Anyone who has ever looked into the mirror and thought “I really need to take better care of my teeth” knows how important teeth cleaning can be. Professional teeth cleaning is a great way to make sure your pearly whites stay healthy and shining! In this comprehensive guide to professional teeth cleaning, we’ll answer all your questions, including what professional teeth cleaning comprises, why it’s beneficial, what to expect from the process, and much more.
Professional teeth cleaning can refer to a variety of different procedures, all aimed at improving the health of your teeth and gums. The most common procedure is called scaling, where a dental hygienist uses an ultrasonic scaler or manual tools to clean away plaque and tartar buildup on and around the surface of your teeth. This helps reduce gum inflammation, an important factor in preventing gum disease.
Another common procedure is root planing, which helps to smooth the surface of the root of the tooth and prevent further bacterial buildup. This helps protect against deep pockets forming between your teeth and gums, which can lead to serious oral health problems.
In addition to scaling and root planing, professional teeth cleaning may also involve polishing and fluoride treatments. Polishing helps to get rid of any staining on the surface of your teeth, leaving you with a brighter smile. Fluoride treatments help re-mineralize your teeth, providing them with an extra layer of protection against decay.
Professional teeth cleaning is beneficial as it allows for deeper, more effective cleaning than what can be done at home. It also helps to remove tartar and plaque buildup, which can contribute to gum disease if left unchecked. Regular professional teeth cleaning is recommended every six months in order to keep your teeth healthy and your smile looking its best.
When you go for a professional teeth cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will begin by taking pictures of your teeth to assess any areas that may need extra attention. Then, they will use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. Finally, they may provide you with a fluoride treatment or polishing to finish the job.
Your dentist or hygienist can answer any questions you have about professional teeth cleaning and help you make sure it is right for you. So make sure to talk to them before getting started!
Don’t let the show “Jersey Shore” fool you. The coastal areas of New Jersey are a beautiful, relaxing place where people enjoy the beach lifestyle in friendly, down to Earth communities. As anyone who lives here will tell you, once you live at the shore you never want to live anywhere else!
Don’t believe us? Go visit these fantastic Jersey Shore communities for a taste of what life is like here:
Manahawkin / Stafford
Manahawkin is the gateway to Long Beach Island, a beautiful little community that is technically a part of Stafford Township. It’s a warm, pleasant place to live filled with great people and excellent access to local beaches and attractions such as Long Beach Island, Atlantic City, and Seaside Heights. That’s why we are proud to be a dentist serving Manahawkin!
Lavallette
Located just north of Toms River, this sleepy little beachfront community is nestled between the Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It enjoys a close proximity to shore hotspots like Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights, but is itself a quiet town with plenty of local shops and neighbors who know one another. It’s a beautiful place to relax.
Ocean Beach
Technically part of Toms River, the quaint bungalows that make up most of Ocean Beach make this the perfect community for summer rentals or affordable retirements.
Beach Haven
This subdued community on Long Beach Island is as beautiful as it is quiet. It’s a small town in which everyone knows their neighbor. Longtime residents are common. It’s the ideal place to live if you like to have good friends nearby. Even better, it boasts easy access to the attractions in places like Barnegat and other nearby LBI communities.
Cape May
This historic town is filled with old inns, bed and breakfasts, and romantic getaways. Many of these home have been here since the 19th Century. This is a fantastic place to get away from it all, with great boat tours, secluded places to eat, and more.
Asbury Park
Asbury Park is back and in a big way. Once run down and decrepit, this town is now thriving with great restraints, shops, art galleries and more. It’s a town ideal for hip young people. The bar scene is excellent, the music scene even better, and there are good apartments available. If ever there was a welcome return to form at the shore, it’s the return of Asbury Park.
Wildwood
Sometimes called “The Wildwoods,” though that actually refers to several towns, Wildwood and the surrounding towns showcase the fun side of the Jersey Shore. With a lengthy boardwalk packed with games and rides and places to eat, and a town filled with things to do, eat, drink, see and enjoy, Wildwood is a weekender’s perfect getaway. No wonder it’s such a popular destination!
As you can see, the Jersey Shore is more than night clubs and boardwalks. It’s varied and interesting enough for almost anyone!
Take a look at your toothbrush. It is a familiar part of your daily routine, something you see early every morning (or at least we hope so) and just before bed every night (ditto). Your toothbrush is your friend
But the fact of the matter is, that toothbrush is probably due for replacing.
If you’re like a lot of people, you probably brush your teeth a little more energetically that you need to. With time, the brush’s bristles will begin to fray, looking like a used broom or paintbrush. The bristles may even be a touch off-white now, too. Those are all sure signs that it’s time to replace your brush with a new one.
And trust us, you don’t want to use a toothbrush that is past its useful life. If you do, it just won’t do the job that it’s designed to do.
If you brush your teeth the way we’ve taught you here at Bayside Dentistry, a dentist serving Manahawkin, Forked River, Barnegat and all of Ocean County, the signs might not be as obvious. They may not jump out at you, but small changes in your toothbrush will make it less effective in doing its job. They include:
- Slight curve/slant to the bristles – This can happen after using it over a long stretch of time. Though it can often be barely noticeable, this can prevent the bristles from reaching around the gum line and between your teeth.
- Loss of elasticity – Modern toothbrush bristles are made to be elastic and bendable. This is to allow the brush to provide the gentle sweeping movement necessary for the most effective brushing. As the bristles’ elasticity wears down, your brushing becomes less effective.
- Harboring bacteria – No matter how clean you keep your brush and its holder, over time bacteria will begin to make a home there. This makes fighting plaque and germs even harder.
A good rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you are seeing the family here at Bayside regularly, you already know that having a new, fresh toothbrush is essential to your oral health. Some things we recommend to ensure it lasts a long while include:
- Air dry it; do not store it in a closed container. This helps prevent bacteria growth
- Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after each use. This keeps the bristles flexible
- Don’t share your toothbrush with others! The reasons why should be obvious
- Brush firmly but gently. Many people brush too hard, wearing out their brush faster
- Replace it every 3-4 months
Doing what you can to make sure your toothbrush is well taken care of is one of the easiest things you can do to be sure you have good oral health. Doing so will guarantee that every time you brush, your teeth they are as clean as can be, your breath is fresh, and your future trips to Bayside will be as smooth as possible.
And let’s be honest, isn’t the whole reason you visit us here at Bayside in the first place to have healthy teeth? We serve Manahawkin, Lacey / Forked River, Barnegat, and all of Ocean County!
