In order to maintain proper dental hygiene, it is highly recommended you visit your dentist and get a general oral examination at least once every six months. During this visit, your dentist will check your mouth for any potential health concerns, and perform a long lasting teeth cleaning. Your average teeth cleaning takes between 30 to 60 minutes, especially if you have already filled out your patient history on a prior visit.
Proper oral hygiene, such as regular brushing and flossing along with a balanced diet, will reduce the time you need to spend during your dental visit. But what do dentists do during your teeth cleaning? Why is it so important? Here are the key facts you’ll want to know about your next dental cleaning appointment.
What Do Dentists Do During A Teeth Cleaning Appointment?
While the process does vary slightly from office to office, many dentists follow the same cleaning procedure as part of your general oral dentistry service. You can expect the following during your teeth cleaning appointment:
Step 1: Oral Examination
Your dentist will start the appointment by performing a thorough examination of your mouth. This includes checking for potential dental problems, not only with your teeth but with your gums. By doing so, dentists can get a good idea how to best clean your mouth during the cleaning.
Depending on when you were last seen by a dentist, they may perform an x-ray examination as well. Dental x-rays are totally safe, and can help your dentist identify deeper oral issues they can’t see with a normal examination.
Step 2: Scraping
Inside your mouth, especially in hard to reach places that you can’t get to easily with your toothbrush, a sticky film known as plaque will accumulate. Plaque is a harmful bacteria that can harden overtime, transforming into tartar. Tartar is extremely difficult to remove, and if left alone can cause damage to your teeth and gums.
Semi-annual teeth cleanings are very important because they help get rid of the plaque and tartar in your teeth. Using specialized tools designed specifically for cleaning teeth, dentists will clear out the plaque and tartar that have built up in your mouth. The more there is to clean, the longer your appointment will be.
Step 3: Polishing and Flossing
Once the plaque and tartar are cleaned out, your dentist will polish your teeth to help you improve and maintain your bright smile. Many dentists will apply a paste to each tooth, helping them shine while improving their defense against plaque accumulation in the future. The cleaning process will typically end with your dentist flossing between each tooth.
Step 4: Fluoride and Rinsing
Depending on your dentist, they may provide an extra step to your cleaning with a fluoride treatment. Fluoride, a mineral often included in drinking water, helps maintain the health of your teeth by rejuvenating your enamel. Fluoride treatment consists of having a gel applied directly to your teeth for about a minute, so you’ll get extra protection for your teeth without spending too much time at the office.
Whether you get fluoride treatment or not, your visit will conclude with a final rinse as your dentist goes over all of the steps you should follow to maintain your oral hygiene.
Schedule a Teeth Cleaning with Chagrin Falls Dental Today
Semi-annual teeth cleanings are one of the best ways you can protect your oral hygiene. They will help you improve your smile, and it’ll protect your mouth against cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems from developing. Teeth cleanings are quick, and by filling out your patient history ahead of time you’ll rarely need to take more than 60 minutes for your appointment.
For those looking for a quick teeth cleaning in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, be sure to schedule an appointment with Chagrin Falls Dental. Our experienced staff have been helping patients for over 30 years, cleaning teeth and providing many different kinds of dental services. This includes advanced dental solutions, such as dental implants and restorative dentistry.
Whatever your dental needs, be sure to contact us today to schedule an appointment with Chagrin Falls Dental!