Cosmetic Dental Treatments: Dental Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings are an essential part of your oral health routine and when performed regularly, can help you prevent minor dental issues from turning into major ones. Teeth cleanings are performed by dental professionals to keep gums and teeth clean and healthy. Generally, dental cleanings should be performed every 6 months, allowing your dental team to better monitor your oral health, but some patients will require them more or less frequently.
Dental Cleanings Procedure
Your dental cleaning will consist of the following steps:
Teeth and Gum Examination
Your mouth will be checked for any indications of oral problems, including inflamed gums, dark spots on your teeth, or the buildup of plaque and tartar. This helps us identify the areas to focus on during your cleaning. If any potential issues are found, the hygienist will inform the dentist, who will perform a more thorough examination.
Scaling
Tartar and plaque that have built up on your teeth will need to be removed. This is accomplished with the use of a hooked tool known as a scaler. The hygienist will use the scaler to remove plaque and tartar along the gum line and between your teeth. Smaller amounts of plaque and tartar can be removed this way, which feels likes scraping on your teeth. If you have larger deposits, the manual scaler may not be appropriate, and an ultrasonic scaler will be used in its place. This will involve the use of mild vibration and water.
Polishing
Once your teeth are plaque and tartar free following the scaling, your hygienist will brush them with a high-powered electric brush. This allows for deep cleaning and will sweep away any lingering tartar that may have been missed by the scaler.
Special toothpaste is used, often with a choice of flavours. It has a grittier texture than normal toothpaste, and gently scrubs your teeth. Polishing your teeth in this manner is safe to do twice per year, but your teeth should receive more gentle treatment at home to avoid wearing down the enamel.
Expert Flossing
Hopefully, you are flossing regularly at home, but even if you are, an expert flossing by your dental hygienist can get deep between your teeth to locate potential trouble spots. This also helps remove any leftover toothpaste from the polishing.
Rinsing
You will next rinse out your mouth to remove any debris, using a rinse that contains liquid fluoride.
You may also receive a fluoride treatment during your teeth cleaning. This involves a mouthpiece filled with fluoride gel that you will wear for about one minute.
Other Steps
Some additional steps may be taken during your dental cleaning. X-rays are typically done once per year. If something of concern is noted during your visit, other exams may be performed. Children may also receive molar sealants to help prevent cavities in the areas that are hard for them to brush.
Your at-home dental care routine is an important step to take daily, but having your teeth professionally cleaned twice per year is essential for your best possible smile.
Benefits of Dental Cleanings
Professional cleaning does not only keep your smile radiant and healthy; it also has a positive impact on your overall health. While brushing and flossing is an integral part of your daily oral hygiene, professional dental cleaning allow the dentist to inspect the state of your oral health and compare it to your previous visits. In case of a dental problem, the dentist will provide an immediate intervention to prevent complications.
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