Not everyone fancies teeth cleaning appointments. Between the strange noises, the poking, prodding and jaw discomfort, it is easy to relate the ‘dreadful’ treatment with the apprehension. Just like an annual physical exam is vital for your overall well being, regular dental cleaning is ideal for your smile’s health. According to Dr. Wendy, a dental hygienist in Mesa, routine cleaning entails removing calculus and plaque from above and within your teeth and gum line to enhance your oral health and the appearance of your pearly whites. The treatment also allows your dentist to look for other oral health concerns like tooth decay and oral cancer.
What should you expect from a hygienist during a dental cleaning session?
Knowing what to expect during your dental appointment helps calm you down. For instance, a dental cleaning appointment entails the following:
Physical exam
The dental expert will assess your entire mouth before beginning the actual cleaning process. During the physical examination, your dental hygienist will use a relatively small mirror to evaluate your teeth and gum line for signs of gum inflammation (gingivitis) and other dental concerns. If the medical professional detects a complex issue, he might proceed with the treatment.
Removing plaque
Thanks to the mirror guide, the dental hygienist rids your gum line of plaque and tartar between your teeth using a scaler. You might hear scraping, though it is normal. The more tartar your teeth have, the more time the medical professional will scrape the spot. Though your dentist can help remove tartar, regular brushing and flossing might help prevent plaque from hardening. Healthy dental habits will save you the cleaning process, especially if removing plaque is not your favorite part.
Toothpaste cleaning
After your dental hygienist ensures that your teeth are tartar-free, he will clean them with an electric brush. Though the grinding noise might sound scary, the high-powered brushing is an effective deep clean to remove tartar left behind with the scaler. Professional cleaning entails using toothpaste that tastes like ordinary toothpaste though you can choose a different flavor. However, the toothpaste has a characteristic gritty consistency that brushes your teeth gently. If done professionally, your dentist might suggest cleaning at least twice a year. However, the dental expert might not recommend home treatment to prevent wearing down your enamel.
Expert flossing
Whether you floss or not, professional flossing is the ultimate cleaning process. The medical expert gets deep inside your teeth to locate potential spots where gum bleeding might happen. Though expert flossing might appear pointless, especially if you floss at home, process flossing removes leftover plaque and toothpaste from toothpaste cleaning.
Rinsing
The cleaning process entails rinsing your mouth to rid it of debris. The medical professional might rinse your mouth using liquid fluoride.
Fluoride treatment
This is the last step in the cleaning process that your doctor uses as a protectant for your pearly whites to help fight cavities for many months. The medical expert may ask you about your favorite taste before applying the foamy and sticky gel in a fitting mouthpiece that your hygienist fits on your teeth and leaves it for at least a minute.
Contact your dentist to know how you uphold the cleaning processes to enhance your oral health.
