What Should You Expect During A Dental Cleaning?

Most individuals are anxious about teeth cleanings. With the strange noises, the prodding, and regular jaw discomfort, it is easy to understand the uneasiness. But unlike what you think, teeth cleaning is often painless and simple.

Understanding what happens during Prospect Lefferts Gardens dental cleanings will help ease your anxiety and allow you to better enjoy the minty fresh results. The process entails much more than just scraping off plaque from your teeth. Here is a look at what you should expect during a dental cleaning.

Physical Exam

Dental cleanings mostly start with a dental hygienist. Before getting the actual dental cleaning, the dentist starts with a physical exam of your mouth. They use a mirror to check around your gums and teeth for potential concerns, such as gingivitis.

If the dental hygienist detects any significant dental issue, they will inform the dentist to ensure it is okay to go on. Your dentist will also thoroughly examine the surrounding neck and facial area. After the assessments and recommendations are complete, the cleaning can start.

Removing Tartar and Plaque

Using a small mirror for a good view, the dentist will remove tartar and plaque around your gum line and between the teeth using a scaler. You might hear some scraping, but that is normal. The more plaque and tartar in your mouth, the more time it will take to scrape a particular spot.

Regular flossing and brushing stop plaque from accumulating and hardening into tartar. If you get tartar, it can only be removed by a dentist. Therefore, brush and floss more regularly if you don’t like this part of dental cleaning.

Tenacious Toothpaste Cleaning

Once your teeth are fully tartar free, the next step is brushing them with a high-powered electric brush that makes a grinding noise. While it might sound scary, it is an effective way to give you a deep clean and eliminate any tartar left behind by the scaler.

Dental cleanings use toothpaste that tastes and smells like regular toothpaste. However, the toothpaste comes with a gritty characteristic that gently brushes your teeth. When done by a professional dentist, this teeth polishing is considered safe twice a year.

Professional Flossing 

Even if you floss frequently at home, nothing beats undertaking an expert flossing session. Your dentist will get deeply between your teeth, locating any potential spot where you might get gum bleeding.

Professional flossing might seem pointless if you floss at home. However, a professional will help remove any leftover toothpaste or leftovers from the previous cleaning process.

Rinsing and Fluoride Treatment

The next and final step of the process is rinsing and fluoride treatment. You will rinse out your mouth to remove any leftover debris. Your dentist will give you an ultimate rinse with fluoride liquid. After the rinsing, fluoride treatment safeguards your teeth from fighting against tooth cavities for several months.

Your dentist might inquire about the flavor you like best. He will then put the foamy gel into a mouthpiece customized to fit over your teeth. It is left on your teeth for one minute. The fluoride varnish hardens when it comes into contact with saliva, so you can drink and eat immediately after.

In most cases, dental cleanings are scheduled twice a year. However, based on the observation of your dentist, they might recommend other dental examinations during your visits. For kids, your dentist might recommend molar sealants to prevent cavities in difficult-to-brush areas.

Whether you require any other step during your dental cleaning, the key is to visit your dentist regularly for teeth cleanings. Knowing what to expect in advance will make you less anxious, and look forward to your dental cleaning appointment.