A recent report submitted by the Academy of General Dentistry revealed that professional dental cleaning helps to improve our oral health considerably. However, some of us are a little bit hesitant to schedule a dental cleaning session, because the strange noises, occasional jaw discomfort, and the prodding while cleaning teeth can be scary at times.
It is significant to realize that the process of dental cleaning is actually a painless and simple task. If you have a clear idea on what is going to happen during a specialized dental cleaning session, then you will be able to ease the stress and enjoy your visit to the dentist. Below is a quick look at what usually happens during a dental cleaning session.
Physical Examination
Before the cleaning process begins, dental hygienists will assess your gums and teeth for symptoms of gingivitis or any other issues. If they identify any such oral health concerns, then they will consult with the dentist to check whether it is fine to proceed with the cleaning process or not.
Plague and Tartar Removal
In the next step, the dental hygienist would remove the tartar and plaque around the gum line and from in between your teeth with the help of a scaler. You will probably hear a scraping sound during this process, but it is perfectly normal. If there is more tartar in a particular spot, then it will take a bit more time to remove them from those areas.
Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning
Once your tooth is completely free from tartar, the hygienist will use a high-powered electric brush to brush your teeth. The use of the electric brush allows them to remove the tartar and plaque that the scaler could not trap from your tooth.
Flossing
Then follows flossing, where the dental hygienist will thoroughly examine your teeth and nearby areas. The food particles and plaque that are present in places where your toothbrush cannot reach are thoroughly cleaned in this stage. Note that these buildups may eventually result in gum diseases and even tooth decay, so flossing is a very important step in dental cleaning.
Rinsing and Fluoride Treatment
Your dental hygienist will now give you a rinse with liquid fluoride to get rid of the debris and other buildups. A fluoride treatment is performed next to offer greater protection to your teeth against cavities for about three to six months. If you wish to keep your teeth in fine form and free of any damages, then you should schedule a professional dental cleaning session at least twice every year.
Thanks for helping me learn more about what happens in a dental cleaning session. I find it interesting that they’ll be removing the tartar and also proceed to use liquid fluoride to get rid of other buildups. My sister told me that professional dental cleaning is a thing and I wanted to know about the processes first before I try it. I should probably schedule one from a dentist once I can afford one.