Getting teeth cleaning, or “scaling” done by a professional is the most effective way to eliminate accumulated plaque and tartar. You run the risk of getting gum disease or other health conditions without regular cleanings. Research shows links between gum disease and diabetes, heart disease, stroke, respiratory illness, and other health risks.  

But will your cleaning hurt? Well, that depends on a few factors. Keep reading to find out what occurs during a dental cleaning, the likelihood of experiencing pain, and how to prevent dental cleaning pain.

What Happens at a Dental Cleaning Appointment?

Teeth cleanings are often completed by a dental hygienist. They will first examine your mouth with a small mirror and check for any signs of gingivitis (inflamed gums) or other potential issues. During the cleaning, your hygienist will use a small, metal scaler to remove tartar off your teeth, both above and below the gum line. They may also use an ultrasonic vibrating handpiece to loosen up tartar and plaque. Once your teeth are free of tartar, the hygienist will polish them to remove stain.

The polishing paste has a gritty consistency to effectively remove stain. This is usually mint or berry flavoured. After a thorough polish, they will floss your teeth to remove any leftover plaque or toothpaste. This may be a bit more intense than your flossing sessions at home. Next, you will rinse out your mouth. 

Finally, your hygienist may apply a fluoride treatment. This is done if you have a history of cavities or have an increased risk of developing cavities. This comes in the form of a sticky paste, foam or rinse. It usually stays on for around one minute. The treatment protects your enamel to help resist cavities. This effect can last for several months. 

Following a teeth cleaning, your teeth not only feel smooth, but the shiny surface makes it more challenging for plaque to build up. The frequency of dental cleanings is determined on an individual basis. If your gums are really healthy, your hygienist will suggest 6 month intervals. However, if you have signs of gum disease or “periodontitis,” you may benefit from cleanings every 3-4 months. We suggest scheduling your next dental cleaning before you leave your dentist’s office to ensure you stick to the recommended time frame.

But is a Dental Cleaning Painful?

If you go to a professional regularly for teeth cleanings and you have no oral issues, your visit will probably not hurt. If you’ve skipped a few cleanings, then you’re likely experiencing some discomfort even when you brush at home. So yes, in this case, your cleaning could be painful.

However, there are options for a pain-free cleaning, even if it has been a while!

During the initial exam, your dentist or hygienist will take measurements of your gum pockets (the space under your gums where your floss slides under during flossing). During this procedure, your care provider will notice the level of discomfort you are experiencing. If they notice pain, severe bleeding, or heavy tartar buildup, you will be given the option of having your first cleaning completed with local anaesthetic, or dental freezing to numb your gums. This way, your hygienist will be able to do a thorough cleaning and ensure no tartar is left behind for optimal healing. 

If there is excessive tartar build up, your cleaning may be split into several appointments, with half your mouth frozen at each appointment. Once dental cleanings are a part of your regular routine, you may no longer require freezing for your cleanings.

Some symptoms that would hint toward discomfort in an upcoming appointment could include inflammation in your gums, tooth decay, or sensitivity. If this is the case, it is important that you have an exam with the dentist to evaluate the presence of cavities or gum disease prior to your initial scaling.

Gum disease, or Periodontitis, is the process in which plaque and bacteria buildup on your teeth, resulting in an inflammatory response in your body. Chronic inflammation will lead to the breakdown of the tissues supporting your gum and teeth. Untreated gum disease can result in severe bleeding, bad breath, gum infections, loosening teeth and eventually tooth loss. There is a documented link between uncontrolled periodontal disease and cardiovascular health and diabetes. Knowing the warning signs of gum disease can help you determine the urgency of your next dental appointment.

Gum disease symptoms may include (but aren’t limited to):

• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Bleeding gums when eating, brushing, or flossing
• Loose or separating teeth
• Gums pulling away from teeth
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Persistent bad taste in your mouth
• A change in your bite

Even without experiencing any gum disease symptoms, if it has been six months or more since your last dental visit, it’s crucial to have a dental checkup and cleaning. If you’re worried your cleaning will hurt, make sure you express your concerns to your care providers as there are ways to make potentially painful teeth cleanings hurt less.

How to Make Teeth Cleanings Less Painful

Strategies to minimize pain during a dental cleaning:

• Local anaesthetic to numb sensitive areas (needle required)
• Topical anesthetic gel (no needle, but less effective than local anaesthetic) 
• Nitrous oxide or “Laughing Gas” can be used to reduce anxiety and reduce pain perception
• Ask if you can listen to music or a distracting podcast through your headphones. Some dentist offices even have TVs so you can watch a show or movie. If you’re nervous, the less you concentrate on what’s happening in your mouth, the better.
• Try to make your teeth cleaning as calm as possible by not booking it during peak hours. Opt for the first appointment of the day or during a slow part of the afternoon when dental offices are quieter.

Patients often feel helpless and vulnerable in the dental chair. The key to a successful appointment is open communication with your hygienist. Before the cleaning begins, you should come up with a signal to let your dentist know you’re uncomfortable or need a break. The signal can be as simple as raising your hand. It’s fine to take a small break in the middle of the cleaning if it’s painful and you want to take a few deep breaths.

Perhaps one of the most important strategies for minimizing pain during teeth cleanings is to choose your hygienist carefully. You want a professional who is understanding of any dental anxiety you have, who will take the time to explain the procedure, and listen to your concerns. A skilled hygienist will ensure your cleaning is thorough and gentle as possible.The more knowledgeable your hygienist is, the better they can explain how to prevent oral pain in the future.

An excellent at home routine reduces pain during dental cleanings

The best way to avoid painful teeth cleanings is by keeping up with your dental care, both at home and through professional cleanings. At home, brush your teeth at least twice a day. You don’t need to brush aggressively. It’s fine to be gentle but take the time to clean all of your teeth thoroughly. Your tooth enamel is temporarily weakened after a meal or drinking acidic beverages (like tea or coffee). You can rinse your mouth with water directly following a meal, but wait 20 minutes before brushing your teeth.

An electric toothbrush can clean your teeth more effectively than a standard toothbrush. Hold your toothbrush at an angle for more effective cleaning. Select a toothpaste with fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride lowers your mouth’s acid level, strengthens tooth enamel, and protects your teeth from sensitivity. Several countries, including Canada and the United States, put small amounts of fluoride in drinking water for oral health. If you only drink bottled or well water, you aren’t getting this extra dose of fluoride. You can also get fluoride from varnishes, certain mouth rinses, and gels.

You still need dental checkups and teeth cleanings done by a professional even if your at-home routine is excellent. Most people can clean well above the gum, but plaque and tartar builds up below the gum and in hard to reach places. Your dental hygienist has special tools to clean under the gums and those difficult areas. If you have an appointment coming up and worry about pain because you haven’t been keeping your teeth as clean as you wish you would have, there are strategies to help reduce pain during your appointment.

If your teeth already feel sensitive, you might want to switch the toothpaste you’re using. Changing to a desensitizing toothpaste containing potassium nitrite can minimize root sensitivity. It may take a few weeks to notice the difference.

Flossing every day is also necessary. Flossing is responsible for up to 40% of plaque removal when cleaning your teeth. If you’re skipping the floss, think of how much plaque you’re leaving behind. Each tooth has five surfaces, and when you skip flossing, you aren’t cleaning two of those surfaces. The top method for flossing is to use a piece of floss that is between 15 and 18 inches long and to wrap it around each tooth in a C shape — don’t just go straight up and down.

If you’re not flossing regularly, it might hurt when a dental hygienist does it. The first few times you floss, your gums may hurt or even bleed. Once your gums have healed and are less inflamed, this will stop happening.

Need a Dentist for Your Next Teeth Cleaning?

Are you searching for a dentist who can provide you with personalized dental care? Find the dentist who is the best fit for your needs by signing up for Opencare.

The post Does it hurt to get your teeth cleaned? appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Ever wonder whether the role of a dental assistant might be the right career option for you? Learning more about this position’s typical responsibilities, the required training, and career opportunities can help determine if you should start taking steps to obtain your degree and which route would work best for you. Let’s break it down, starting with what is a dental assistant?

Dental Assistants 101

You’ve likely seen a dental assistant performing a wide variety of tasks around an office. A sort of employee of all trades, a dental assisting career, requires you to interact with patients and handle dental technology that ensures the best service level. The role requires assisting dentists (bet you guessed that one) with everything to ensure the patient’s visit runs smoothly, from preparing the dental operatory, assisting with the procedure, explaining and engaging with patients and maintaining sterilization protocol. With a mix of technical skills and interacting with patients, a dental assisting career offers variety and challenge. It is ideally suited to those who enjoy following a process and giving compassionate care.

What would I do as a dental assistant?

The technical side

Depending on the office, your day as a dental assistant will likely vary. But everyday responsibilities include: working with x-rays, interacting with patients, assisting with procedures, and overseeing sterilization efforts and protocols. This role allows you to flex your technical abilities and be responsible for ensuring all tools are cleaned and cared for. Having organizational skills will be vital, especially when billing and ordering supplies to keep the practice stocked and running efficiently.

The people-person side

If you love helping others, this role requires plenty of face-to-face time with patients. Dental assistants are the ones who settle patients into the exam rooms and ensure they’re comfortable. Patients often look to you for guidance and assurance, especially when they are nervous about the procedure. This role gives you the chance to help patients take the right steps in the upkeep of their oral health. Teaching aftercare techniques and explaining dental procedures to patients of all ages lets you act as a patients’ coach and cheerleader. 

As a dental assistant, you get to help with many interesting dental operations and every day is a different challenge. Suppose you’re the type of person that loves to switch up your daily routine and use your skills in many areas, both clinical and office management . In that case, a dental assisting career might be the ‘perfect fit.’ 

What will I need for a dental assistant career?

Should you decide to follow this career path, there are multiple education and training options available. College-level education will give you the training required for this position’s technical and oral health knowledge requirements. The one year program needed to get your dental assistant degree is available at public and private colleges across the country. Depending on the program, you may get to experience hands-on assisting placements at private clinics, public health clinics and at the local dental university clinics. During your program, you will gain in-depth skills related to taking x-rays, taking impressions, assisting techniques, dental instruments and dental procedures.

Education requirements can vary by province, so be sure to check for dental assisting information for your specific area.

Where are the job opportunities for a dental assistant?

According to the ADA and CDA, the current demand for dental assistants is high. As dental offices grow, the benefits of having a skilled dentist assistant as an employee that can help with patients, supplies, and office management are incredibly beneficial. A great dental assistant is a valued and respected team member. Because of this demand, there are often multiple full-time and part-time positions available. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a promising dental assistant job outlook, with an above-average growth rate of approximately 11% by 2028.

All types of practices, including solo, group, and specialty practices, require dental assistants on their teams with varying levels of responsibility and skills. But don’t forget to look at public health clinics, hospital dental clinics, or school clinics.

With additional schooling, dental assistants can find employment at community college dental schools, universities, technical institutes, or vocational schools.

How do I know if dental assisting is right for me? 

Consider your goals first.  Do you enjoy working with people and find providing excellent care and service rewarding? Do you want responsibility in your position for important tasks? Are you willing to jump in to help others wherever you’re needed? You will need in-person and on the phone communication skills. Updating patient records, emailing suppliers, and using booking systems will mean you need to be comfortable and competent on a computer.

If the questions above got you excited about what a day on the job could look like, start looking into dental assisting career requirements in your area. You got this.

The post What is a dental assistant? appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Boost your immune system and practice these basic tips from an expert to protect yourself against viruses. Oral healthcare is essential to boosting full body wellness, which contributes to your immune system’s ability to fight viral infections.

The only way to prevent yourself from contracting COVID-19 is to practice social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding contact with people who may have the virus.

However, there are things above and beyond social distancing and hand washing, that can help strengthen your immune system’s ability to fight viruses like COVID-19.

Your mouth is one place that can help you ward off illnesses. Things like brushing, flossing, and the right diet are some things that contribute to good oral wellness. But, there’s more you can do to start with your mouth for whole-body wellness. To stay feeling good, it’s important to know what to do to make sure your mouth is as healthy as can be.

Here are six ways to keep your immune system strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good food and drinks mean a healthy mouth and body.

If you’re stuck inside and snacking almost 24/7 – you’re not alone! Being so close to our kitchen means that it’s easy to reach for pop, beer, or a glass of wine. But before you reach for that next drink, consider that acidic drinks will erode your teeth over time. Even things like sports drinks can cause damage to your teeth. Aside from possibly harming your teeth, these types of beverages can hurt your body too. Alcoholic drinks are usually high in sugar and can lead to weight gain and poor gut health. You won’t do your body any favors if you happen to get sick, no matter what the illness is.

Alcohol is especially bad for your mouth and should enjoy it in moderation. Alcohol is dehydrating and can negatively impact your immune system. It could also affect your sleep and tempt you to eat those snacks you were avoiding! Cutting alcohol is a great way to boost your immune system to prevent COVID.

Another thing to avoid is hard foods, like crusty bread, hard nuts, candy, and chewing on ice. All these things can damage your teeth, especially if you have fillings. Stick to softer, healthy foods to boost your overall wellness and keep your teeth healthy.

Stress hurts more than just your teeth

It’s no secret that the whole world is feeling a bit more stressed these days. Whether you’re working from home, have kids off from school, or are stressed about your future, we get it. It’s common for people who feel stressed to grind or clench their teeth, especially at night. Wearing a night guard, no matter how nerdy it looks, will protect your teeth from unnecessary wear and tear.

If you don’t have a night guard and find yourself clenching your teeth or experiencing jaw, head, or neck pain, it’s important you find ways to relax. Things like yoga, meditation, and self-massaging your jaw and temples, are all things that will help your teeth and help you de-stress and unwind. There are many videos online for yoga, meditation, and self-massage, so find your favorites and practice them at least once a day.

Drink more water

Our immune systems thrive off getting enough water. Water is so incredibly important in helping your body function smoothly. Water also helps your mouth stay nice and fresh. Things like preventing illness, all the way to having great skin and hair, are all thanks to our best friend, H20.

A good rule of thumb is that you should be drinking about eight 8-ounce glasses a day, which is about 2 liters. The most popular water bottles are 500mls. If you have one of those lying around, it will take four of those bottles a day to get the recommended amount. Set a goal of finishing a bottle of water in the morning, at lunch, in the afternoon, and with dinner.

If plain water doesn’t float your boat, try lemon water, herbal teas, or other fruit infused teas. Avoid caffeinated drinks since caffeine is a diuretic, which makes you use the bathroom more and require you to drink more water. Coffee can stain your teeth, and it’s acidic, which can damage your teeth.  

If you’re stuck at home all day, you may be drinking coffee more often than usual. Try and set a daily limit and drink an extra glass of water if you enjoy a caffeinated beverage. Changing what you drink and help you prevent covid.

Quit smoking and vaping (or any other bad habits)

It’s no secret that dentists everywhere loath smoking and vaping for the damage it causes to your mouth and teeth, not to mention what they can do to the rest of your body. With more time on our hands, now is possibly the best time to quit those bad habits. Smokers are also higher-risk of complications should they contract COVID-19. This pandemic could be considered a wake-up call for those wanting to quit smoking.

It may also be a great time to practice cooking more at home, eating a healthy diet, or finally getting around to start a garden to grow some veggies. Eating better helps your oral hygiene and your immune system.

Sleep well 

Staying on a schedule can be tough during social isolation, especially if your day starts and ends at home. Good sleep is essential to overall wellness and your oral health. Studies show there is a link between lack of sleep and issues with your mouth, such as periodontitis (deep pockets between your gums and teeth that can cause your teeth to loosen and move around.)

Aim for at least 7-10 hours of sleep. A rested body is a strong body. It’s important for your overall health to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. If you’re having trouble falling to sleep, consider trying a mediation app. Avoid screen time before bed, and skip caffeine and sugar at least a few hours before you’re ready to get some rest to help your body prevent COVID-19..

Healthy mouth, healthy body

Your mouth is so much more than just your smile. Your mouth protects your body from bacteria that can cause illnesses and disease. It is a remarkable vessel that helps you get all the nutrients into your body and keep your immune system strong.

Seeing a dentist regularly can help catch oral diseases early that might impact your immune response. Make the dentist a regular part of your wellness routine.

Just like you take the time to think about how to make a dental appointment, you should also think about all the things you can do to keep your mouth healthy. All these tips will help your immune system fight and prevent viruses like COVID-19. You won’t regret it.

The post 6 ways to strengthen your immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.