How Do Dentists Clean Your Teeth?

Many people dread dental cleanings; between the strange noises, the prodding, and the occasional jaw discomfort, it is easy to understand this apprehension. But for most cases, professional tooth cleaning should be simple and painless. In addition, knowing exactly what happens during the process can help ease your stress and allow you to enjoy your minty fresh results better.

Here are the steps that one undergoes during a dental exam and cleaning. They include:

• 1. A Physical Exam

Dental cleanings are performed by either a dental hygienist or a dentist. Before the actual cleaning begins, your dentist must start with a physical exam. Next, the dental hygienist will examine your mouth using a small mirror to check your teeth and gums for any signs of gingivitis or potential concern.

If they detect a major problem, the dental hygienist might call the dentist to ensure that it is fine before proceeding.

• 2. Removing Plaque – How Do Dentists Remove Plague?

Using the small mirror to guide them around your mouth, your dentist will use a scaler to remove plaque around your gum line and between your teeth.

• 3. Removing Tartar – How Do Dentists Remove Tartar?

After examining your entire mouth, your dentist will remove the tartar inside your mouth by using an instrument called a scaler. A scalar has a hook that is used to scrape off the tartar from above and below your gumline. However, if you have excessive tartar build-up, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning, which combines root planing and scaling.

Sometimes your dentist might use ultrasonic instruments to remove the tartar. The vibrating metal top of the ultrasonic device loosens this tartar and chips it off from your tooth surface. A water spray then follows this to wash away the tartar.

• 4. Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning

Once your teeth are completely tartar free, your dentist will brush them using a high-powered electric brush that makes some grinding noise. While this may sound scary, it’s a great way of deep cleaning your teeth to remove any tartar the scaler may have left.

Professional dental cleanings use toothpaste that tastes and smells like regular toothpaste, though there is an option of choosing from different flavors. However, it has a gritty consistency that scrubs your teeth. If it is done by a professional, thus poisoning is safe for your teeth and can be done at most twice a year.

• 5. Expert Flossing

Expert flossing sessions are the most effective whether you are regularly at home or not. Your dentist will get deep between your teeth and locate any potential spots where it may cause gum disease or bleeding.

It might seem pointless to floss at home, but having a professional floss your teeth removes any toothpaste from the earlier cleaning or leftover plaque.

• 6. Rinsing

Rinsing your mouth to eliminate any debris is very important. Your dentist will give you a rinse containing liquid fluoride to rinse your mouth.

• 7. Applying Fluoride Treatment

Lastly, there is a fluoride treatment. This treatment is a protectant for your teeth to help them fight against tooth decay and cavities until your next dental cleaning.

Your dentist may ask you to choose the flavor you like best from the different flavors. Then, they will place a formal gel, sometimes a sticky paste, into a mouthpiece that fits over your teeth. This is usually left on your teeth for a while. Besides the gel, a fluoride varnish is painted on your teeth with a small brush. The fluoride varnish will harden when in contact t with your saliva, so you can eat and drink it immediately after.

Some steps that may be done during your dental exams and cleanings in Mississauga, ON, may include scheduling your next appointment. However, depending on what your dentist observes in your mouth, they might do other exams during your visit.

For children, the dentist may recommend molar sealants to help prevent cavities in areas that your brushes cannot reach. Whether you need any additional steps, the key is to keep going to the dentist for regular teeth cleanings to prevent any problems. Talk to your dentist at Forest Park Dental Arts if you need any guidance on dental exams or dental cleanings.