What Happens During A Routine Teeth Cleaning Dentist Visit
Clean teeth are as crucial to your health as looking good and having a perfect smile.
While regular brushing and flossing are essential, professional cleaning is equally, if not more, significant.
If you are not sure about what to expect when getting your teeth cleaned professionally, here is a comprehensive guide to teeth cleaning to put you at ease.
Article Table of Contents:
2. Removal of Plaque and Tartar
3. Teeth Cleaning with Toothpaste
4. Flossing
5. Rinsing
Schedule Your Teeth Cleaning Today!
Routine Teeth Cleaning
While at-home care of your teeth is vital to your oral health and hygiene, it is strongly recommended for a minimum of two in-office dental cleanings a year (every six months).
There are several steps to routine teeth cleaning.
The 5 steps to expect at your next dental cleaning are:
- An examination of teeth and tongue
- Removal of plaque and tartar on the surface of teeth
- Teeth cleaning with toothpaste
- Flossing
- Rinsing
Let's dissect what happens at each step of the teeth cleaning process.
1. An Examination
The first part of the cleaning is the exam by the hygienist.
Using a small mirror, they look for signs of plaque, tartar, inflammation, and other oral health concerns.
2. Removal of Plaque and Tartar
A little tool called a dental scraper is used to scrape excess plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth.
Although it is typically not a painful process, this step is often the most unpleasant part for patients.
If you do experience any pain, let the hygienist know if particular areas cause you discomfort.
If you brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly, you can minimize the amount of scraping the dental hygienist will have to do on your teeth.
3. Teeth Cleaning With Toothpaste
After your hygienist is finished scraping your teeth, they will use a high-powered electric toothbrush to deep clean.
The toothpaste that is used has a gritty texture to it because of cleansing particles that help to clean your teeth better.
4. Flossing
The dental hygienist will then floss your teeth.
Flossing removes plaque and excess particles from between teeth.
A word of caution: if you do not regularly floss, your gums may bleed a little.
5. Rinsing
Now you rinse out your mouth to remove anything that could be left in your mouth, like excess particles for the toothpaste cleaning.
Most patients dread teeth cleanings. With the odd noises, prodding, and occasional jaw discomfort, we understand why.
But for many, a teeth cleaning is simple and painless.
After rinsing your teeth, you will wait for the dentist to come in and give another examination of your mouth.
As long as you are all-clear and there are no signs of damage, the routine teeth cleaning appointment is concluded, and you are good to go home!
Schedule Your Teeth Cleaning Today!
Now that you know what to expect during a teeth cleaning appointment, you can go ahead and schedule a cleaning!
Here at Hylan Dental Care, we understand that patients may have apprehensions about visiting the dentist.
That is why we treat our patients with gentle approaches.
If you live in the greater Cleveland area and want to experience our gentle approaches to dentistry, click the button below to schedule an appointment!
