During routine trips to your dentist, your teeth will be cleaned as well as checked. This generally involves using a manual scaler, which you'll probably recognize as the metal pick-like object your dentist uses to probe your teeth and gums.
However, you can now opt for ultrasonic dental cleanings. These cleanings use an ultrasonic scaler that produces vibrations in order to clean your teeth, and they offer several advantages.
Here are just four reasons to speak to your dentist about ultrasonic scaling.
1. Great for Removing Plaque and Tartar
Plaque is a biofilm that occurs naturally in your mouth, and it hardens into tartar when not removed via brushing. Both are bad for your oral health, and tartar is so hard that it can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist. However, plaque and tartar can be removed very easily and effectively using ultrasonic cleaning devices.
The vibrations they put out are faster than the speed of sound, so they can blast away any plaque or tartar. Ultrasonic cleaning is especially good at removing plaque that develops below the gum line, so it's very good at preventing gum disease.
2. Can Reach Trickier Areas
While traditional dental scaling tools work well, ultrasonic scalers are often better at reaching difficult nooks and crannies, especially towards the back of your mouth. This is because they simply need to be positioned correctly and then activated. They even have special tips designed to reach challenging areas. In contrast, the fact traditional scalers need to be moved manually can make cleaning those hard-to-reach areas even harder.
3. Reduces Your Time in the Chair
Ultrasonic cleaning is a great choice for busy patients since it generally takes less than half the time required for manual scaling. This means you'll be able to get in and out much faster than before, and the reduced treatment time can also make it easier to schedule appointments. This isn't just convenient – it's also great for your oral health since it means you'll be less tempted to go longer than you should between visits to the dentist.
4. Less Likely to Produce Stress or Discomfort
Patients often avoid dental scaling because they dislike the way it feels. Though your dentist won't ever do harm, the feeling of a manual scaler being scraped across your teeth can be unsettling, especially when you can also hear it scratching away tartar. Ultrasonic scalers don't produce the same sounds or sensations, so they often make patients feel more at ease.
Contact a dentist in your area for more info.
