A step-by-step guide of what happens when you get your teeth professionally cleaned at the dentist.
Professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year is vital to good dental hygiene. Even when you brush and floss twice a day, your dentist can provide a much more thorough treatment that will help keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free over the long term.
Sadly, many people skip these cleanings because they are often nervous about what will happen during the appointment. The funny thing is that teeth cleaning sessions are usually straightforward for the patient. They also follow a set pattern of events, and educating yourself on these and the order in which they come can alleviate a great deal of the anxiety you may feel. The good news is that you can get a detailed breakdown of what to expect from your next teeth cleaning appointment from start to finish in the post below.
Why Get Professional Teeth Cleanings?
Before we look at the precise order of what happens during a tooth cleaning, it’s critical to note just how important they are. After all, professional teeth cleaning helps rid your teeth of tartar, plaque that gets hardened onto your teeth, making an excellent place for bacteria to ‘set up home.’
Oral bacteria then feed off the sugar you eat in your food, making acid which causes more severe problems like gum disease and cavities. That is why it’s so important to get extra help removing this tough tartar at least twice a year.
Although, if you already have known problems such as gum disease, more frequent teeth cleanings are recommended.
Before your Teeth Cleaning
Little needs to get done to prepare for your professional teeth cleaning session. Just brush your teeth before your appointment, as this will help clear the way for your dentist.
Even more important than a quick brush before your teeth cleaning session is committing to a routine of regular dental hygiene in your day-to-day life, including brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Indeed, the better care you take of your teeth in everyday life, the faster and easier your teeth cleaning sessions will be.
During your Teeth Cleaning Appointment
Tartar removal
Once you get called into the treatment, your dentist’s priority will be to ensure you are comfortable in the chair. They will provide you with a protective apron that goes over your clothes.
Once you are comfortable, your dentist will remove tartar from above and below your gum line with a dental pick. Sometimes dentists use ultrasonic devices to break up stubborn tartar and rinse your mouth with a water jet to remove debris.
Tooth polishing
After all that nasty tartar is gone, your dentist will focus on polishing your teeth. They will use a paste with a very fine abrasive ingredient. The benefits of tooth polishing are that your teeth feel smooth and make it much harder for plaque to adhere to and build up into tartar. Additionally, tooth polishing will help remove any minor stains, maximizing the look of your smile.
Fluoride treatments
Sometimes the next step in teeth cleaning is for your dentist to apply a varnish fluoride treatment to protect against cavities. Fluoride treatments can also get done as a gel or paste that requires a mouth guard for application and set for around 60 seconds.
Improved Confidence
If you struggle with low self-confidence, tend to hide your smile in public, or are experiencing pain and discomfort when eating or chewing, it is time to contact your dentist at Northgate Dental Centre.
Cosmetic dentistry is a great tool to restore the health and beauty of your smile – which can restore your self-esteem and confidence in social situations.
Examination
The last stage of teeth cleaning is a general examination of your mouth and oral health. Your dentist will check for potential issues like gum disease and tooth decay.
Your dentist will also take this time to check for other oral health issues, such as problems with your palate and soft tissues, and perform a check for oral cancer. Indeed, as oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases of its type, it’s imperative to get checked regularly for early detection.
Finally, your dentist will check on your jaw’s lower and upper parts to look for issues such as temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as jaw clenching. A condition that is easy to treat with painkillers, stress reduction, muscle relaxants, or a bite guard to prevent tooth cracking during the night.
Choose Northgate Dental Center for all your teeth cleaning needs.
If you need your teeth professionally cleaned by friendly and expert professionals, call 780-457-5800, and make an appointment today.
