If you’re getting ready to visit your dentist for the first time, or it’s merely been so long that you’ve forgotten what a dental check-up is all about, then you may be wondering exactly what is involved in dental cleaning. Some people will talk about the tooth cleaning process like it’s a form of slow torture, but it’s likely that they haven’t sat in a dentist’s chair for a cleaning for some time. Tooth cleanings are a routine part of any dental check-up that is relatively quick and easy and will ensure that you can get a great start on the next six months of at-home oral health care.
Exams Are Always The First Step
Before your dentist or your hygienist can decide what the appropriate steps to take for your case are, they’re going to have to spend some time getting to know your mouth. During your exam, they’ll be checking you for gum diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis, as well as looking for indications of conditions like grinding teeth and oral cancer. In some cases, they may have to speak to the dentist before going on with the cleaning process.
The Plaque And Tartar Get To Go First
Plaque, that sticky, filmy substance that builds up on our teeth when we neglect to brush is cleaned away from our teeth followed by the harder layer of tartar that builds up under it. The hygienist will clean the tartar away with a metal implement known as a scaler, specially designed to get into the hard to reach places and break away the build up. They’ll continue cleaning your teeth until all of the tartar has been removed.
A Professional Brushing Courtesy of Your Hygienist
Once all the tartar has been removed from your teeth, it’s time for them to move on to the next stage, which involves a high-grit toothpaste that is especially good at cleaning and polishing your teeth. The taste of the toothpaste you may find similar to what you use at home, but the texture is going to be decidedly grittier. This toothpaste is far more effective at cleaning your teeth but is only safe to be used by a professional once or twice a year.
Let The Experts Handle This Flossing, Do Yours At Home
No matter how meticulous you are about your flossing habits, it can be challenging to reach every area of your mouth. Thankfully when you come in for your six-month check-up, your hygienist is going to give you a flossing of their own, and you can be confident that every bit of debris will find its way out of your mouth by the time they’re done. Don’t be shocked if you see some blood; it’s normal when flossing areas that aren’t used to it.
Fluoride and a Rinse
This part of the process involves a high-pressure rinsing and the application of fluoride using a special gel in an application tray. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and preserve your teeth against the ravages of plaque.
If you have any further questions about what goes into your tooth cleaning process, then contact Dr. Sam S Sadati at The Sadati Center For Aesthetic Dentistry in Wellington, FL. This clinic has been providing exceptional dental care for their patients and has restored and protected their smiles for years.
