About Dental Teeth Cleanings
For most, a dental teeth cleaning is simple and painless, and the more you understand what happens, the more comfortable you are. Sure, people are a little nervous about visiting the dentist, and, to a large extent, this applies to a dental hygienist visit as well. We hope that by explaining more about dental teeth cleanings, the more comfortable, you will be.
Teeth cleaning is normally performed by a dental hygienist but can also be performed by a dentist. A regular dental teeth cleaning allows the dental professional to do a detailed inspection of your mouth. This will assist in identifying any potential problems before they become full-blown dental emergencies.
Initial Inspection
Using a small mirror, the dental hygienist will examine your mouth for signs of gum disease (gingivitis) or cavities. If there aren’t any major concerns, the hygienist will proceed with the cleaning. Next, dental x-rays might be taken to examine the underlying dental structure.
Tartar and Plaque Removal
The hygienist will use a scaler to remove all plaque and tartar found in your mouth. Plaque is a build-up of bacteria that develops into a sticky film that adheres to your teeth. If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar which is much more difficult to get rid of. There will be a scraping sound and sensation in your mouth while the hygienist uses the scaler. This sensation is not painful, and the procedure is relatively quick.
Polishing
An electric toothbrush and special gritty toothpaste are used to deliver a very thorough, deep clean. The grit in the toothpaste also polishes your teeth at the same time. This part of the procedure will be quite loud due to the electric brush, and this might be disconcerting for some people, but again, it is not in the least bit painful.
Final Flossing and Fluoride Treatment
The hygienist will then proceed to give you very thorough flossing to remove any last vestiges of tartar before proceeding with the fluoride treatment. The hygienist will use a mouthpiece that fits over your teeth to apply the fluoride.
The mouthpiece is filled with a fluoride foam or gel, which is left in your mouth for at least a minute. Once the mouthpiece is removed, you will rinse thoroughly to remove the excess fluoride and debris left by the cleaning process.
It is highly recommended that you have a deep clean at least once a year. Twice a year is recommended to nip any developing bud problems and ensure that your teeth maintain their healthy, radiant appearance.
