Teeth Cleaning Vs. Teeth Whitening – Choose Wisely

An aesthetic, beautiful appearance is necessary for a positive social influence. Over time, people tend to spend more on their physical looks to make them more attractive, and first comes the smile. 

Thus, gentle dentistry is now a hot topic, and individuals are now more focused on advanced dental treatments to smile brighter than before. But many aren’t well aware to choose among the most popular dental procedures, i.e., teeth cleaning vs. teeth whitening. In short, teeth cleaning is a preventive procedure including removing both extrinsic and intrinsic stains, but whitening includes only removing the external ones. 

 In fact, it’s not just a matter of looks; taking care of your oral hygiene is primarily important for overall general health and also a feeling of admiration for yourself.  

We will explain teeth cleaning and teeth whitening in more detail so you can choose the right one for your needs. Keep in touch with us. 

Teeth Cleaning Vs Teeth Whitening – A Comparative Analysis

Teeth cleaning and teeth whitening are both popular preventive dentistry procedures meant to keep teeth healthy and beautiful. While they seem quite similar, both have several different purposes and, as such, results. Let’s discuss each separately in more detail, starting with teeth cleaning and then teeth whitening. 

FactorTeeth CleaningTeeth Whitening
PurposeProphylaxis treatment to remove stains, plaque, tartar, and maintain oral healthCosmetic procedure to elevate the appearance of teeth, i.e., smiling
ProcedureRemoval of intrinsic and extrinsic stains, tartar, and plaque using specialized tools and techniquesApplication of whitening agents like gel, strips, and laser activation to clean teeth and lighten their color
Cost Analysis Cost Effective Expensive 
Time DurationLong procedure with multiple visits Single visit procedure 
Associated RisksMinimum Risk, i.e., nausea Teeth Sensitivity and Gums Bleeding
Professional SupervisionPerformed by a dental professional in a well-equipped dental clinicSelf-administered with over-the-counter products, but professional supervision is recommended for optimal results
FrequencyRecommended every 6 months for optimal oral health maintenanceVaries depending on individual needs and the desired level of whitening
teeth-whitening-and-cleaning-before-and-after-image
Demonstration: 1st one is Teeth cleaning and 2nd one is teeth whitening

What is Teeth Cleaning? – A Dentists Perspective

Teeth cleaning, also called dental prophylaxis, is a preventive procedure used to remove both intrinsic and extrinsic stains, tartar, and plaque from teeth. However, the primary purpose of the teeth-cleaning procedure is to prevent gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), tooth decay (cavities), and bad breath (halitosis) by extracting the microorganisms (especially bacteria) and plaque that cause these problems. So, overall, it helps us improve our oral hygiene as well as general health. 

Professional Teeth Cleaning 

Although “teeth cleaning” and “professional teeth cleaning” are the same procedure, the latter refers to the protective treatment done by a trained dentist or dental hygienist in a well-equipped dental clinic. It is a more detailed examination process than regular teeth cleaning. 

Generally, expert dentists usually recommend professional teeth cleaning in 6 months. However, one who suffers from dental abscesses needs to visit the dentist’s clinic more often. 

Types of Teeth Cleaning 

After understanding the basics of teeth cleaning, it’s also necessary to consider teeth cleaning costs. Hence, it’s equally important to know different dental cleaning procedures so that the person can choose the best one according to their needs. 

Prophylaxis 

If you are suffering from gum disease or tooth decay, prophylaxis teeth cleaning is your first procedure. It is a day routine treatment, and few people have to go through for every six months. Hence, the whole procedure takes 40 to 60 minutes without any pain or suffering. The steps are as follows: 

Scrapping 

As a basic step, the Dentists use a dental scrapper or dental probe to remove supragingival tartar and plaques from your teeth. 

Polishing 

After tartar removal, the next procedure is polishing. For this purpose, the oral health professional uses specific polishing instruments, such as an electric toothbrush and toothpaste. The main purpose of teeth polishing is to remove chromogenic stains and any superficial plaque from your teeth. 

Flossing 

It’s the last step of prevention, and it includes removing the interproximal plaques (in between teeth). 

Note: It’s recommended to obtain a dentist’s opinion before preventive treatment as it can cause pain and bleeding in case of gingivitis. 

Root Canal and Planning 

A root canal and planning treatment is often recommended for individuals suffering from infected and inflamed pulps (teeth’ soft tissue) caused by tooth decay or trauma and who have symptoms of red, swollen, and bleeding gums (tissue connecting the teeth to the jawbone). With time, the infection may transform into more severe manifestations, including pulp necrosis, advanced periodontitis, and, most importantly, bacteremia (systemic spread).

It is a thorough tooth cleaning in which the dentist approaches the diseased teeth via the soft tissue under local anesthesia to prevent pain. 

Instruments Used for Teeth Cleaning 

For professional teeth cleaning, dental hygienists use particular instruments to remove hard plaques and stains. A few of them include the following: 

  • Scaler – Remove tartar and plaque from the teeth surface
  • Ultrasonic scaler – Used to break hard tarter and plaque and also wash with water
  • Dental Curved Mirror – To see the teeth from all sides 
  • Curette – Remove tartar from the gumlines and teeth borders
  • Polishing Instruemtn – Smoothing the teeth surface after tartar removal 

Furthermore, the professionals also perform a few complementary procedures like fluorosis and polishing to enhance oral hygiene. 

When You Need Teeth Cleaning? 

Regular teeth cleaning is a basic necessity for mouth hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, inadequate brushing/flossing, using high acid/sugar food, and smoking lead to several dental problems. Here are a few of the dental problems along with symptoms indicative of teeth cleaning:   

  • Gingivitis – Red, Swollen and Sore gums
  • Gingival Bleeding – Sign of inflamed gums 
  • Periodontal Diseases – Loose teeth (Perodontoitis)
  • Periodontal Pockets – Spaces containing pathogenic bacteria 
  • Halitosis – Bad breath due to poor oral hygiene
  • Dental Caries – Tooth Decay 
  • Tooth Abscess – Infection due to accumulation of pus 
  • Tooth Sensitivity – Hot and Cold 

Teeth Cleaning Benefits 

Using the teeth cleaning procedure and removing the yellow/black stains and tartar gives you a feeling of fresh breath with luminous teeth, but that’s not the therapeutic objective. A few other dental cleaning benefits include the following:  

  • Dental Cleaning – Removing tartar and Plaques to prevent tooth decay and gum disease 
  • Gum therapy – To reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth loss 
  • Fresh Breathe Treatment – Bad breath (halitosis) therapy because of poor hygiene 
  • Oral Cavity Screening – To treat oral cavities, oral cancers, and dental issues 
  • Preventive Care (Flouride Treatment) – To strengthen tooth enamel 
  • Brighter Smile – After treatment of dental discoloration 

Professional Dental Cleaning Limitations 

Professional dental cleaning is the backbone of oral health maintenance; it is not a quick fix. The cleaning treatment offers many benefits, including scrapping plaque, removing tartar to prevent gum disease, and highlighting the early signs of dental health problems. However, the procedure also has limitations. 

Post-Treatment Sensitivity 

If your teeth contain significant dental calculus and plaque buildup, you might experience mild discomfort and sensitivity during the cleaning procedure. 

Gingival Irritation 

In case of considerable plaque accumulation and gingivitis, there is a chance of gum irritation and spontaneous bleeding during and after the treatment. 

Appointment Interval 

Regular dental checkup visits are necessary to maintain buccal health. However, frequent visits and long waiting appointments might be anxiety-provoking.

Cost Considerations 

Multiple professional cleaning appointments strain your budget. So, it’s best to have insurance coverage for such treatments.  

Teeth Whitening – Understanding the Process and Benefits

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that aims to provide brighter and whiter teeth with an aesthetic result. For this purpose, dentists use different teeth whitening methods and chemicals to remove extrinsic stains and give you the confidence to smile brightly. 

This procedure isn’t meant to provide oral hygiene like teeth cleaning. Its primary goal is to increase cosmetic dental appearance. 

Causes of Teeth Discoloration

Stained teeth are actually just like healthy ones until plaque and tartar form. Hence, not paying attention to oral hygiene is the major cause of plaque (biofilm) and tartar (hard plaque) formation. 

Regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental checkups can prevent such oral health hazards. If you are dissatisfied with your present teeth color and feel uncomfortable in meetups, teeth whitening is the best option.  

There are several reasons for teeth discoloration, including the following: 

  • Using pigmented foods and drinks – Tea, coffee and red wine 
  • Drug-induced Discoloration – Specific antibiotics (tetracycline staining)
  • Smoking/Tobacco – Deposition of tar and nicotine on teeth
  • Aging – With age, enamel tears down, exposing the dentin having a yellow color 

Teeth Whitening Types 

As more people undergo teeth whitening procedures, many are still determining whether opting for teeth whitening at home is good or better under professional supervision. So, to resolve this issue, we are going to simplify the best teeth whitening techniques available.

Professional In-office Teeth Whitening  

This professional teeth whitening treatment usually takes place under the supervision of a dental practitioner in a dental office. Here, the whole process is simplified for better understanding: 

  1. First, book an appointment with an oral health professional to discuss your teeth whitening needs and any problems. 
  2. Now, the dentist removes surface stains and polishes your teeth. 
  3. A protective shield is applied to your gums to save them from the whitening gel. 
  4. The dentist gently applies the concentrated teeth-whitening gel having hydrogen peroxide (oxidizing agent having high penetrating power) to the anterior teeth surface.
  5. Oral health professionals use special light and lasers to accelerate the whitening process. 
  6. The whitening gel is removed and reapplied multiple times until the desired result is achieved (50 to 60 minutes procedure). 
  7. Your dentists take photos after each session and often show you for confirmation.
  8. Sometimes, you need to revisit the dentist to get your favorite whitening shade.

Note: In-office teeth whitening is a more goal-oriented procedure that gives faster whitening results and offers various shade types. 

Personalized In-home teeth Whitening

It’s crystal clear that in-office dental whitening has long-lasting effects until the recurrence of stains. Comparatively, you can also make it work longer for you by just giving in home whitening touch. To get better teeth whitening at home results, follow the steps below: 

  1. Get professional dentist advice by sharing your preferred teeth whitening needs and also to confirm procedures suitability. 
  2. Purchase your dentist-prescribed over-the-counter (OTC) whitening gels, strips, and toothpaste.
  3. Its necessary to read and follow the instructions provided with the teeth whitening products before use. 
  4. For optimal whitening results, brush and floss your teeth properly. 
  5. Now apply the whitening product and then wait for the recommended duration. 
  6. After the dedicated time, rinse your mouth with fresh water or remove the teeth whitening strips.  
  7. Schedule the usage as per the results and keep it regular for a radiant smile. 

Indications of Teeth Whitening 

A luminous smile can boost confidence and make a first positive impression. While teeth whitening is the procedure behind this success, individuals still need clarification about whether the procedure is beneficial to them. 

In order to simplify this confusion, we are mentioning a few reasons why a dentist recommends teeth whitening over teeth cleaning: 

  • Extrinsic dental discoloration – Embarrassment due to yellow-stained teeth 
  • Ineffective OTC products – Not getting the optimal whitening outcome
  • Smile Enhancement – Brighter smile for special occasions
  • Aging – To reverse age Related Enamel Decay 
  • Fluorosis – Removing teeth white spots and streaks 
  • Inherited Enamel Defects – Treating inherited stains and discoloration

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Undoubtedly, teeth whitening is a popular aesthetic procedure attracting young individuals by providing them with a radiant smile and improving social confidence. However, its benefits are much more than just cosmetic enhancement. Here are the benefits of using this dental process. 

  • Dental Cosmetic Enhancement 
  • Optimal Oral Health 
  • Long-Lasting Whitening Effects 
  • Improved Confidence 

Teeth Whitening Treatment Limitations 

The primary objective of this cosmetic procedure is to provide a gleaming smile, but is it the perfect solution for everyone? While teeth whitening (both at home and in the office) offers many benefits, it’s important to know the limitations. 

Sensitivity Issues

After the whitening procedure, you might feel temporary sensitivity, especially to cold temperatures. 

Enamel Concern 

Excessive utilization of over-the-counter teeth whitening products damages your tooth enamel, resulting in permanent sensitivity and other dental problems. 

Heterogeneous Outcomes 

Sometimes, the results of the whitening products differ based on different factors like age, initial tooth clear, and lifestyle habits. 

Regular Care 

Teeth cleaning needs regular maintenance because the procedure sometimes has temporary results. 

How To Keep Your Teeth White Without Dental Intervention?

Regular teeth cleaning practices not only save you from many periodontal diseases but are also cost-effective. Here are a few effective tips  to maintain optimal buccal health without any professional assistance: 

Regular Brushing 

Use fluoride toothpaste and brush your teeth at least twice a day (after breakfast and dinner) to remove any extrinsic stains and plaque. 

Flossing 

Daily flossing helps remove food particles and plaques between your teeth to prevent tooth decay. 

Minimize staining foods and Beverages 

It’s advisable not to use staining foods and beverages like tea, coffee, red wine, and berries and to rinse your mouth properly after using them. 

Hydration therapy 

Drink plenty of water as it wash out any food debris and plaque from your teeth. 

Nutritional balance 

Carrots, apples, and celery act as natural toothbrushes and scrap away any sort of yellow stains. 

Avoid Tobacco usage

Both Nicotine and tar cause teeth discoloration. Avoiding tobacco usage not only prevents further discoloration but also improves overall health. 

Good oral Hygiene

Along with brushing and flossing, it’s mandatory to maintain regular dental checkups for cleaning to optimize dental health. 

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste 

For teeth whitening, toothpaste is not a rapid and effective treatment compared to professional ones, but it slowly removes stains and whitens teeth. 

FAQs

No, there is no negative effect of teeth whitening on enamel. Its just a myth confusing a lot of people. But its necessary to undergo a complete dental examination before the procedure to avoid any post-treatment Teeth whitening risks. 

The appropriate age for teeth whitening varies, but it is commonly recommended for patients over 18. However, there is no age restriction for the procedure. 

Yes, it’s possible to undergo teeth whitening along with orthodontic treatment, and many patients opt for it. It helps them enhance the aesthetic appearance of their teeth while straightening them. It’s important to consult with a dentist or orthodontist to make sure that certain orthodontic procedures are compatible with teeth whitening. 

Yes, teeth cleaning also enhances teeth whitening—a dual-benefit procedure. In cleaning treatment, removing stains and plaques results in a smooth surface that helps the whitening agent penetrate the intrinsic hidden areas, improving whitening. However, professionals also recommend cleaning before whitening treatment. 

Dental professionals mostly recommend teeth cleaning every six months. However, the frequency of appointments may vary based on various factors, such as buccal cavity hygiene, dental condition, and lifestyle habits.

Wrap Up

The debate between teeth cleaning vs teeth whitening is now over, and choosing the right treatment depends on your dental conditions. If your teeth have plaque and tartar, then teeth cleaning is the optimal solution for you. Conversely, to remove stains from healthy teeth and enhance the aesthetic look of your smile, choose teeth whitening treatment for a radiant smile. 

Remember that professional teeth whitening costs more than cleaning, so choose wisely. Make sure that the cost does not stop you from improving your dental conditions. Despite improving the overall whitening of teeth, first, consult with a professional dental hygienist because having healthy teeth is your priority, not whitened teeth with plaque and tartar. 

Your overall dental health depends on you. Brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and having regular dental checkups reduce the chance of dental problems. Pay attention to your oral health – smile confidently with healthy teeth.

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