Those who keep up with their regular appointments and at-home oral hygiene routine should experience simple and efficient dental cleaning appointments.
Before the cleaning begins, the dental professional will take a look at the entire mouth with a small mirror. This mirror is angled so that they can see all around the mouth, gums, and teeth.
The dental professional will use a scaler to remove any plaque or tartar that has built up on the surface of the teeth since the last dental examination.
After removing plaque, they will use a gritty toothpaste and electric brush to smooth and polish the teeth, protecting them from bacteria buildup.
The dental professional will use a thin piece of floss and glide it between each tooth to remove any plaque that might be present.
During the examination, we look for signs of oral health concerns, such as inflamed gums, which may indicate gingivitis — the first stage of gum disease.
We check for plaque or tartar buildup that can lead to tooth decay and cavities if not properly removed.
We examine the gums for signs of inflammation, recession, or other issues that may require attention.
We assess the overall condition of your mouth and provide guidance on maintaining optimal oral health.
"Unless there are any problems detected, the examination and cleaning are taken care of by the dental professional without needing to consult anyone else."
At the end of the dental cleaning, the patient will likely be asked to rinse with a special fluoride mouthwash. Mouthwash that contains fluoride is a useful addition to any oral hygiene routine.
Professional scalers are designed to effectively remove plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing cannot reach.
The gritty toothpaste used in professional cleanings helps remove leftover plaque and polishes teeth for protection.
Professional electric brushes provide thorough cleaning and polishing that exceeds what can be achieved at home.
Professional fluoride treatments help protect teeth against the development of tooth decay and strengthen enamel.
"Mouthwash that contains fluoride is a useful addition to any oral hygiene routine."
As long as they have followed the recommended at-home oral care guidelines, most people do not have issues with sensitive teeth.
If you have sensitive teeth, let the dental professional know at the start of the appointment so they can recommend ways to reduce discomfort.
We can use gentler techniques and specialized tools to minimize discomfort during cleaning for sensitive teeth.
We may have additional recommendations for home care to make your next visit more comfortable.
Following recommended at-home oral care guidelines helps prevent sensitivity issues during professional cleanings.
During the cleaning, we may check for areas of sensitivity to see if any issues should be addressed.
We can customize the cleaning process to accommodate your specific sensitivity needs and comfort level.
"As long as they have followed the recommended at-home oral care guidelines, most people do not have issues with sensitive teeth."
A dental cleaning is a regular, routine cleaning that should be scheduled every six months to keep the mouth healthy and clear of harmful plaque.
Regular cleanings should be scheduled every six months to maintain optimal oral health and prevent problems.
Regular cleanings focus on removing plaque and tartar from the visible surfaces of teeth and above the gumline.
These cleanings help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues from developing.
Deep cleaning may be necessary for those who have not had a normal dental cleaning in some time or have excessive buildup.
Deep cleaning is recommended when there are bacteria or tartar in pockets between the teeth and gums.
During root planing, the dental professional will remove buildup from the surface of the tooth roots, going deeper than regular cleaning.
It may take multiple deep cleanings over time to be completely successful in treating gum disease and preventing tooth loss.
"Deep cleaning is recommended when there are bacteria and tartar in pockets between the teeth and gums."
A dental cleaning includes a physical examination, scaling to remove plaque and tartar, cleaning with professional toothpaste and electric brush, flossing, and fluoride treatment to protect teeth.
Fluoride mouthwash helps protect teeth against the development of tooth decay and strengthens enamel, providing extra protection between cleanings.
Patients should inform the dental professional at the start of the appointment so they can use gentler techniques and provide recommendations for reducing discomfort.
A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, goes beneath the gumline to remove bacteria and tartar from pockets between teeth and gums, typically needed for gum disease treatment.
Dental sealants are protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities by sealing out bacteria and food particles.
A routine dental checkup includes examination of teeth and gums, professional cleaning, X-rays if needed, and discussion of oral health and home care.
Patients should discuss any oral health concerns, changes in their mouth, pain or sensitivity, and ask questions about proper home care techniques.
A dental cleaning is a routine dental appointment where a dental professional will assess oral health and clean the teeth. During this cleaning, they will remove the buildup of bacteria, or plaque, and polish the teeth to protect them until the next cleaning. This appointment is typically quick and simple for those who maintain regular appointments and follow an at-home oral care routine.
Dental scaling is part of a routine dental cleaning. As the dental professional cleans the teeth, they will use a specialized dental tool that looks like a small metal hook to remove plaque and buildup from the surface of the teeth. This process is referred to as scaling.
Deep dental cleaning is very similar to a routine dental cleaning. This cleaning is typically recommended for anyone that has not had a routine dental appointment in a long time or anyone who has excessive buildup on the teeth or beneath the gums. This deep cleaning is also called scaling and root planing, and it goes beneath the gum line to remove harmful bacteria to clean and protect the teeth.
If anyone experiences a dental emergency, they should immediately contact our dental team. Dental emergencies include things such as knocking out a tooth or experiencing dental trauma. The more quickly our team can assess and address the emergency, the better. Always remember that medical emergencies should be handled by a medical professional. If someone is experiencing a medical emergency, they should call 911.
To maintain good oral health between professional cleanings, patients are advised to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash daily. Our team may advise you to take additional steps depending on your oral health situation. Also, your dentist may recommend avoiding smoking or any other activity known to be harmful to oral health.
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person's teeth, gums and/or bite.
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.
These cleanings can help prevent expensive dental emergencies and other common oral health concerns, such as cavities. Follow the recommended at-home routine and schedule cleanings every six months.