Learn What a Dental Hygienist is Doing During Your Dental Cleaning
For the majority of us, going to the dentist for a regular cleaning is routine. We simply wait patiently through the process knowing what to anticipate in return for being able to leave feeling spotlessly clean. But just because we put up with the dental hygienist’s attentions doesn’t mean we necessarily grasp what they’re doing to our teeth and gums!
It’s simple to put your trust in a kind dental hygienist to take the necessary measures to thoroughly clean your teeth. You could start to wonder why all the poking and prodding is necessary if you attend a dentist office other than California Dental Group and end up with a gruff or thoughtless hygienist. Here is a quick explanation of the cleaning procedure to assist you understand what is happening.
Flossing and brushing
Naturally, in order to clean your teeth, your dental hygienist must brush and floss them. But you might not be accustomed to the instruments and methods the hygienist uses at home. The hygienist doesn’t use a toothbrush, to start.
Instead, they make use of an electronic polisher with no actual bristles. To assist eliminate stains, leaving your teeth smooth and clean, and help make it tougher for plaque bacteria to cling for a while, a specially prepared toothpaste is used in conjunction with the polisher. Additionally, your hygienist will clean your teeth correctly; you might need a refresher course on this yourself.
Tartar elimination
Some people experience a slight increase in anxiety at this point. Your teeth need to have tartar that has formed from plaque removed from both the top and bottom of the gum line by the dental hygienist. This procedure is crucial since tartar can otherwise lead to gum disease. Some toothpastes can prevent tartar formation in the future, but they cannot remove tartar that has already formed.
Tartar can only be removed by a dentist. While ultrasonic scaling equipment can help to break down tartar, there will likely be a few stubborn spots that need to be attacked with hand tool. A tool with a sharp hook will be used by your dental hygienist to remove tartar above the gum line, and a tool with a rounded end will be used to clean below the gum line.
Gum pocket measuring
In addition to brushing your teeth, the dental hygienist will assist you look inside your mouth to see if there are any issues that the dentist should check out during your regular dental checkup. The measurement of the gum pockets is one step in this procedure that many patients dislike.
To accomplish this, the hygienist will carefully place a specialized tool beneath the gum line. A measurement of 1 to 3 mm is considered normal, but 4 mm is likely to warrant a recommendation for improved dental hygiene. If your gum pockets are 5 mm or larger, you are at risk for developing gum disease and may require a specialized deep cleaning to remove all of the bacteria.
Keep in mind that all of the professional dental hygienists at California Dental Group are exceedingly gentle. You can always ask them to pause and address any inquiries you may have regarding the various aspects of your regular dental cleaning.
