Keeping your mouth clean through daily brushing and flossing is necessary to maintain a healthy smile and overall good health. Still, it’s crucial to undergo professional teeth cleaning at your local dentist’s office to keep plaque, periodontal disease, and tooth decay at bay. Generally, people should schedule this straightforward, preventive procedure at least twice a year.
The Metropolitan Dental Care team of Denver put together this guide to explain what happens at every stage of routine teeth cleaning appointments so that you can understand and obtain a higher level of cleanliness that is impossible to achieve at home.
Before Teeth Cleaning: The Exam
Before the actual cleaning process, your dental hygienist or dentist will conduct a thorough oral health examination. With a small mirror in hand, he or she will examine the areas around your teeth and gums for signs of gum disease, oral cancer, and other serious health conditions.
What happens if our dental team member identifies an issue that requires immediate medical attention? Don’t stress, because you are in good hands. Depending on what is discovered, your dentist may or may not advise addressing the specific issue before commencing the cleaning process.
During the Cleaning: Comfortable, Professional Treatment
Now, here comes the fun part! Professional dental cleaning aims to control oral bacteria responsible for causing bad breath, cavities, and disease. Simply, professional teeth cleaning is more thorough than what you can accomplish at home because we use specialized tools and products that can only be found in the dentist’s office.
Step 1: Plaque and Tartar Removal
First, the actual cleaning starts with removing any caked-on plaque and tartar. Your dentist uses a scaler and other specialized tools to remove stubborn plaque and tartar between the teeth and along the gumline.
Step 2: Polishing the Dental Surfaces
Next, your dentist scrubs your enamel with a high-powered electric toothbrush and gritty toothpaste. Using a professional, gritty toothpaste a few times a year can safely remove stubborn stains on the enamel without wearing it too thin.
Step 3: Expertly Flossing
Once your teeth and gums are deeply cleaned and polished, your dentist expertly flosses between the teeth. Flossing helps remove any remaining plaque and toothpaste. But, this technique can also serve as a method of locating areas where your gums may bleed.
Step 4: Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by binding to the tooth enamel. Usually, your dentist asks you to rinse your mouth out with a liquid that contains fluoride.
Additionally, he or she may give you a fluoride treatment as the cherry on top of your teeth cleaning experience. Usually, this consists of a sticky paste or foamy gel placed in a mouthpiece comfortably worn over the teeth for at least one minute. When done correctly, professional fluoride treatments may help decrease the likelihood of developing cavities until your next dental appointment.
After the Cleaning: A Healthier, Fresher, and Brighter Smile
After receiving professional dental cleaning, your mouth should feel and smell fresher. Also, your teeth should even look a little brighter and whiter. Some patients feel a minor gum sensitivity, but that should subside a few days after treatment.
Metropolitan Dental Care is Here to Guide You Through Every Step of Teeth Cleaning
When was the last time you had professional teeth cleaning? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to schedule an appointment. Contact Metropolitan Dental Care today by calling 303-534-2626 or messaging us online.
