Why Your Routine Professional Cleaning Involves Scaling Teeth

Do you ever wonder exactly what your dental hygienist is doing during a routine cleaning? Of course, they floss and polish your teeth as the last step but what about when they use the tool with the metal hook to scrap the bottoms of your teeth near the gum line? They also use compressed air and water to help get the job done. This process is referred to as scaling teeth, a crucial step in deep cleanings that can help prevent and treat periodontist (gum disease) by removing built-up plaque and tartar.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control says that 47.2 percent of people in the United States suffer from mild, moderate or severe periodontist. Periodontist, also known as gum disease or gingivitis at a certain stage, is caused by bacteria-ridden plaque and tartar that sits near the gum line. If plaque isn’t properly removed regularly, it releases toxins that attack gum tissue. Symptoms of periodontist include red, swollen gums that are sensitive and bleed when brushed. Other symptoms include gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth ultimately resulting in elongated looking teeth.  

A severe case of periodontist can lead to tooth loss and permanent damage to the jaw. However, if treated early the damage can usually be reversed by scaling or gum surgery.  During a six-month check-up and teeth cleaning, if a patient is not consistently brushing and flossing, expect the hygienist to be scaling teeth to remove the build-up of plaque and tartar that is cemented on the teeth and cannot be removed with just brushing and flossing at that point.  That is one of the many reasons it is extremely important to get your teeth regularly cleaned by a professional and to properly brush and floss your teeth and gums twice a day.

How the hygienist does the job

There are a few instruments used to scale teeth and your dental hygienist may use depending on the situation. The most common instrument is the hand-held metal scaler. The hygienist will use this instrument to manually remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth by using both the sharp and blunt ends of the scaler. The sharp end is used to scrape build-up on the teeth and the blunt end is used to reach under the gum line and remove plaque without harming the gums.

A sonic scaler and an ultrasonic scaler are the other tools the hygienists use. A sonic scaler sprays compressed water and air, which allows the hygienist to break up the tartar and plaque and then with the ultrasonic scaler an electromagnetic field is generated to chip away at build-up with sound vibrations. The hygienist selects the appropriate tools, after examining the severity of the build-up and assessing the patients’ health. For example, if a patient has a pacemaker, the hygienist should not use an ultrasonic scaler because the electromagnetic field causes pacemaker malfunctions.

At Artistic Dental, we recommend getting your teeth deep cleaned and scaled every six months. When you skip appointments, build-up of plaque and tartar is more likely. Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Adhikari, along with our highly-trained team of hygienists believe that proper cleanings are the best way to fight periodontist and gum disease. To make an appointment call (602)- 840-5400.

Heart Health and Your Teeth

February is American Heart Month, which is a very important month to recognize. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

However – the good news is that making positive, impactful decisions involving your day-to-day health can prevent heart disease. Additionally, it’s important to know about the potential link between gum disease and heart disease.

Many health experts attest that healthy gums have various ramifications on a healthy heart, and vice-versa, most notably in the similarities between the bacteria and inflammation patterns associated with both conditions.

According to the American Heart Association, both conditions often host the same catalysts: “Periodontitis and heart disease share risk factors such as smoking, age and diabetes, and both contribute to inflammation in the body. Although these shared risk factors may explain why diseases of the blood vessels and mouth can occur simultaneously, some evidence suggests that there may be an independent association between the two diseases.”

Some of the latest research finds that gum disease has a direct link to higher risk of inflammation around the heart, which increases the risk of heart attack. It’s important to note that it’s still somewhat that research is ongoing and it does not mean everyone with gum disease will develop heart disease. However, “’The mouth can be a good warning signpost,’ said Ann Bolger, M.D., William Watt Kerr Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. ‘People with periodontitis often have risk factors that not only put their mouth at risk, but their heart and blood vessels, too.’”

Interesting food for thought – just make sure that the food you eat this month is good for your gums, as well as your heart. 

The Effects of Poor Oral Hygiene on your Health

Many people see the mouth as a part of the body that is fairly isolated from health problems that may plague our other organs. In fact, it’s probably commonplace to feel that way. We visit the doctor for checkups and any bodily problems we may be having, be they sickness or disease, and we see the dentist for checkups on the state of our teeth and gums. Rarely is there an overlap in appointments.

However, as the “gateway” to the rest of our body, our mouths can often link to many other health problems that ail us. As WebMD explains, as bacteria builds up, it makes our gums susceptible to infection. This, in turn, leads to our immune system utilizing its resources to fight infection and cause inflammation. That same inflammation can have severe ramifications to many other parts of the body, and cause severe gum disease.,.

Be it diabetes ("Periodontal disease further complicates diabetes because the inflammation impairs the body’s ability to utilize insulin”) or heart disease (gum inflammation has been theorized to cause inflammation in the blood vessels), inflammation in the mouth is by no means isolated.

, The state of your oral health can also often be a predictor of other health problems throughout the body. In an article describing the effects that gum disease can have on other areas of your body, the Mayo Clinic describes the mouth as a “window to your overall health.”

For these reasons, it’s incredibly important that (through healthy brushing and flossing habits, as well as regular visits to the dentist) we do not let bacteria buildup to dangerous, unhealthy levels within our mouths. It’s not just a pearly white smile that you might be compromising, it could be your overall wellbeing!

How does pregnancy affect your oral health?

Pregnancy presents a unique set of challenges affecting oral health. If you are considering getting pregnant, we highly recommend seeing your dentist for a teeth cleaning and exam in advance. However, if you are already pregnant, the second trimester is the best time to receive routine dental care, but you should wait until after the baby is born to have any major procedures or oral surgeries.

It is important to take good care of your teeth and gums while pregnant as the hormonal changes increase the risk of developing gum disease due to the body’s response to plaque. Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth; that is an old wives tale, but there are some common causes of dental health issues that frequently occur during pregnancy:

• Gum problems (gingivitis and/or periodontal disease) 

•  Vomiting

• Cravings for sugary foods and sodas

• Retching while brushing

Practicing good oral hygiene habits is extremely important during pregnancy.

• Continue to brush twice daily and floss

• Eat a well-balanced diet

• Try drinking water infused with fruits, like lemon and strawberry instead of drinking sugary sodas

• Eat foods rich in vitamin C and B12 and increase your calcium intake.

Calcium lowers your risk of osteoporosis and also promotes strong teeth during pregnancy. If you are suffering from morning sickness you may want to carry a toothbrush in your purse as you will need to brush more often to avoid a greater build-up of plaque, but don’t brush immediately. If brushing causes morning sickness, rinse with anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwashes. Also, pay close attention to your gum line and keep it clean.

If you experience a dental emergency during pregnancy consult your dentist and physician to determine the best approach for treatment. Artistic Dental is committed to helping you keep your beautiful smile so you can share it with your baby.

Which Cleans Better: A Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

If you’re in the market for a new toothbrush you may be asking yourself if it’s better to stick with an old-fashioned manual toothbrush or if it’s time to upgrade to an electric one. The American Dental Association states that you can effectively clean your teeth with either, so long as you are using the correct technique. This means the decision really comes down to personal preference.

Before deciding between an electric or manual toothbrush, here are some things to consider:

• Electric toothbrushes can be easier for people who have arthritis or other difficulties moving the brush across their teeth.
• Electric toothbrushes are typically more expensive.
• Some people are more apt to brush their teeth if they’re using an electric toothbrush.
• Some people are bothered by the vibrations from electric toothbrushes.
• Electric toothbrushes typically put less pressure on teeth and gums.
• Manual toothbrushes can be easier to travel with, as they don’t require chargers or batteries.    

Regardless of which type of toothbrush you decide works best for you, make sure you brush twice a day, floss regularly and replace your brush every three months or sooner. If you have had an illness or you see bristles begin to fray and notice they are no longer straight and firm, it’s time to buy a new toothbrush (or replace the brush head on some types of electric toothbrushes). Always make sure you are brushing your teeth and gums properly and thoroughly; if you’re unsure if you’re brushing effectively, consult your dentist during your bi-yearly teeth cleaning.