What Is Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaning and Is It Better Than Manual Scaling?

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In order to maintain good oral health, your dentist will likely advise you to avoid bad habits like smoking or overindulging in sweets. At the same time, they’ll encourage you to practice good habits like brushing and flossing on a regular basis.

It’s possible that some of these behaviors are so blatant that you’re not even aware of them. Some people recognize the need of cleaning and floss their teeth, but they question the necessity of going to the dentist every six months.

Well, no matter how vigorously you brush your teeth, you’re going to need professional help to take care of the more stubborn deposits of tartar. An ultrasonic tooth cleaning is a dental professional treatment.

It provides a more thorough clean than everyday oral hygiene practices. Even those that include religious brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.

Keep on reading for our full breakdown of everything you need to know about ultrasonic teeth cleaning.

Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaning 101: The Basics

Considering that the majority of American adults are too anxious to go to the dentist on a consistent basis, let’s start with some of the basics.

Your dentist will use an ultrasonic scaler to remove tartar from the surfaces of your teeth during ultrasonic dental cleaning.

Hardened tartar is physically shattered by the ultrasonic scaler’s sound waves. Those vibrate at an imperceptible, very low frequency. The dirt is washed away by the ultrasonic scaler’s water jet, leaving your teeth feeling smooth and fresh.

There are patients with a lot of dental tartar that can’t be removed with a toothbrush or dental floss at home. Besides, there are people who would need a lot of scraping with a standard metal scaler. If you belong to either one of those categories, you’ll find that ultrasonic dental cleaning is a great option.

It’s also helpful for those with periodontal disease who need root planning and scaling of their teeth. Periodontal disease may lead to the formation of periodontal pockets. Those are bacteria-filled spaces under the gum line.

Gum and bone tissue may be attacked by the bacteria in periodontal pockets. This can lead to tooth loss and other issues and concerns. Ultrasonic dental cleaning may assist with root planing and scaling.

This provides a thorough dental cleaning that can help alleviate the issues caused by periodontal disease.

Benefits of Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaner

The following are the primary distinctions between the two approaches.

Ultrasonic teeth cleaning is rather calming and relaxing. It’s also as comprehensive and rigorous when compared to manual scaling.

Also, ultrasonic cleaning provides a multi-tiered approach to cleaning. That said, it may be contradicted in certain people, for example, pacemakers owing to the sound waves. So, chat to your dental hygienist to find out the best path ahead for your oral health to be the best it can be.

If you’ve been scouring the internet for the best “dentist near me“, you’ll want to check out Slone Dental.

Now, we can explore the perks of going with an ultrasonic dental tooth cleaner, instead of manual scaling.

Save You Money and Time

Unlike manual scaling, this process is significantly faster.

If you have a lot of tartar buildup, traditional scaling might take up to 2 hours. Ultrasonic teeth cleaning takes around 30 minutes.

Reduces Tartar Significantly

When it comes to eliminating plaque and tartar, ultrasonic teeth cleaning works equally as well as manual scaling.

Ultrasonic scalers, in particular, have three characteristics that might make them more effective. This effectiveness shows in breaking up the ugly dental goo.

In comparison to traditional manual scalers, ultrasonic scalers have a much smaller tip. This allows them to reach deeper into dental pockets for a more thorough cleaning.

There is water spritzed by the ultrasonic scalers after vibration. This helps to dislodge accumulated plaque and tartar.

Better Stain Removal

Plaque accumulation contributes to the yellowing and staining of teeth. Using ultrasonic teeth cleaning thus makes sense if you want shinier teeth.

It’s debatable, though, whether or not it makes them more white than with conventional scaling. Theoretically, if done correctly, both methods should help lessen the visibility of stains.

More Comfortable Than Manual Scaling

Traditional manual scaling necessitates a lot of pressure on the tooth from the dentist, which may be uncomfortable and even painful for the patient.

The metal scaler might puncture or damage the gum line if your dentist is untrained.

Vibrations and water are used in ultrasonic tooth cleaning, making it more gentle and effective.

Less Damaging to the Enamel

There is no surprise that using ultrasonic scalers causes less damage to tooth enamel because of the above-mentioned increased pressure on the teeth and the potential for dental user mistakes.

We strongly advise ultrasonic cleaning over manual scaling if you have sensitive teeth or poor enamel.

So, have been wondering if ultrasonic teeth cleaning is safe? The answer is a resounding yes.

Warning: Don’t Try This at Home

Remember, these are cleaning procedures for professionals only. Do not try them at home.

You might create tissue trauma, causing your roots to be exposed and putting you at risk for gum recession, infection, or ulcers, in addition to injuring your sensitive gum tissue.

There is a risk of soft tissue damage with DIY/at-home procedures, especially around the mouth.

When you try to clean your tooth enamel, you run the risk of scratching it, which might lead to dental sensitivity or other problems. Maintaining proper oral hygiene at home is the best bet, with more intense cleaning procedures like scaling and root planing remaining in the hands of your dentist.

Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning: Explained

Humans have always feared the unknown. When it comes to oral health, it’s much better for both your mental and physical health to learn about your planned procedures before sitting in the dentist’s chair.

Hopefully, our guide has shed some light on ultrasonic tooth cleaning. And, if you liked reading our article, then you’ll love checking out our additional tips and strategies. All of them will be posted in our health and lifestyle sections.