How to Deep Clean Your Teeth

Deep-cleaning the teeth is usually done in a dentist's office, where the tools necessary for deep-cleaning teeth and gums are available. Scaling, another term for deep-cleaning, removes tartar on the surface of the teeth and also in the pockets around each tooth. As gum disease worsens, the pockets around each tooth get larger and deeper, meaning the pockets can contain more tartar and plaque. Deep-cleaning helps control gum disease, which, if not treated properly, leads to tooth loss. There is a way to give your teeth a deeper cleaning at home.

Things You'll Need

• Soft bristle toothbrush
• Fluoride tartar-control toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Water irrigation system

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Instructions

• 1

  Choose a soft bristle brush that fits in your mouth. Having the right size of toothbrush improves teeth cleaning.

• 2

  Put tartar-control, fluoride toothpaste on the brush. Use toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association, or ADA. The ADA seal is on the package. Fluoride strengthens the enamel of teeth. Tartar control helps to remove some of the tartar on the teeth.

• 3

  Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush in circular motions, suggests the ADA. This is the best way to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Brush the teeth for at least two minutes twice each day.

• 4

  Rinse out mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash. Choose one with chlorhexidine, suggests the Dental Fear Central website. This chemical helps to kill bacteria that causes plaque and tartar. Swish the mouthwash for about 30 second, then spit out.

• 5

  Use a water irrigation system, or Water-Pik. These appliances help to deep clean by washing away any germs and bacteria under the gum line. The irritation system works by filling a small tank with warm water. You can add antibacterial mouthwash to the water if you like. The irrigation system comes with small, narrow tools that direct the flow of water around the gumline of each tooth. Irrigate each tooth until the water tank is empty.