A routine dental cleaning has just a few basic steps. Dr. Rebecca Reeves, a dentist in Raleigh, NC, explains.
What to Expect From Your Routine Cleaning: Answers from a Dentist in Raleigh, NC
The Initial Assessment
When you first arrive, the dentist or oral hygienist will take a quick look inside your mouth to check your gums, teeth, and any dental work you have. The purpose is to get a general sense of your overall oral health and to see if there are any visible areas, like receding gums or cavities, that need attention. The dentist might recommend getting some x-rays if you haven’t had any recently, to check for issues that are not visible on the surface. This is also a good time to ask questions or bring up any concerns you’ve had about your oral health.
Scaling and Polishing
These are the steps most people think of when they think of a routine cleaning. Scaling is done with a small ultrasonic instrument that can get to areas that are hard to reach with regular brushing. During scaling. sound vibrations remove plaque and tartar, which are then flushed away with water. After scaling, the dental hygienist will polish your teeth using a small instrument with a small round rotating head, i.e., a fancy electric toothbrush, to apply a gritty paste to your teeth. The purpose of polishing is to remove more plaque and any stains.
Flossing
The dental hygienist will use floss between your teeth to remove any plaque and grit that was not flushed out after polishing. Flossing is important to get to crevices that cannot easily be reached with a toothbrush. This helps keep cavities from forming, since it removes food particles that would attract the growth of bacteria. Flossing also helps your gums stay healthy, since bacteria that may grow on food particles between teeth may lead to gum disease.
Fluoride Treatment
The final step is usually a quick and painless fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the enamel on your teeth; when enamel breaks down, it’s very easy for cavities to form, which is why most brands of toothpaste have fluoride. The dental hygienist will put a fluoride gel or foam in trays shaped to fit around the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. You’ll clamp your teeth down on the trays for a few minutes, to apply the fluoride to your teeth.
Post-Cleaning Care
After the cleaning is finished, the dentist or oral hygienist will discuss your oral care routine with you and give advice for continuing or improving what you’re doing. This is what you might discuss further steps if there are any areas of concern, and schedule follow-up appointments for further care, such as getting cavities filled.
The Importance of Routine Cleanings
Routine cleanings every six months is a significant part of good oral health, together with brushing and flossing your teeth daily at home. Routine cleanings help keep plaque and tartar from building up, and can help to identify small issues before they become big ones or serious problems that you were not aware of.
If you are looking for a friendly and experienced dentist in the Raleigh area, get in touch with Rebecca E. Reeves DMD, PA, in Raleigh, NC.