It is common knowledge that keeping your teeth clean is one of the best ways to care for your dental and overall health. However, what exactly happens during dental cleanings, and why it is an important thing that you should regularly observe? This article will help you understand the process behind teeth cleaning and why brushing, flossing, and gargling mouthwash is not enough to keep your mouth clean. 

Dental Cleaning: How It Is Done

Dental cleaning is the process of removing hardened plaque surrounding your teeth. The dental hygienist uses specialized dental tools to get rid of this buildup. Here is what typically happens during the treatment.

Step 1: Examining of Teeth

The dental hygienist would first look closely at your teeth and assess their condition. Using a small mirror, they would inspect your teeth and gums to see if there are any signs of inflammation or if there are other dental concerns about which you should know. They will not push through with the cleaning process if there are severe gum problems that need to be addressed first.

Step 2: The Scaling Process

Once everything is cleared, it is time to remove the plaque and tartar. Tartar is the hardened plaque buildup in your mouth, and it can only get removed using particular dental tools. Using these hand tools, your dentist will get rid of all the dirt surrounding your teeth. The more buildup there is in your teeth, the more time it would take them to clean and remove it. 

Step 3: Deep Cleaning

Once all the plaque and tartar are removed, your dental hygienist will deep clean your teeth using high-powered electric brushes and a special toothpaste to eliminate the remaining tartar on your teeth. The process also ends up polishing your teeth. However, this step should only be done twice a year to preserve your teeth’s enamel.

Step 4: Professional Flossing Session

This part is when the dental hygienist does the flossing for you. They will ensure that there is no leftover debris hiding in between your teeth. Doing this process also helps them locate trouble spots that easily bleed in your gums. 

Step 5: Rinsing

Your dental hygienist will give you a liquid that contains fluoride. They will ask you to gargle it to get rid of all the debris and dirt in your mouth. 

Step 6: Fluoride Treatment Application

Finally, they will apply a fluoride treatment to your newly cleaned teeth. This coating will serve as your teeth’s temporary defence against cavities for the next few months. 

If you brush your teeth correctly and follow other dental hygiene practices, the dental cleaning process would be simple and easy for you. However, the experience might be longer and more tedious for people who are not comfortable with all the strange noises and prodding they need to endure.

What Dental Cleaning Would Do Good to You

Dental cleaning is not a service dentists offer to get more money from you. It has health benefits that can help you save more in the future.

  • It removes the plaque and tartar that you have been trying to eliminate on your own.
  • It protects your gums from developing conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis. 
  • It prevents the bacteria from circulating into your bloodstream.

Conclusion

The Canadian Dental Association recommends you visit a dentist for professional teeth cleaning to prevent severe teeth damages and detect dental problems before they get worse. In general, it is ideal that you conduct teeth cleaning every six months to make sure all the plaque and tartar are thoroughly removed. However, the frequency is highly dependent on your individual needs. It would depend on the condition of your teeth, your risk of oral diseases, and what your dentist recommends. It is best to consult with your dentist to know how often you should have your teeth cleaned.

If you do not have a dentist yet and are looking for teeth cleaning services in Edmonton, visit us at Edmonton Smiles. We provide affordable and patient-centric dental care that would ensure you have a perfect and great-looking smile every time. Call (587) 410-5907 to make an appointment.

Posted in Dental News & Advice