What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?
What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?
So you take care of your oral health religiously, brush after every meal, and floss every single day. Even so, you notice a small cavity forming or the presence of tartar. What gives?
Many patients are surprised to discover that at-home oral hygiene isn’t enough to properly care for their teeth. There are many areas that are impossible to clean at home, which is why dentists recommend getting a professional teeth cleaning around every six months.
Keep reading to understand everything you need to know about teeth cleanings!
What Is Teeth Cleaning?
Teeth cleaning is a preventative dentistry procedure designed to thoroughly clean the patient’s teeth. The mouth is filled with harmful bacteria that love to eat on the food particles lingering in your mouth after every meal.
Over time, this bacteria can lead to plaque and tartar building, increasing your risk for gum disease and even cavities. A professional dental cleaning treatment relies on special tools and products that can remove plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, such as your back teeth or in between your teeth.
Teeth Cleaning: a Step-by-Step Guide
- Oral Exam
Teeth cleanings are usually performed by a dental hygienist or a dentist. The process starts with a thorough physical exam of the entire mouth to note any dental issues that may require more attention.
In some cases, you may also need a dental X-ray, so that the dentist has a full view of your oral health before they proceed with the cleaning.
- Removing Plaque and Tartar
The dentist or hygienist then uses a scalar to remove all traces of plaque and tartar from your teeth and around the gum lines. Usually, this process is not painful, but if you have a large amount of tartar, your teeth may feel slightly sensitive.
- Cleaning
After the plaque and tartar are removed, your teeth are brushed with a high-powered toothbrush, which helps remove any traces of tartar left behind by the scaler. The brush is electric and can make a grinding sound, but it’s only a bit louder than the electric toothbrush you have at home.
The toothpaste will also have a slightly gritty consistency, which helps provide a thorough cleaning.
- Flossing and Rinsing
After your teeth are flossed, the dentist will carefully floss your teeth to remove leftover particles, going between your teeth to locate any potential issues.
Then, you’ll need to rinse the mouth to remove any debris, and the procedure is done. Fluoride treatment may also be recommended.
Get Your Teeth Cleaned at Sauk Trail Dental
If you’re due for a professional dental cleaning, Dr. Neal Rosenberg is here to help with expert preventative oral health services.
Book a professional dental cleaning session at Sauk Trail Dental today.
Want to learn more about our services? Then call us at (262) 284-7111 for a short choice.
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