Teeth cleaning and polishing are routine dental procedures designed to maintain oral hygiene and prevent dental problems. These treatments are typically performed by a dental hygienist during a regular check-up and play a key role in preventing gum disease, cavities, and other oral health issues. 1. Teeth Cleaning (Scaling) Teeth cleaning, or scaling, involves the removal of plaque, tartar (calculus), and stains from the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth, and if not removed, it hardens into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed with regular brushing and flossing, which is why professional cleaning is necessary. Steps in Teeth Cleaning: Examination: The dentist or hygienist starts by examining your teeth and gums to assess the condition of your oral health. Scaling: Using specialized instruments like a hand scaler or ultrasonic scaler, the dental professional carefully removes plaque and tartar from your teeth, especially around the gum line and between teeth where it’s hard to reach with a toothbrush. Flossing: After scaling, the dental hygienist will floss between your teeth to remove any remaining debris. Teeth cleaning helps prevent gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) and cavities, improving your overall dental health. 2. Teeth Polishing Teeth polishing is typically done after scaling. It makes the surface of your teeth smooth and helps remove surface stains, giving them a clean, shiny appearance. While polishing doesn't provide therapeutic benefits like scaling, it can enhance the aesthetics of your smile and prevent the accumulation of plaque. Steps in Teeth Polishing: Polishing Paste: A gritty polishing paste is applied to the teeth, usually with a small rubber cup attached to a handpiece. Polishing Process: The dental hygienist moves the rubber cup over your teeth to polish the surfaces. The paste is mildly abrasive, helping to remove surface stains from things like coffee, tea, or tobacco.

A root canal treatment is a dental procedure performed to save a tooth that has been badly infected or decayed. The treatment involves removing the damaged or infected pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth), cleaning and disinfecting the interior, and then sealing the tooth to prevent further infection. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what happens during a root canal: 1. Diagnosis Your dentist or endodontist will take X-rays to determine the extent of the infection and check the condition of the surrounding bone. 2. Anesthesia Local anesthesia is administered to numb the affected tooth and surrounding areas. This ensures that the patient feels minimal discomfort during the procedure. 3. Removing the Pulp After anesthesia, the dentist creates a small opening in the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals. The infected or damaged pulp tissue is then carefully removed using specialized dental tools. 4. Cleaning and Disinfection Once the pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth, including the root canals, is thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and shaped. This helps remove any remaining bacteria and prevents further infection. 5. Filling the Canals After cleaning, the empty root canals are filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This material seals the space to prevent bacteria from re-entering. The access hole created in the tooth is temporarily sealed until a permanent restoration is placed. 6. Restoration After the root canal is completed, the tooth will need to be restored. Most of the time, this involves placing a dental crown over the tooth to protect it and restore its full function, as the tooth may become more brittle after treatment. 7. Aftercare Some discomfort or mild pain can be expected for a few days after the procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers are often recommended, and following your dentist’s post-treatment instructions is important for proper healing. Why Might You Need a Root Canal? Deep Decay: When a cavity reaches the pulp of the tooth. Cracked or Chipped Tooth: If a tooth is cracked or chipped deeply enough to expose the pulp. Trauma: A traumatic injury that affects the tooth’s nerve. Repeated Dental Procedures: Multiple procedures on the same tooth can irritate the pulp, causing inflammation. Benefits of a Root Canal It saves the natural tooth. It eliminates pain and infection. It prevents the need for extraction and further dental procedures.