Professional tooth cleaning

Clean teeth not only have an aesthetic value, they are also important for the health of their owner. In order to avoid the risk of inflammation in the oral cavity or of caries or periodontal disease, it is advisable to have a professional tooth cleaning to have carried out. With this, the surfaces of all teeth are cleaned and treated in such a way that a new build-up of dental plaque is made difficult, and the spaces between the teeth are cleaned. Professional teeth cleaning is recommended by the dentist, but it is carried out by a trained specialist assistant or a dental hygienist.

What is professional teeth cleaning?

Professional teeth cleaning is a procedure that is performed by the dentist in a dental office. Teeth cleaning should be carried out on average once or twice a year if necessary.

The professional tooth cleaning is a procedure performed by the dentist in a dental office. Teeth cleaning should be carried out once or twice a year on average, as recommended by specialists.

The frequency of the recommended professional tooth cleaning is determined differently from patient to patient. We are talking about tooth cleaning that is particularly precise. This means that with professional treatment, in contrast to conventional tooth cleaning, each individual tooth is thoroughly cleaned. Of course, professional teeth cleaning does not replace daily dental care.

Professional teeth cleaning takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the treatment. The costs for this vary as they are determined by the dentist (usually between 50 and 100 euros). Usually the health insurance does not cover the costs.

Function, effect, goals & benefits

A professional tooth cleaning is recommended to the patient in the dental office if the doctor deems it necessary. Of course, the patient can also decide for himself how often he wishes to have his teeth cleaned. A specialist then determines how often a treatment should be carried out each year.

Determining the rhythm depends on many factors. Studies show that people who have normal access to good quality tap water are less likely to need professional teeth cleaning. For teeth prone to tooth decay or other dental diseases, treatment should be carried out every 3 to 6 months.

Since a normal toothbrush can only clean 60 percent of the tooth surfaces and even an electric toothbrush is not able to completely clean the spaces in between, despite its better cleaning efficiency, professional tooth cleaning makes sense. The dentist recommends the patient to have teeth cleaning if necessary, which is by no means necessary for everyone.

Patients who are at an increased risk of periodontitis or tooth decay, who wear braces, have particularly sensitive gums, bridges, implants or crowns, are primarily offered professional teeth cleaning. Older people also belong to the target group of this form of treatment. Professional teeth cleaning is often offered to maintain dental health.

After a thorough examination of the teeth, the plaque is first removed. Both an ultrasound device and special hand instruments can be used for this purpose. After the deposits have been removed, they are blown away with an air-water-salt mixture. The gaps are next cleaned. This is done with dental floss and small brushes.

Finally, the teeth are polished so that the surface of the teeth becomes smooth, which makes it difficult for dental plaque to reposition itself. After the teeth have been polished, a fluoride-containing varnish is applied to the teeth to protect the tooth surface. The treatment is carried out by dental prophylaxis assistants, dental assistants or dental hygienists.

Risks, side effects & dangers

The professional tooth cleaning has been criticized for allegedly attacking teeth. If the patient is taking medication to thin their blood, they should inform the doctor about this prior to treatment.

The gums may be injured during the treatment. If the patient wears a pacemaker or has artificial heart valves, he should also let the doctor know before the professional teeth cleaning so that he can take the correct measures.

The costs for professional teeth cleaning are not covered by the statutory health insurance. The treatment is usually credited to privately insured patients. It is therefore advisable to first find out what is actually being carried out, as the costs for professional teeth cleaning are based on the amount of work.