Cleanings

Dental cleanings are a routine, non-invasive dental treatment that you should receive regularly. Most professionals recommend that you have a  dental cleaning at least every six months. If you have different needs, your dentist will let you know.

When you first arrive at your dental cleaning appointment, the dental hygienist and the dentist will first ask if you have any issues that you’d like to discuss. They may ask if you have experienced any teeth sensitivity or are experiencing any teeth discomfort. They will also want to know if your gums bleed when you brush or floss.

Next they will check your gums, measure the pockets around each tooth and gauge how healthy your gum tissue is. They may or may not take dental x-rays to check the health of the bones.

Your dentist will also perform a visual examination of your mouth, gums, tongue and throat. This is so the dentist can proactively catch any obvious signs of trouble in the oral cavity. Next the dentist or hygienist will use an ultrasonic scaler, which is just a fancy word for a water cleaner. They will clean around each tooth with this instrument first, which takes off most of the tartar, plaque, and stains really well. This is completely painless. You will usually feel just a suction feeling.

Next they will dry the teeth. This is because the drier the tooth is, the easier it is to see any residual stains, plaque, or tartar. Next they might start cleaning with hand instruments or use the ultrasonic scaler one final time. Finally, the dentist will likely floss all teeth crevices and molars.

One final but optional step is fluoride treatment. Fluoride paste may be applied to the teeth afterward. Fluoride is usually applied because it strengthens the teeth. You may feel like your teeth are bumpy or strange afterwards.

Generally, your teeth will look better after a dental cleaning. Dental cleanings are more about getting rid of tartar and plaque than about the appearance of your teeth.  To book your dental cleaning, please contact us today.