What to Expect During a Teeth Cleaning
Between avoid going to the dentist out of fear or anxiety, according to WebMD. But teeth cleanings don’t have to be scary when you know what to expect. Our dental practice prioritizes your safety and comfort during your appointment so you can feel peace of mind.
Here’s what you can expect during your dental cleaning. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office. We’d be more than happy to help!
Initial Examination
First, one of our dental hygienists will examine the inside of your mouth for any obvious , gum disease, or other issues. If they detect something, they’ll pause the examination and alert one of our dentists.
Dental X-Rays
We may need to take X-rays if it’s been a while since your last ones. This allows us to see beneath the surface so we can spot early signs of tooth decay, bone loss in the jaw, and other issues.
Plaque and Tartar Removal
We use a dental tool called a scaler to . Plaque is a sticky, invisible film of bacteria that lives inside your mouth. This bacteria eats sugary particles left behind to produce an acid that erodes your enamel and attacks your gums.
This is why it’s vital that you brush and floss your teeth every day at home. That way, you can keep the plaque levels down as much as possible.
Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth
We use a high-powered electric toothbrush with gritty toothpaste to polish your teeth. Next, we floss between each tooth so no dental plaque is left behind. We may provide you with some water and ask you to swish so any remaining particles are rinsed off your teeth and gums.
Checkup With our Dentist
Our dentist will examine the inside of your mouth after your teeth cleaning. They’ll also look at your X-rays to make sure there are no cavities lurking beneath the surface. This is a great time to ask our dentist any questions you might have.
Your teeth cleaning appointment is a great opportunity to get advice tailored to your oral health needs, medical history, and lifestyle. Our family dentists understand the importance of developing relationships with patients based on honesty, trust, and compassion. As such, they would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have at this time.
How Often Do I Need a Teeth Cleaning?
In general, we recommend that our patients get a dental cleaning every six months. But it’s important to remember that each patient is different. For example, our dentists may recommend that you have more frequent teeth cleanings if you have a history of gum disease.
While it’s true that you can remove plaque at home by practicing good oral hygiene, only a skilled dental professional will be able to remove tartar. It only takes between 24 and 72 hours for the minerals in your saliva to turn plaque into tartar. That’s why it’s important that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily. A routine teeth cleaning will also take care of any tartar that may have formed on your teeth since your last appointment.
A professional teeth cleaning gives you a thorough clean. Your teeth may also feel smoother after we remove the plaque and tartar buildup.
Conclusion
Routine dental cleanings are one of the best ways to protect your oral health in the long run. That’s because we’re able to remove plaque and tartar buildup—the underlying problem in many oral health issues.
During your teeth cleaning appointment, we also examine the inside of your mouth, possibly take X-rays, and screen for oral cancer. All of these preventive dental services can help you maintain a healthy smile for life!
Schedule Your Next Appointment
Our , are dedicated to helping patients maintain healthy smiles for life. To schedule your next teeth cleaning, call Advance Dental at (616) 956-9183. We hope we hear from you soon!
This blog post has been updated.
