Many people dread dental cleanings. Between the prodding, unfamiliar noises, and occasional discomfort, it’s easy to understand the apprehension. However, dental cleanings are straightforward and an essential part of maintaining your oral health. If you are anxious about your upcoming appointment, please don’t hesitate to speak with our professional teeth cleaning/dentists located in Basking Ridge & Morristown, NJ who can address your concerns and ensure you are as prepared as possible. Please continue reading as we explain each step you can expect during professional teeth cleaning.
What Happens During a Professional Teeth Cleaning?
First, it’s important to note that professional teeth cleanings can last between 30 minutes to one hour, depending on whether you need X-rays. During this time, you will lie back in a dental chair while a dental hygienist examines your entire mouth. Dental cleanings are typically executed by dental hygienists. They will use a small mirror to check around your teeth and gums for any signs of gingivitis or other potential issues. If any major problems are detected, they will pass this information on to the dentist to make sure it’s alright to proceed.
Understandably, it can be difficult to reach plaque that’s hiding between teeth and along the gum line. As such, a dental hygienist will use a scaler to get rid of plaque and tartar. You will hear scraping, but there’s no need to panic as this is normal. If this is your least favorite part of the teeth-cleaning process, you should brush and floss more often. Brushing and flossing prevent plaque from building up and hardening into tartar. It’s important to keep in mind that when you have tartar, it can only be professionally removed by a dentist. Professional dental cleanings are more thorough than what you can achieve at home.
Next, the hygienist will use a gritty toothpaste and a high-powered electric brush to polish your teeth now that they are completely tar-free. This will remove any tartar left behind from the scaler. Before starting, the hygienist may ask you to pick a flavor. Dental cleanings shouldn’t hurt. Therefore, you don’t need to feel alarmed by the grinding noise the toothbrush produces.
If you have made it this far, you are almost done with your dental cleaning. The hygienist will then floss your teeth, getting deep between your teeth to locate any potential trouble spots where you may bleed at the gums. While this may seem unnecessary because you floss at home, an expert flossing session will remove any plaque or toothpaste from earlier in the cleaning process. The hygienist will then rinse out your mouth to get rid of any debris. This rinse typically contains liquid fluoride. The last step of the cleaning process is a fluoride treatment. This is intended to protect your teeth by fighting against cavities. They will place the foam gel into a mouthpiece that fits over your teeth, which is usually left on your teeth for one minute.
Professional teeth cleanings are scheduled twice a year. If you need a comprehensive dental cleaning from an experienced team, you can count on the dentists and dental hygienists at Dental Associates of Basking Ridge. We are prepared to help you feel more at ease and improve your oral health.
