Techniques for Teeth Cleaning
- Brushing with a toothbrush helps prevent plaque build-up on teeth.
- Electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes at reducing plaque and gingivitis.
- Proper brushing technique involves placing toothpaste on the brush and holding it at a 45-degree angle.
- Brushing should be done in small circular and back and forth motions along teeth and gums.
- All surfaces inside the mouth, including the tongue, should be brushed.
- Cleaning between teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes helps prevent plaque build-up.
- Cavities often occur in the grooves of chewing surfaces, but there is no evidence that at-home flossing reduces the risk in these areas.
- Special appliances like toothpicks and oral irrigators can supplement toothbrushing and interdental cleaning.
- Insufficient evidence exists to determine if interdental brushing is more effective than flossing in reducing plaque levels.
- Flossing should be done in addition to brushing for optimal oral hygiene.
- Importance of brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day.
- Effective use of dental floss or interdental brushes for cleaning between teeth.
- Benefits of using mouthwash as a supplementary oral hygiene measure.
- Consideration of tongue cleaning to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

Professional Teeth Cleaning
- Teeth cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, removes tartar that may develop despite regular brushing and flossing.
- Dental hygienists often perform professional cleaning, which includes tooth scaling, polishing, and debridement if necessary.
- The frequency of cleaning does not have a standardised recommendation based on empirical evidence.
- Research on the effects of routine scaling and polishing is inconclusive.
- Codes D1110 and D1120 are designated by the American Dental Association for adult and children's prophylaxis, respectively.

Complications and Considerations
- Incorrect brushing or flossing techniques can cause injury to the gums.
- Over-vigorous brushing can lead to sore gums, damage to tooth enamel, gingivitis, and bleeding gums.
- Aerosols generated during dental cleaning procedures may spread infection.
- Routine dental checkups were recommended to be delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The characteristics and detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in dental settings have been extensively reviewed.

Disinfection
- Antiseptics reduce the number of microorganisms in the oral cavity.
- Antiseptics are recommended for daily home care and as a preprocedural rinse in dental offices.
- A common antiseptic rinsing agent is a 0.2% chlorhexidine product.
- Chlorhexidine provides a lowered bacterial count for over 60 minutes.
- Further expansion of this section is needed (June 2022).

Benefits of Teeth Cleaning and Overall Health
- Promotes oral hygiene and prevents tooth decay.
- Reduces the risk of gum disease and periodontitis.
- Removes plaque and tartar buildup.
- Enhances the appearance of teeth by removing stains.
- Helps maintain fresh breath and prevents bad breath.
- Allows early detection and treatment of dental issues.
- Helps prevent serious dental problems in the future.
- Enables professional cleaning and removal of stubborn plaque.
- Provides an opportunity to discuss oral health concerns and receive guidance.
- Increases the lifespan of dental restorations such as fillings and crowns.
- Links between gum disease and systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
- Increased risk of respiratory infections due to oral bacteria.
- Association between poor oral health and pregnancy complications.
- Potential connection between oral health and Alzheimer's disease.
- Impact of oral infections on overall well-being and quality of life.

Innovations in Dental Hygiene
- Introduction of electric toothbrushes for more efficient cleaning.
- Development of antimicrobial toothpaste to combat oral bacteria.
- Use of ultrasonic scalers for thorough removal of plaque and tartar.
- Implementation of preprocedural mouth rinsing to reduce aerosol contamination.
- Advancements in alternative sites and specimens for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in dental practice.