PROFESSIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE

WHAT IS PROFESSIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE, AND WHAT TREATMENTS DOES IT INCLUDE?

Professional dental hygiene is a preventive dental treatment performed by a qualified dental hygienist or dentist.

The procedure consists of three, sometimes four, stages and lasts about 40-60 minutes.

1. The first stage – SCALING – involves removing supra- and sub-gingival tartar using an ultrasonic scaler. Scaling is usually performed without anaesthesia, as it is not painful, but patients with higher tooth sensitivity may receive anaesthesia.
2. The second stage – AIR POLISHING – aims to remove stains using a high-pressure mix of water and fine bicarbonate particles. Air polishing cleans stains on teeth or fillings, achieving a subtle whitening effect.
3. After scaling and air polishing, thorough TOOTH POLISHING with a rotary brush and polishing paste is essential to smooth the enamel and fillings, preventing quick redeposition of plaque and tartar.
4. FLUORIDE APPLICATION is a highly recommended final step to prevent tooth sensitivity and protect enamel against new carious lesions by modifying its microscopic structure.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF UNTREATED DENTAL TARTAR?

Untreated dental tartar, accumulating on teeth and roots (under the gums), poses a significant risk to gum and periodontal health, the tissues surrounding the teeth. Tartar, a mineralised dental plaque, has a porous, uneven surface that facilitates bacterial adhesion.

Neglecting hygiene and tartar removal leads to gum and periodontal inflammation, bacteria entering the bloodstream, gum recession, progressive bone loss, and ultimately, tooth loss in severe cases.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD DENTAL HYGIENE BE PERFORMED?

Dental hygiene should ideally be done once a year. For patients prone to tartar buildup or with periodontal diseases (commonly known as periodontitis), hygiene frequency should be done every 3 or 6 months.

FROM WHAT AGE SHOULD DENTAL HYGIENE PROCEDURES BEGIN?

Young enamel up to about 18 years of age should be protected from air polishing. Until this age, hygiene should consist of gentle scaling, if necessary, and polishing with a brush and paste, followed by fluoride application.

The necessity of air polishing is determined by the hygienist or dentist based on individual patient needs.