Wondering what happens at a dentist teeth cleaning? Here’s a rundown of what happens so that you know what to expect at your next check up.
Taking care of our teeth is important in life, but cleaning teeth doesn’t only happen at home. It needs to happen at the dentist too. A routine dental check up and professional teeth cleaning service is one of the most important things you can do to maintain lifelong health. People are often a little wary of the dentist, but a teeth cleaning isn’t anything to be worried about.
This is your rundown on what happens at your checkup — and why you can breathe easy about it.
What happens during a dental scale and clean?
It’s time to get comfortable in the chair and let the professionals start doing their work. Here’s what you can expect at your dentist clean and check up.
Physical exam
Your appointment begins with your dentist checking over the physical state of your teeth and gums. They will examine their health and assess any existing or potential issues. These include early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, physical damage and any other oral health issues.
Your dentist will also check for any cavities, making a note of how much plaque buildup your teeth have.
Your dentist will also check your tongue and jaw. They may ask you to have some dental x-rays to get a more in-depth look.
The physical assessment is an important first step that informs your dentist about the state of your dental health.
Scaling
If your dentist finds no major concerns, they will begin the teeth cleaning process, which starts with scaling. Dental scaling involves using a small scraper to remove plaque that sits around your gums and between your teeth. Once plaque has hardened into tartar, scaling is the only way to remove it.
During scaling, you may be able to hear the scraping on your teeth. However, numbing gel will ensure that you aren’t able to feel anything other than slight pressure. If the noise concerns you, ask your dentist if it’s ok to wear earphones and listen to some music.
It’s important to note: we don’t advise scaling teeth at home. Experienced professionals are best suited to handle scaling. A dentist cleaning teeth comes with many years of study, training and experience. Your teeth deep clean should be left in their hands.
Brushing and flossing
After scaling, the dentist uses a high-powered brush and a gritty toothpaste to scrub your teeth and remove any traces of plaque. Due to the consistency of the toothpaste, this brushing also comes with the benefit of some teeth polishing.
Dental cleaning has a lot of benefits for your dental health, but it shouldn’t be done too regularly. Professional dental cleaning is a lot harsher than your regular clean at home. It should only be done around twice a year unless recommended more by your dentist or oral health therapist. While you may love the polished look and feel, do not try to replicate this type of clean at home.
Fluoride treatment
Some dentists may provide a fluoride treatment. They administered a foamy gel that remineralises your teeth to prevent tooth decay. Following a fluoride treatment, you should not eat or drink for 30 minutes.
Recommendations
With your teeth cleaning finished, your dentist will recommend potential treatments you might need to fix prevent any issues. This could include orthodontic treatments to correct the position of your teeth, a discussion around potential cosmetic options, or strategies to prevent tooth decay and gum tissue damage.
How often should you get an oral health check-up?
Your dental appointment is not a once-off. Regular check-ups give your dentist the opportunity to track your dental health. This keeps them aware of how issues may be progressing or healing, and whether intervention may be required. To give your dentist the best chance to treat you effectively, we recommend booking an appointment every 6 months at a minimum. Depending on your needs, your dentist may request more frequent visits.
How long does a dental clean take?
The length of your dental check-up and clean depends on how healthy your teeth are, and how much the dentist has to intervene.
The average appointment will take somewhere between 30 minutes to an hour, but it’s important that your dentist takes their time and checks every area of your teeth.
If your dental cleaning habits at home are lacking, your appointment will take longer as there will be more tartar and plaque to clean.
Part of your appointment should always include a chat with your dentist about the state of your teeth, and whether any of your cleaning habits need to be changed.
Tips to keep your teeth clean
There are so many benefits to having clean teeth, not only including overall oral health, but also self-esteem, confidence and a fresh feeling. Beyond your deep teeth clean in the chair, these are some of our best tips to clean teeth effectively and keep them clean.
Brush and floss regularly
It’s well-known information for a reason: everyone should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day, and flossing at least once. In addition, remember to clean your tongue and to replace your brush every three to four months, or when the bristles become frayed.
Watch what you consume
We know that completely cutting out sugary foods and drinks is probably impossible, but it’s good practice to limit how often you’re consuming them. Sugar lingers in the mouth, generating acids that cause your teeth to decay. If you do consume a lot of sugar, try and brush your teeth around half an hour after eating before the acid can develop.
Use mouthwash
Using some mouthwash can help remove any excess food particles or plaque from your mouth, while also helping your breath stay fresh. Mouthwash also helps fight gum disease, soothes any sores in the mouth and contributes to the fight against tooth decay, all while leaving you with that clean teeth feel.
Dental teeth cleaning for you!
Coming to the dentist shouldn’t be a chore — it should be a treat! Our dentists scale and clean teeth with a gentle touch and years of experience, doing our best to keep you comfortable, avoid tooth decay and gum disease, and help you keep your healthy teeth in the best condition possible. We also prepare you for what comes next, teaching you normal everyday brushing and the best ways to clean teeth at home and keep your smile fresh!
Clean and whiten teeth with a visit to Oakleigh Dental, where our focus is helping you smile.
