Teeth Polishing

Imagine you are going into a meeting with a client or a job interview; the first thing they notice is your smile. White teeth boost your confidence to smile. Teeth polishing does not only enhance your smile; it is also important for oral health. 

What is tooth polishing?

Teeth polishing is a simple dental treatment that cleans and smooths the outer surface of your teeth. It is usually done after scaling, which cleans off the hard plaque and tartar from your teeth. Polishing helps in removing stains from your teeth caused by foods, drinks, or smoking to provide a cleaner and brighter look. Dentists use a soft polishing paste and a rotating brush or a gentle spray of air and powder. The procedure is quick, painless, and often included in regular dental cleanings. It makes your smile look better and also supports good oral hygiene by reducing plaque and keeping teeth cleaner.

Jamaica 26 Dentistry provides teeth polishing services to make your smile shiny and aesthetic.

Types of teeth polishing

There are four main types of teeth polishing.

Coronal Polishing

Dental procedures aimed at improving the appearance of teeth by removing stains from surfaces and making them bright and shiny. It makes teeth smooth after tartar removal. It creates an attractive appeal to teeth and boosts your confidence to smile.

Dentists use a rubber cup or brush dipped into a dental paste and applied to your teeth to remove deposits and plaque.

Therapeutic Polishing

During a dental check-up, this polishing is done to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Over 700 bacteria can live in the roots of your teeth, causing plaque. This is used to clean the roots of the teeth and get rid of bacteria.

The dentists use a mixture of water and baking soda and spray it on your teeth. It produces sound waves for bacteria removal.

Superficial Polishing

Crowns are the dental caps that are placed on teeth for protection. Suppose a patient has a dental filling, a root canal, and a dental cap placed on the teeth. It helps in cleaning crowns and protecting them from bacteria.  

Selective Polishing

During teeth polishing, some stain was left on the teeth surface. Dentists use scaling or other techniques to remove these deposits. Its costs can vary according to treatment.

Polishing tools

Some tools are manual, and some tools are machine driven.

Manual Hand Polishing Tools

Porte Polisher

A porte polisher is a small, handy tool used without a machine. It holds a piece of cotton or polishing material. It is moved slowly by hand to clean teeth. It is useful for soft teeth polishing for patients who have sensitive teeth or for children.

Polishing Strips

Polishing strips are thin, flexible strips coated with a rough surface. Dentists use them to clean and polish the sides of teeth, especially between gaps. It is the best tool for removing stains and smoothing rough surfaces where toothbrushes or polishing cups can’t reach easily.

Engine-driven Tools

Rubber Cups

Rubber cups are soft tools that rotate with the help of a machine. Dentists use them with a special paste to clean the teeth. They softly remove stains and make teeth smooth. Rubber cups are safe and easy to use.

Air Powder Polisher

An air powder polisher sprays air, water, and fine powder to clean teeth. It removes stains and soft plaque without touching the teeth. This tool is quick and gentle. It is best for people who wear braces or have sensitive teeth.

Candidates for teeth polishing

• People with stained teeth caused by tea, smoking, or foods.
• Patients who smooth the teeth and remove remaining plaque after scaling.
• People with no gum disease or tooth decay, but want bright and shiny teeth.
• People with braces need to clean around brackets or remove glue marks.
• People with bad breath.
• Dentists may polish teeth before treatments like fillings, bonding, or whitening to improve results.
• People who want a natural and shiny smile.

Teeth polishing procedure

Oral Examination

The dentist examines your mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, and inner cheeks carefully. The goal is to find dental problems like cavity buildup, gum disease, or infections. It helps the dentist to create a customized treatment plan.

Remove Plaques

Plaque is a soft, sticky layer of bacteria on your teeth. If not cleaned, it hardens into tartar. A tool called a scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar that prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. 

Smoothing and Polishing

Once plaque is removed, the dentist uses a spinning tool with special paste to polish your teeth. This smoothens the surface and removes stains caused by food or drinks. It also provides your teeth with a shiny look. 

Flossing

Flossing removes any leftover food, plaque, or stains between your teeth where a brush can’t reach. It also cleans under the gumline to help prevent gum problems. After polishing, flossing ensures all tooth surfaces are clean. 

Benefits of teeth polishing

• It removes stains from teeth
• It makes teeth smooth and shiny
• It is used to remove plaque buildup 
• It supports daily brushing and flossing
• Teeth polishing make it harder for germs to stick to teeth
• It improves the way your teeth look
• It keeps the gums healthier
• It ensures a clean and confident smile

Aftercare Tips and Precautions

• Avoid tobacco smoking.
• Brush twice a day.
• Floss daily.
• Rinse your mouth with water after every meal.
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Use a straw when drinking colored beverages.
• Maintain regular dental checkups.
• Eat a healthy diet.

Teeth polishing at home

Teeth polishing at home is an easy way to make your teeth look cleaner and feel smoother using products you can buy without a prescription. You can try special polishing toothpaste, whitening strips, or polishing kits that are used to remove stained surfaces. Some electric toothbrushes have polishing heads that help in whitening the teeth. Home polishing can keep your smile bright, but can’t replace a professional cleaning by a dentist. Be careful not to use strong or rough products that might hurt your teeth or cause sensitivity. Always use gentle products that dentists recommend and follow their instructions. For the best care, visit Jamaica 26 Dentistry every six months for teeth polishing.

FAQs

What does teeth polishing do?

Teeth polishing cleans your teeth by removing stains, germs, and plaque. It makes your teeth look brighter and feel smooth and clean.

What do dentists use to polish teeth​?

Dentists use soft rubber cups and special paste to polish your teeth. These tools help clean your teeth gently and make them shine.

Does polishing teeth damage enamel?

Polishing can hurt your enamel if not done in the right way. Enamel protects your teeth, and damage can make them sensitive to hot and cold.

How to polish your teeth at home?

At home, you can polish teeth gently with baking soda or activated charcoal. Don’t scrub too hard.

What is the bar used for polishing teeth by an orthodontist?

Orthodontists use a tool called a prophy angle. It holds polishing brushes or cups to clean teeth during dental care.