How to Clean your Teeth

Teeth cleaning

Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental cleaning, and dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits not removed by routine cleaning.
Brushing

Careful and frequent brushing with a toothbrush helps to prevent build-up of plaque bacteria on the teeth. These bacteria metabolize carbohydrates from food and excrete acid which demineralizes tooth enamel, which may eventually decay teeth, causing toothache and cavities and requiring dental treatment, often involving fillings. Dental calculus (tartar, hardened plaque) buildup on teeth, usually opposite salivary ducts, is due to minerals deposited on resident plaque. Frequent brushing and swishing saliva around helps prevent these deposits. Fluoride-containing or anti-plaque (tartar control) toothpastes may mitigate production of plaque and calculus.

Early toothbrushing utilized powdered pumice stone as a polishing agent. Later, flavored powders were mixed with the powdered pumice to make a more pleasant-tasting toothpowder. In the late 1920s powdered pumice was mixed with a flavored paste to make toothpaste, with no added treatment agents as found in toothpastes today.

Electric toothbrushes were developed, and initially recommended for people with strength or dexterity problems in their hands, but they have come into widespread general use. The effectiveness of electric toothbrushes at reducing plaque formation and gingivitis is about the same as conventional toothbrushes

Toothbrushing cannot reach or force toothpaste inside pits and fissures in chewing surfaces, where over 80% of cavities occur. A new toothbrush design is needed to force fluoride toothpaste inside pits and fissures to neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth enamel.
Flossing and interdental cleaning

In addition to brushing, cleaning between teeth may help to prevent build-up of plaque bacteria on the teeth. This may be done with dental floss or interdental brushes.

80% of cavities occur in the grooves, or pits and fissures, of the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

Special appliances or tools may be used to supplement toothbrushing and interdental cleaning. These include special toothpicks, oral irrigators, and other devices.
Scrubbing

Teeth can be cleaned by scrubbing with a twig instead of a toothbrush. Plant sap in the twig takes the place of toothpaste. In many parts of the world teeth cleaning twigs are used. In the Muslim world the miswak or siwak is made from twigs or roots that are said to have an antiseptic effect when used for cleaning teeth.
Professional teeth cleaning

Teeth cleaning (prophylaxis) by a dental hygienist removes tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach in routine toothbrushing. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing and debridement if too much tartar has accumulated. This involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth.

Most dental hygienists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every six months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during treatment of dental and other oral disorders. Routine examination of the teeth is recommended at least every year. This may include yearly, select dental X-rays. See also dental plaque identification procedure and removal.

Between cleanings by a dental hygienist, good oral hygiene helps to prevent cavities, tartar build-up, and gum disease.

How to Get Dental Veneers to Whiten Teeth

Dental veneers, also known as dental porcelain laminates or porcelain veneers, are a thin, custom-made shell of material that looks like a tooth. They are placed over the real teeth to improve your appearance and occasionally to protect a damaged tooth. Dental veneers are commonly used to make your teeth appear more white and the following steps will show how this is done.

Ensure that your teeth will not respond to a tooth-whitening system. Teeth may become permanently discolored from excess fluoride, tetracycline or other drugs.

Select the desired material for the veneer. Porcelain usually will be the preferred choice if your primary goal is teeth whitening. This material resembles a real tooth most closely and is the best for stain resistance.

Use veneers to conceal an overall discoloration. Veneers are applied to all of your visible teeth. You have a greater choice of shade with this option because you don't have to match the shade of the veneers to your existing teeth.

Get a veneer for an individual tooth that is permanently discolored. This is most commonly the result of a root canal or a large resin filling. The color of the veneer must be very carefully matched to the surrounding teeth.

Follow your dentist's recommendation on stain-causing foods and beverages. Even with porcelain veneers, you may need to avoid drinks such as coffee, red wine and tea. You may continue your usual oral hygiene practices regarding brushing and flossing because veneers do not require any special treatment in this area.

Follow your dentist's recommendation on stain-causing foods and beverages. Even with porcelain veneers, you may need to avoid drinks such as coffee, red wine and tea. You may continue your usual oral hygiene practices regarding brushing and flossing because veneers do not require any special treatment in this area.