Tooth Whitening vs. Tooth Cleaning – Which is Best?

29 Jul.,2024

 

Tooth Whitening vs. Tooth Cleaning – Which is Best?

By Dr. Michael Handler

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It&#;s very easy to get confused between getting your teeth whitened and getting them cleaned. Even though most people realize there&#;s a difference, when it comes to booking your appointment it&#;s something we always have to confirm to make sure you&#;re booked for the right procedure. In case you aren&#;t 100% clear on the distinction, we&#;ve boiled it down to a few vital points that will help you know what to ask for to make sure you&#;re getting what you had in mind. 

Teeth Cleaning

The main goal of a  teeth cleaning appointment is to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. This helps to prevent tooth decay and avoid gum disease. The procedure is important for your ongoing oral health and the condition of your mouth, which should be a goal for everyone. 

Dentists usually recommend having a professional teeth cleaning every six months. The technical term for this procedure is dental prophylaxis, which means it&#;s a preventive treatment. During the process, our qualified dental hygienist will use special instruments to scrape the plaque and tartar off the surface of your teeth. It&#;s not possible to remove these just by daily brushing and flossing, no matter how diligent you are. The remaining accumulation creates a breeding ground for bacteria and acids that erode the enamel of teeth, causing cavities to form. 

Tooth Whitening

As positive as regular teeth cleaning is for your oral health, it doesn&#;t usually produce a major change in your tooth colour. The purpose of tooth whitening is to remove stains, which is mainly a cosmetic function. Your teeth can become discoloured by various kinds of food and drink, smoking, medications and health problems. Plaque usually has a yellowish tint, so after its removal you might see some improvement in your tooth colour, but most dental patients want a brighter smile than a cleaning can deliver. 

1. In-Office Whitening

An in-office  tooth whitening procedure uses chemical bleaching agents. Most whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or other substances, which are activated by heat or a blue light. The process usually takes about an hour, and&#;depending on the shade of whiteness you&#;re after&#;might require several visits to achieve the look you want. You can opt to make your teeth 6 to 8 shades lighter, and dentists typically take photos of the various stages of the process so you can see the results at the end. 

2. In-Home Touch-Ups

In-office whitening lasts until your teeth start to get stained again, but you can make this take longer by doing in-home touch-ups. To do this, you&#;ll need to have your dentist take an impression of your teeth and manufacture custom dental trays to fit your mouth. You&#;ll purchase a supply of the bleaching gel and given instructions on how to use it at home. 

Both types of  whitening procedures can occasionally cause tooth sensitivity to develop. This is nothing to worry about and will probably disappear after a couple of days. 

A Place for Both Procedures

Although tooth whitening is popular, it is not a necessity for good health. Its importance depends entirely on your personal preferences. If you feel embarrassed about your stained teeth, or are in the public eye a lot, tooth whitening can give your self-confidence a boost. If maintaining a particular image is a priority for you, a dazzling smile may be very important. 

Teeth cleaning, however, is an important part of your oral hygiene program, and something you should budget to have done regularly whether you opt for tooth whitening or not. Stains themselves aren&#;t harmful and don&#;t damage your health, and often you can prevent deep-seated stains from forming in the first place by brushing and flossing correctly and having frequent professional cleanings. 

Good oral hygiene is especially important for people with  compromised immune systems, as well as pregnant women who shouldn&#;t have tooth whitening until after the baby&#;s birth. 

For more information on getting your teeth cleaned or whitened, please call  our dentists in Scarborough at 416-267- to schedule an appointment, or  click here to book online. 


Teeth Cleaning vs Teeth Whitening

Many people confuse teeth cleaning with teeth whitening. It&#;s important to know that both of these procedures are different and also have different goals. A tooth cleaning is important for maintaining proper dental hygiene, while a teeth whitening has cosmetic benefits such as a boost in confidence.  Described below are some of the differences between teeth cleaning and teeth whitening treatments.

&#;Teeth Cleaning

For more The Difference Between Teeth Whitening and Cleaninginformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

A professional teeth cleaning is very different from the regular cleaning your teeth at home. A teeth cleaning is a procedure done by a professional, specifically a dentist, where they clean your teeth thoroughly. The primary objective of this treatment is to get rid of plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. It is recommended that you go to a professional for teeth cleaning in Summerlin at least every 6 months. People who have gum diseases might have to go to a dentist more often.  Having the necessary knowledge about your own oral health is crucial.  For instance, visiting the dentist for cleanings two times a year (once every six months) ensures clean and healthy teeth and allows the dentists to take preventative measures if needed.

There are mainly two types of teeth cleaning.

Prophylaxis

This is a normal routine teeth cleaning procedure. It is a standard procedure that most people get done every 6 months or so. The prophylaxis process typically uses scrapers to get rid of tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth. This is followed by the next step, which is teeth polishing. Your dentist will use a polishing instrument to get rid of stains and any remaining plaque from your teeth&#;s surface. The last step of the prophylaxis process entails flossing to remove any lingering buildup or substances between your teeth.

Root Scaling and Planing

Root scaling and planing entails deep or advanced cleaning of your teeth. This procedure is typically recommended for those who are displaying indications of gum disease such as gum swelling. The root scaling procedure is conducted with tools that are similar to the ones use in prophylaxis. Since this procedure consists of thorough cleaning, it can be painful which is why a local anesthetic is given to numb the area.

&#;Benefits of Teeth Cleaning

The purpose of a teeth cleanings is not to provide you with a whiter smile but rather a healthier set of teeth. The tartar and plaque removal makes your teeth appear whiter, though. Teeth cleanings in our dental office in Summerlin prevent tooth decay that is usually a result of plaque buildup. They also prevent and offer relief from gum diseases and bad breath. This procedure can also help detect any other serious issues such as decay or oral cancer.

All in all, going to a dentist for a teeth cleaning in Summerlin helps patients ensure healthy oral hygiene.

Teeth Whitening

The purpose of teeth whitening is quite contrary to that of teeth cleaning; it is meant to make your teeth look whiter and brighter. A teeth whitening procedure entails a group of procedures that remove teeth stains caused by smoking, drinking coffee, or other activities that stain teeth. This type of procedure doesn&#;t have any health benefits and is mainly done due to cosmetic and aesthetic purposes.

Stained teeth normally aren&#;t a very important concern from a health aspect as long as the teeth are plaque and tartar-free. While teeth whitening is a safe procedure, a history of tooth sensitivity or weak enamel could be a possible short term side-affect for your teeth. Professional teeth whitening in Summerlin is great for those looking for a brighter and whiter smile.

&#;Benefits of Teeth Whitening

The primary objective and benefit of teeth whitening is to have whiter teeth. By whitening your teeth, you can help your physical appearance and boost your self-confidence. It might also actually lead you to avoid foods that can stain your teeth and improving your health. Having a whiter smile can actually boost your life in positive ways. Such as impressing others with a beautiful smile, in addition to, people are more likely to get hired if their smile appears whiter and prettier than the average smile. Having your teeth whitened will help you in the long run and will boost your confidence.

In Summary

The bottom line is that teeth whitening is more important for the aesthetics of your teeth, while teeth cleaning aims at maintaining the health of your gums and teeth. Although teeth whitening procedures are optional, teeth cleanings are important for good oral health and should be a requirement by your own standards. Are you looking for teeth cleaning or whitening treatments in Summerlin? Our dentist office at Summerlin Dental helps patients receive regular teeth cleanings and teeth whitening treatments. Contact our office today at (702) 829- to speak with a representative and book an appointment.

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