Does dental cleaning make your teeth whiter?

The short answer is yes!

There’s something about that fresh feeling after a dental cleaning that leaves your teeth smooth and polished. You might also notice that your teeth appear whiter and your smile a little brighter after a routine cleaning. Here’s why:

What’s involved in teeth cleaning in Calgary?

A dental hygienist examines your teeth and gums for gum disease, cavities, plaque, and tartar during a dental cleaning. A small instrument called a scaler is then used to remove plaque and tartar between the teeth and around the gum lines.

Your hygienist will then use a professional-grade electric toothbrush with a toothpaste that’s a little more grittier than commercial products. After rinsing, you’ll be given a fluoride treatment that protects your teeth against cavities. Because teeth cleaning effectively removes plaque and tartar, you’ll notice that your teeth appear whiter after a session.

However, teeth whitening is not the goal of dental cleanings and is not a substitute for professional teeth whitening in Calgary.

What do dental cleanings help with?

Once dental cleaning is completed, your dentist will examine your mouth for:

• Tooth decay
• Signs of gum disease
• Early signs of cavities
• Damaged teeth
• Cysts or growths
• Signs of inflammation on your tongue and roof or floor of your mouth
• Teeth spacing, positioning, and bite

Routine exams with teeth cleaning in Calgary are meant to assess the health of your teeth and gums. This helps your dentist detect signs of problems early on before they become more serious issues.

However, if you’re looking for teeth whitening in Calgary, the procedure is much different from regular teeth cleaning.

Teeth whitening in NW Calgary

Professional teeth whitening involves fitting your mouth for special trays. A powerful whitening agent is applied that can whiten teeth up to eight shades. While over-the-counter whitening products are Health Canada approved, the strips aren’t made to fit your mouth. Unlike professional teeth whitening, over-the-counter strips aren’t designed to penetrate the natural grooves of each tooth. What you may end up with are uneven results.

If you want to ensure the procedure is done correctly and safely, only a qualified dentist can administer professional teeth whitening in Calgary.