How Much Does Teeth Cleaning Cost?
Teeth cleaning by a dentist is one of the basic elements of oral hygiene care. It removes tartar from your teeth in a more complete way than just brushing at home and is recommended every 6 months to keep your teeth in good health. In this article, you can see what this procedure involves, how much it costs and whether it is painful.
Where does tartar come from?
Dental plaque, or mineralized plaque that cannot be removed at home, is a fairly common phenomenon and is therefore often considered the norm. Meanwhile, the truth is quite brutal: the cause of dental plaque is insufficient oral hygiene. If teeth are not brushed regularly, too rarely or incorrectly, a soft deposit will appear on the surface of the teeth. At this point, it can still be removed by thorough brushing and flossing, but when mineralization (hardening, petrification) occurs, brushing alone will not help. Then professional help is needed.
How is tartar removed at the dentist’s office?
Removal of tartar, or technically speaking – scaling, is performed with an ultrasonic scaler that causes the breaking up of dental plaque, which must be removed from the oral cavity. There are several contraindications to the use of ultrasonic scaling. One of them is a pacemaker. People who have one should inform their dentist about this fact. People who have problems with retinal detachment are excluded from tartar removal with ultrasound. Scaling is usually followed by sandblasting to remove deposits from the tooth surface.
Is tartar removal painful?
The less tartar there is, the less unpleasant it will be to remove it, so it is really worth taking care of your oral and dental hygiene. Supragingival scaling, which involves the visible part of the dental plaque, should be considered uncomfortable rather than painful. In the case of gingival recession and exposed tooth necks, the scaling procedure may be more bothersome. Subgingival scaling, on the other hand, can actually hurt. If the patient wishes, the doctor will apply an anesthetic. Removing tartar can cause temporary tooth sensitivity and sometimes even pain. These symptoms usually disappear after a few days.
How much does tartar removal cost?
Removing tartar from teeth is a relatively cheap procedure compared to the prices of other dental services. It often ranges from $75 to $175. A package of scaling, sandblasting and fluoridation will cost slightly more. Scaling is the removal of tartar, sandblasting is the removal of dark deposits, and fluoridation is the application of a preparation to previously cleaned tooth surfaces that strengthens their structure.
Why is it worth removing tartar?
Not only for aesthetics, although that is also very important. However, the effects of tartar on teeth are much more complex and unpleasant. The presence of tartar accelerates the development of caries and the appearance of new cavities, causing hypersensitivity and bleeding gums, as well as eventually periodontitis. Additionally, after a carefully performed cleaning procedure, teeth become slightly lighter.
Recommendations after tartar removal
Immediately after the scaling procedure, the patient should refrain from drinking coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking cigarettes. These products could cause discoloration of the teeth. It is also worth replacing the toothbrush with a new one to avoid reintroducing bacteria into the oral cavity.
In Conclusion
We have outlined why it is important to get your teeth cleaned by a dentist as part of your overall oral hygiene routine. It is a relatively cheap procedure and will save you money on more costly procedures that you could need if you ignore this routine. Contact us today for your appointment!