You know that a professional cleaning is a key part of keeping your smile healthy. But you might not realize there are different ways to get that fresh-from-the-dentist feel. At a practice like Cool Dental, you might encounter methods like traditional scaling or a new, innovative approach called Guided Biofilm Therapy, or GBT.
Understanding how they compare can help you feel more confident at your next dental visit. The main difference is that traditional scaling scrapes away hardened tartar, while GBT gently washes away the sticky bacterial film before it hardens.
What Is a Traditional Dental Clean?
A traditional dental clean—also known as scaling and polishing—is probably the type of cleaning you remember from past appointments. It is a long-standing method for removing dental buildup.
The Tools & Technique
Traditional cleaning uses special handheld tools to manually scrape away plaque and hardened tartar from the surface of your teeth and just below your gumline. Afterward, your teeth are polished with a gritty paste to remove surface stains and create a smooth finish.
The Goal of Scaling & Polish
The primary purpose of a traditional cleaning is to remove tartar. This is the hard, calcified plaque you simply cannot remove with a toothbrush at home. By removing it professionally, you help prevent cavities and gum disease.
What Is Guided Biofilm Therapy?
Guided Biofilm Therapy is an innovative approach that focuses on gently removing something called biofilm. By addressing biofilm before it hardens into tartar, GBT helps offers a thorough and comfortable alternative.
What Is Dental Biofilm?
Biofilm is a sticky, colourless film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If you do not remove it, it can lead to plaque, tartar, cavities, and gum inflammation.
How GBT Works
GBT uses a multi-step approach that feels quite different from a traditional clean. The process is systematic and prioritizes your comfort.
- Make It Visible: A special disclosing solution is applied to your teeth. This coloured dye makes the invisible biofilm visible, showing both you and the hygienist exactly where to clean.
- Gentle Removal with AIRFLOW: Instead of scraping, a gentle stream of warm water, air, and a fine powder washes away the stained biofilm and recent surface stains.
- Tackle Hardened Tartar: If any hardened tartar remains, use a precision tool to gently remove it, targeting only the spots that need it.
- A Final Check: The team performs a final check to confirm that all biofilm and tartar are gone, leaving your smile feeling completely clean.
Key Differences for Your Dental Visit
While both methods work toward a healthy mouth, the experience and focus are different. GBT was developed with patient comfort and proactive care in mind, changing how a cleaning can feel.
A Focus on Comfort
Many people find GBT more comfortable because it uses less scraping. Using warm water also helps reduce sensitivity, making theexperience more relaxing.
Precision & Education
The disclosing solution allows for a highly targeted cleaning—there is no guesswork. It also gives you a clear picture of the spots you might miss in your daily brushing routine.
A Gentle Touch for Dental Work
The AIRFLOW technology is gentle enough to clean effectively around sensitive areas and modern dental work, such as:
- Dental implants
- Veneers & crowns
- Orthodontic braces
The Need for a Professional Dental Clean
Yes, regular professional cleanings are important for your oral health. Even with excellent home brushing and flossing, it is impossible to remove all the biofilm that accumulates in hard-to-reach areas.
Why At-Home Care Isn’t Enough
Once biofilm hardens into tartar, it cannot be removed with a toothbrush or floss. This buildup can lead to bigger problems if left unchecked. A regular visit to your dentist in Lethbridge is an effective way to manage it.
Choose the Right Clean for You
The best cleaning method for you depends on your specific oral health needs and comfort level. Both traditional scaling and GBT are effective ways to maintain a healthy mouth.
Who Benefits Most from GBT?
GBT can be a great option for almost anyone, but it is particularly helpful if you have:
- Sensitive teeth or gums
- Dental anxiety
- Implants, veneers, or braces
- A history of gum disease
Talk to Your Dental Team
The best way to decide is to have a conversation about your options. A dental professional can assess your oral health and recommend a cleaning approach that helps you achieve a thorough clean while keeping you comfortable.
Your smile deserves care that feels good. The team at Cool Dental is here to help you find the cleaning method that works for you. Contact the team today to schedule your next appointment!
