Scheduling professional teeth cleaning at a dental clinic near you is recommended at least every six months. However, some of us often hesitate when it comes to maintaining routine cleanings (for various reasons). Mainly because they do not like the discomfort associated with any form of dental treatment.
The truth is that for the most part, professional teeth cleanings are quick, painless and extremely necessary for long term dental health. One of the few ways you can ease your discomfort or dislike for teeth cleanings is to gain a thorough understanding of the process. This article will take you through the complete process of professional dental cleanings.
1. Physical dental exam
The first step to teeth cleaning is a thorough physical examination of the entire mouth. A small mirror will be used to check teeth and gums for any inflamed gums, tooth decay or other dental issues. If the dentist detects major problems at this point in time, they will discuss potential treatments before proceeding with the cleaning.
2. Removal of plaque and tartar
Dental plaque is a sticky film that is coated around teeth and contains bacteria. When plaque is not cleaned regularly, it hardens over time and becomes quite difficult to remove. Plaque and tartar are the main causes of dental damage and decay. Once plaque develops into the tartar stage, it must be professionally removed since brushing and flossing won’t be helpful. During the teeth cleaning, your dentist in Toronto will use a scaler to scrape off the hardened tartar and plaque.
3. Electric brush
This is often one of the most well-liked steps of teeth cleanings in Toronto since the patient can actually feel how effective it is. Once the dentist completes the removal of plaque and tartar, they use an electric brush with gritty toothpaste to deep clean the mouth. The high powered electric brush that they use makes a sound that is similar to a grinding noise, but it does not cause any discomfort or pain. This is also called teeth polishing and should be done sparingly (twice a year at most).
4. Flossing
During this step, your dentist will be flossing your teeth and checking for areas of the gums that may bleed when flossing. In order to prevent bleeding when flossing, you have to do it regularly – at least once a day – at home. Flossing removes any leftover traces of plaque and the gritty toothpaste from the previous step.
5. Rinsing
Now it is time to fully rinse your mouth to get rid of any debris left behind. The liquid that is used for the final rinse often contains fluoride.
6. Fluoride Treatment
As the final step, your dentist or the dental hygienist will conduct a fluoride treatment. They normally use a mouthpiece filled with a fluoride gel that fits over your teeth. You simply have to bite and hold it in your mouth for about a minute.
Depending on the state of your teeth and general oral health, there may be additional steps to this procedure such as taking X-rays and using molar sealants to prevent cavities at the back of the mouth in areas that are hard to reach when brushing.
Once the cleaning procedure is over, your mouth will be checked for symptoms of gum disease, proper teeth alignment, teeth grinding issues and more. Allocating time to a professional dental cleaning is a must to maintain good oral health. It will not only clean your mouth but will also help your dentist recognize any dental issues that require treatment.