Teeth Cleaning Vs Polishing: An In-Depth Comparison

When people experience tooth pain, they don’t just experience physical discomfort but also mental anguish. You will not be able to enjoy daily activities, eat comfortably, or smile confidently. The two most common solutions you may consider to improve your oral hygiene and alleviate pain include teeth cleaning vs polishing.

Most dental patients consider the two procedures to be the same because they both improve oral health. However, that’s not the case. If you’re considering either or both treatments, let us help you clear up your misconceptions about them.

What Is Teeth Cleaning?

Teeth cleaning may seem an uncomfortable procedure at first glance, but that’s not the case. It is a basic cleaning treatment that will enhance your oral health and quality of life. The procedure’s main focus is to clean your gum line, remove plaque, and make your teeth appear neat.

What Is Teeth Polishing?

Teeth polishing is a procedure in which a dentist in Bridgeport will apply a polishing paste to your teeth. The material aims to make teeth shine and restore confident smiles. It also smooths teeth surfaces to reduce visible stains and eliminate plaque.

What Happens At The Dentist’s Office In Teeth Cleaning?

Knowing what happens in a teeth cleaning can help you ease your concerns about the procedure and its safety. Let’s look at the complete steps of a dental cleaning:

1.  Oral Inspection

Your dentist’s first concern will always be making a correct dental diagnosis. This is why they will examine your teeth and oral cavity to determine whether you require teeth cleaning. An inspection also helps the professional identify any gum or other issues that must be dealt with before the cleaning.

2.  Scaling

If your dentist in Bridgeport has confirmed the necessity of a teeth cleaning, they will start the process with scaling. Dental experts use a scaler to:

●      Remove plaque, tartar, and calculus (hardened plaque)

●      Clean bacterial accumulations around teeth

●      Dislodge debris stuck between teeth

The vibrations and stream of water during scaling remove deposits that cannot be cleared with regular tooth brushing at home.

3.  Electric Brushing

Now that your teeth are free of debris, plaque, and other deposits around your teeth, the dentist will initiate dental deep cleaning. This is done with an electric toothbrush and special paste that gives your teeth a neat look.

4.  Flossing

For a comprehensive experience, most dentists use a water flosser to clean teeth after brushing them. The device’s high pressure ensures the removal of stuck food and other particles that were not cleared in the earlier steps.

5.  Fluoride Rinsing

Lastly, the dentist in Bridgeport will ask you to rinse your mouth with a liquid enriched with fluoride. The step restores essential minerals that enamel (the protective layer of the teeth) requires for remaining an active barrier to contaminants.

What Happens At The Dentist’s Office In Teeth Polishing?

Teeth cleaning and polishing are different procedures with different steps. Here is what happens at a dentist’s office during teeth polishing in Ontario:

1.  Oral Examination

Just like teeth cleaning, a polishing procedure also begins with an oral examination. Your cosmetic dentist in Bridgeport will check your teeth for stains, damage, and cavities. They will also determine whether polishing will be useful in restoring your smile and oral health.

2.  Tartar Scraping

A professional will scrape plaque and tartar from your teeth to create a clean surface on which polish can be applied later. This action enhances the results of teeth polishing by ensuring maximal restoration.

3.  Teeth Polishing

Your dentist will use a motorized instrument with a rubber cap on which polish is applied to make your teeth shine. The device uses rotational movements to smooth your teeth surfaces and apply polish on them effectively.

4.  Fluoride Application

The treatment finishes with the application of fluoride that rebuilds any enamel that eroded during the procedure. Fluoride benefits oral health by protecting teeth from stains and contaminants such as bacteria.

Teeth Cleaning Vs Polishing: What Is The Difference?

Now that you understand what teeth cleaning and polishing are, you may be wondering where the difference lies. Let’s sum up the teeth cleaning vs polishing debate by looking at their distinctive features:

1.  Benefits

Teeth cleaning and polishing both support your oral health by improving oral hygiene. However, their benefits differ slightly because of the varying procedures. A dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar that may lead to gum disease later.

Meanwhile, teeth polishing mainly brightens teeth by applying a shining polish paste. Sometimes a cleaning may be followed by polishing for maximal results.

2.  Comfort Level

Dental cleaning and polishing are routine procedures, which is why they’re gentle. The former procedure may cause some mild sensitivity if you have suffered from heavy tartar accumulation. However, this discomfort disappears within a few hours or a day.

A tooth polishing is a more gentle treatment than professional dental cleaning. You will likely not experience pain or sensitivity after the procedure because the polish is applied with a soft rubber cap.

3.  Aesthetic Appeal

If your main reason for a dental procedure is aesthetic restoration of teeth, you may benefit from teeth polishing more. It is designed to enhance your smile by focusing on the cosmetic aspects of teeth.

Meanwhile, a teeth cleaning helps you avoid gum disease and other dental problems. It focuses on improving your overall oral health by getting rid of bacteria, plaque, and calculus.

4.  Treatment Category

Teeth cleaning and polishing fall into different categories within dental care. Cleaning is considered a preventive treatment, protecting teeth and gums from disease.

Polishing, on the other hand, is a cosmetic dental treatment. It improves the look of teeth rather than addressing deeper health concerns.

FAQs

Are Teeth Cleaning And Polishing The Same?

No, teeth cleaning and polishing are not the same procedures. The former is a preventive dentistry treatment that improves oral health by reducing risk factors of dental diseases through plaque, tartar, and deposit removal. Meanwhile, polishing is a cosmetic treatment designed to enhance the shine of your teeth.

Is Cleaning And Polishing Teeth Painful?

Dental cleaning may lead to slight discomfort after the procedure, but it is not a painful treatment. Polishing is also not a painful process because of the gentle instruments.

Is Teeth Cleaning And Polishing Safe?

Yes, teeth cleaning and polishing are safe procedures that are performed routinely at dental clinics. This is especially true if you’re getting the treatment from a qualified dentist in Bridgeport and Kitchener-Waterloo.

What Are Teeth Cleaning And Polishing Side Effects?

Mild sensitivity or gum soreness may occur after cleaning and polishing. These effects are temporary and usually resolve within days, leaving teeth cleaner and healthier overall.

Is Scaling And Polishing Of Teeth Worth It?

Yes, scaling and polishing help remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains. Regular treatments support gum health, improve breath, and maintain brighter smiles, making them a valuable part of preventive care.

Teeth Cleaning Vs Polishing: Consider Your Options With KWC Dental

Teeth cleaning vs polishing differences include their process and benefits. The common feature of both treatments is that they improve oral health and restore your confident smile.

Whether you require a dental cleaning or polishing, qualified professionals at KWC Dental can help you. We offer both treatments routinely in Ontario to help people avoid tooth and gum diseases. Book your appointment today to collaborate with us for improved oral health.