Dental cleaning is essential to prevent tooth decay and cavity or gum disease. So, it is recommended that an adult visit the dentist for professional dental cleaning at least every 6 months. Professional dental cleaning is more important than you think and be rest assured that a routine visit takes about an hour from start to finish.
A constant visit generally includes a comprehensive oral exam, an evaluation of oral hygiene habits and a professional dental cleaning. Read below for more information on everything you need to know about dental cleaning.
What is Dental Cleaning?
A dental cleaning is a routine dental appointment with your dentist to have your teeth cleaned and checked with the use of special tools. You receive preventive and diagnostic services only during dental cleaning.
Preventive treatments include fluoride treatments, stain removal, sticky plaque and hard tartar removal, sealants (for children), teeth polishing and denture or partial denture cleaning if relevant.
Diagnostic treatments may include oral cancer screening, evaluating gum tissue, X-rays to determine the presence of tooth decay and evaluation of your chewing, swallowing and chewing pattern, as well as reviewing your medical. Dental cleanings may also involve tooth brushing and flossing instructions, nutrition counseling and tobacco cessation counseling.
Steps of a Normal Dental Cleaning
The dentist will prepare you for a dental cleaning process, after completing an oral exam. A normal dental cleaning is fairly simple and involves the following steps:
- Scaling: The first step of every dental cleaning is scaling. Scaling is the process of removing all the plaque and tartar above and below the gum-line and between your teeth. A thin metal hand scaler or an automatic ultrasonic scaler is used to perform this step. The handheld ultrasonic scaler uses air pressure and low frequency vibrations to remove plaque buildup and water to rinse it away.
- Polishing: After the tartar and plaque have been removed, the teeth are set to be polished. A polishing paste is applied to each tooth singly with an automatic handheld device. The device uses a small rotating head to buff the teeth and makes them shiny.
- Flossing: Lastly, final floss between teeth takes place and this process doesn’t take time. After a swift floss, you will rinse and be done!
How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
This answer depends entirely on your oral health. Dental cleaning should take about 30 minutes, if your teeth are clean and healthy. It can also take about an hour or more, if your oral health is poor and you have tartar and plaque buildup that needs to be removed.
Generally, you will spend less time in the dentist chair if you maintain your oral health and the routine checkup and cleaning process is painless.
How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
It is recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) to get a dental cleaning done every six (6) months. Most dental insurance providers cover these cleanings if you receive them six months apart. Receiving regular cleanings can help maintain and boost your oral health.
Why are Dental Cleanings Important?
Dental cleanings are important for your oral health because they are one of the best preventive measures for serious oral health issues. A professional dental cleaning is good for your daily oral health routines, such as brushing, polishing, flossing and using fluoride toothpaste. Dentists have special tools that can perform a more intense cleaning than what would be possible with normal brushing and flossing.
Furthermore, it is during dental cleaning that your mouth is examined to ensure that you are not suffering or starting to suffer from serious oral health issues such as oral cancer and gum or cavity disease. You should visit the dentist every six months for an appointment so as to detect serious oral health issues on time.
Put a call across today to schedule your dental cleaning!
