Curious about what happens during a teeth cleaning at a general dentistry office? Read on to learn more about what to expect during a professional dental cleaning. You may be aware that the dentist cleans your teeth and examines your mouth for signs of oral issues, but you might not know the exact steps involved. People who are anxious about dental visits can be more comfortable if they know what happens during a dental cleaning.
There are two primary reasons to get regular dental cleanings: to avoid disorders that affect the rest of the body and to prevent tooth loss. The mouth endures a lot of stress from chewing and talking throughout the day. The dental professional removes plaque and tartar from the teeth during a dental cleaning. Gum disease may occur due to too much plaque accumulation on the teeth.
Tartar should be cleaned off because the body regards it as a foreign material. Therefore, the body's immune system will try to fight the infection. There is a constant struggle in the mouth against bacteria and plaque. To level the playing field, regular teeth cleanings are necessary. The body's response to tartar accumulation is irritated and bleeding gums, which signals the onset of gum disease. Gum disease worsens with time, resulting in bone and tissue loss throughout the mouth.
Chronic stimulation of the immune system weakens the body's ability to fight an infection since the immune system is designed to only fight infection for a limited time. An overactive immune system is linked to various illnesses throughout the body. Preventing gum disease thereby lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia.
Since the damage caused by severe gum disease is irreversible, prevention is the most effective method to preserve general health and keep the teeth for a long time. Dental cleanings are an important part of this prevention measure.
Bi-annual dental visits can lower the risk of developing gum disease, remove plaque and tartar accumulation, and prevent cavities from progressing. Although the exact cleaning procedure differs in each general dentistry office, patients may generally expect the following during teeth cleaning:
Generally, a dentist will first check the patient's teeth and gums. They may use a mirror during this quick examination to get a closer look at all the different parts of the oral cavity. They will look for symptoms of problems such as swollen gums (gingivitis) and dark patches on the teeth (cavities). Also, the dentist will usually inquire if patients have any concerns about their teeth or gums before beginning the cleaning. This is the time to ask questions about the cleaning process.
The dentist will then use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the gum line and around the teeth. Plaque (a bacterial film) can lead to cavities and gum disease, and if not cleaned off, it will harden into tartar. Although plaque may be removed by brushing and flossing, tartar is only removable by a dental professional.
This step often comes with scraping noises. The length of time it takes to remove tartar depends on the extent of tartar accumulation. Furthermore, patients with gingivitis may experience bleeding gums after tartar removal. The oral cavity may also feel slightly sore.
The dentist will remove any residual stains after removing plaque and tartar. They will then use a power toothbrush to clean the teeth thoroughly with gritty toothpaste. The use of a powerful electric toothbrush may make this process noisy. The abrasive toothpaste also polishes the teeth, leaving them smooth and gleaming.
Flossing is the following step. The dental professional will slide a length of floss between the teeth to remove plaque. During this stage, the dentist may inquire about the patient's flossing routine and provide tips on flossing correctly.
The dentist may administer a fluoride treatment to protect the teeth against cavities until the next cleaning or check-up at the dentist's office. A tray filled with fluoride foam or gel that fits over the teeth may be inserted by the hygienist during the procedure and will stay in the mouth for approximately one minute. The excess fluoride will then be rinsed away with water.
Professional dental cleaning is a preventive care treatment provided in a general dentistry office. To get started, contact our dental office to book an appointment for a cleaning and exam.
Request an appointment here: https://totalcareimplantdentistry.com or call Total Care Dentistry & Implants at (760) 394-3088 for an appointment in our Palm Desert office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Cleaning in Palm Desert, CA.
Dentists perform dental cleaning to prevent problems like tooth decay and gum disease. A dental cleaning procedure is more intensive than your daily oral hygiene routine.Read on to find out why aftercare is necessary after a dental cleaning. The following also explains how to care for your teeth after professional teeth cleaning.Dentists advise their patients…
Visiting the dentist for a checkup and dental cleaning is not something that most people anticipate cheerfully. Continue reading to learn about the importance of dental cleanings. The well-being of your teeth, mouth, and gums will be jeopardized if you skip your bi-annual dentist appointments. Going in for a checkup and cleanings twice a year…
Many are familiar with the oral health benefits of a dental cleaning, which ultimately reduce the risk of the most common types of gum and teeth issues. However, although not the primary goal of dental cleaning, there are generally cosmetic benefits of regular dental cleaning as well.The cosmetic benefits of a dental cleaning include a…
Dental cleaning takes up the second half of every routine dental checkup. The professional teeth cleaning exercise has numerous oral health benefits. Is reducing the risk of oral cancer one of them?A dentist has the training and keen eye to spot areas of neglect in the far reaches of the mouth. These qualities allow them…