What is Teeth Cleaning?
You may dread teeth cleanings. With the prodding, strange noises, and some jaw discomfort, it is easy to understand your apprehension. Yet teeth cleaning is simple and painless.
Understanding the process can help ease your stress and help you enjoy the results.
The Teath Cleaning Procedure
- A Physical Exam- Many teeth cleanings are performed by a dental hygienist. Before the cleaning process begins, they begin with a physical exam of your entire mouth. The hygienist uses a small mirror to examine around your teeth and gums for any signs of inflamed gums or other potential concerns. If they detect problems, they might confirm with your dentist to make sure it is all right to proceed.
- Removing Damaging Plaque and Tartar- The dental hygienist uses a scaler to remove plaque and tartar around the gum line, as well as between your teeth. You will hear scraping, but this is normal. The more tartar buildup, the more time they will need to scrape. Daily brushing and flossing stops plaque from accumulating and hardening into tartar. When you have tartar, you can only have it removed professionally. If this is your least favorite part of the teeth cleaning process, the takeaway is to simply brush and floss every day.
- Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning- After your teeth are cleaned, the hygienist brushes them with an electric brush, making more noise. It may sound scary, but it is to provide a deep clean and remove any tartar left behind. Professional cleanings use toothpaste that has a gritty consistency that gently scrubs your teeth. This polishing of the teeth is safe to do twice a year by a dental professional.
- Professional Flossing- Even though you floss regularly at home, nothing compares to an expert flossing session. Your dental hygienist will get deep between your teeth and locate any potential trouble spots. This might seem pointless since you floss at home, but having professional floss also removes any leftover plaque or toothpaste from the cleaning process.
- Rinsing- Now you rinse to get rid of any debris. Your dental hygienist will usually use a rinse that contains liquid fluoride.
- Applying Fluoride Treatment- The final step of the cleaning process is fluoride treatment. This treatment provides protection for your teeth to help combat cavities for several months.
They will place the foamy gel, or sometimes sticky paste, into a tray that fits your teeth. It is usually left on your teeth for one minute. In addition to the foamy gel, fluoride varnish can also be painted onto the teeth. Fluoride varnish hardens when it encounters saliva, so you can eat and drink immediately.
Other Potential Steps
Professional teeth cleanings are ideally scheduled twice a year, while X-rays are usually done once a year. Depending on what your dentist or hygienist identify in your mouth, they could do other exams during your visit. For a child, your dentist might recommend molar sealants to help prevent cavities on rear teeth that are difficult to brush.
The goal is to keep visiting your dentist for regular teeth cleanings to prevent any problems altogether. By understanding the teeth cleaning process in advance, you will feel more at ease and even look forward to these appointments over time.