Cleaning your teeth is essential if you want to keep your bright shining smile in premium condition, and there are many methods available to you. Some of these you can perform at home as part of your daily routine, and some will be undertaken at your dentist. Of course maintaining your smile is only one reason for cleaning your teeth, dental health and the prevention of infection and tooth decay are essential outputs of regular cleaning.

The Dental Hygienist

Your dental hygienist is your main ally and your first stop for the best and most thorough teeth cleaning. Your hygienist's role is to clean and polish your teeth following and in tandem with your regular oral examination. In addition, your hygienist will give advice and guidance on all aspects of the oral hygiene regime that you should follow at home.

Polishing the Teeth

Following scraping and cleaning of plaque from the teeth the final step of a regular cleaning routine will be polishing the teeth. Your dentist or hygienist will usually use a high-speed air polisher or a rubber tipped polisher. Polishers generally have a high pressure water jet to eliminate any traces of plaque remaining on the teeth and gums. The end result will be smooth feeling teeth that look shiny and bright and feel clean and healthy.

Deep Cleaning

This treatment can be performed by a dental hygienist, your dentist, or a periodontist, and is an advanced, thorough treatment performing an oral cleaning procedure below the gum line. Deep cleaning is commonly used in periodontal (gum) maintenance to remove plaque and stop infection from becoming periodontal disease. The treatment consists of scaling and root planing (removal of deep plaque below the gum line), and smoothing the tooth root to eliminate attachment surfaces for plaque.

Deep cleaning is not a regular procedure, but is generally considered for patients who have not visited a dentist in many years. The removal of deep plaque can be traumatic for some patients, and sedation may be required.

Dental Self-Care

Home dental care is one of the most important aspects of good dental health, and can be one the easiest to get wrong. Twice daily brushing, combined with effective flossing, is agreed by dentists and hygienists to be the best way to combat infection and tooth decay. With the availability of many 'designed for home' appliances and preparations to assist with at home dental care; putting together and maintaining an effective dental health routine is within everybody's capability these days.

Flossing

An invaluable tool in the dental care armoury, flossing is one of the most crucial aspects of cleaning the teeth and gums. Flossing removes plaque, bacteria and particles of food from between the teeth and gums. While brushing is undoubtedly essential, flossing is vital to get at the places that your brush will not reach. Dental floss now comes in a wide variety of thicknesses and types, including several flavours. Try several different types until you find one that is easiest and most effective for you.

Toothpaste

Amongst all the toothpastes you will find on the shelf at your local supermarket or pharmacy, the very basic essential you need to keep teeth clean and healthy is a good quality, fluoride toothpaste. Watch out for whitening toothpastes and whitening kits, they may contain abrasives or acids that can wear down the tooth enamel with continued use.

With a mixture of regular and effective home dental care and regular visits to your dentist and hygienist, your teeth and gums stand their best chance of staying problem free, and rewarding you with a dazzling smile that you will be proud to show off.

The information above is for your general information only, and does not replace the need to seek personal advice from a qualified dental health professional.

And here we come to another hugely important question - How do I find the best dentist in my area, and what do I need to know before I go?