaxis, is the standard type of procedure that most patients undergo every 6 months.
Prophylaxis is usually performed using a series of ultrasonic instruments, scalers, and curettes to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth.
When your hygienist is finished gently scraping tartar from teeth, he or she will generally use a polishing tool to remove surface stains and any lingering plaque from the teeth’s surface.
Though some patients may feel slight discomfort during prophylaxis, particularly if the gums are sore due to gingivitis, the procedure is relatively painless and therefore no anesthesia or numbing agents are required. You can expect your prophylaxis treatment to take about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the amount of tartar accumulation you have and amount of time between cleaning appointments.
Root scaling and planning is another more specialized type of cleaning that seeks to treat the gum when gum disease is advanced by gingivitis or periodontitis. They are sometimes called deep cleaning although it is a more meticulous and advanced procedure. This type of cleaning procedure is recommended for patients showing signs of gum disease.
Root scraping is performed with tools similar to prophylaxis, but it is performed by our team of professionals at Clinica Dental Champsaur, especially by the Periodontist. For this, specific scrapers are used to clean below the gum line. Local anesthesia is usually used to numb the area being cleaned. With advanced cases of gum disease, you may need to return for several root scaling and planing appointments and have a segment of your mouth done at each appointment.
Your gums will likely be sore and tender once the anesthesia wears off after the root scraping procedure. However, with proper brushing, flossing, and mouthwash, this pain (and your gum disease) should start to go away.
Some signs that you may need a dental scaling procedure, rather than just standard prophylaxis, include:
- Your gums are red, swollen, and sore.
- Your gums bleed whenever you brush or floss.
- Your teeth have begun to feel loose in your jaw.
- You can see pockets forming between your teeth and gums.
- You have chronic bad breath that does not go away after brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash.
To schedule an appointment or to know the prices of Teeth cleaning and whitening in Panama, contact us.