Professional Dental Cleaning is More Than Just Cleaning
Most people might think that just brushing and flossing at home is adequate to keep their teeth clean. However, brushing and flossing will keep teeth healthy but having your teeth cleaned professionally by your dentist is more than just about cleaning. It will detect problems earlier before it can develop into cavities, gum disease, or require significant and expensive dental procedures. In the ordinary course of a day, plaque can buildup on our teeth and beneath the gum line. Regularly brushing will remove most plaque buildup but a small amount remains. Over time plaque buildup forms into a sticky and crusty deposit called tartar. Tartar can be tough to remove with just brushing alone. Just having your teeth cleaned yearly by a professional can significantly improve your oral health. Your dentist will have the proper tools to clean your teeth much thoroughly then what you can do at home.
How is a professional dental cleaning different from home brushing and flossing?
When you visit your dentist for a cleaning, the dental hygienist will usually perform five procedures to clean the surface and between your teeth thoroughly. Let’s take a closer look at how these simple dental procedures help make cleaning in the office so different from at home.
1. Perform a physical exam
Before cleaning your teeth, the dental hygienist will examine the condition of your teeth and gums to determine the status of your oral health. The hygienist will check your teeth and gums for infections or signs of cavities using a small mirror. If any significant problems are found, the hygienist will inform the dentist.
2.Plaque and tartar scaling
To remove plaque and tartar buildup, the dental hygienist will use a small mirror to guide the scaler to scrape plaque and tartar off between the teeth and underneath the gum line. This procedure can take some time depending on how severe the plaque and tartar build up.
3.Toothpaste cleaning
After scaling your teeth to remove tartar, the hygienist will brush the teeth with a high-powered electric brush. This high-powered electric brushing gives your teeth a deep cleaning to remove any tartar left behind from the scaler. A high grit toothpaste is then applied to the teeth to scrub and polish the teeth gently.
4.Flossing and flushing
After your teeth are clean, the hygienist will floss you between your teeth and rinse your mouth to get rid of any debris during cleaning.
5.Fluoride treatment
The last step of the cleaning process is a fluoride treatment. Fluoride treatment is used as a protectant for your teeth to help fight against cavities.
Ready to schedule your dental cleaning appointment? It’s always important to stay on top of getting your teeth professionally cleaned. Be sure to contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 for your appointment.
