What is teeth cleaning?
Teeth cleaning is a preventive measure that removes plaque from between your teeth and underneath your gumline. Plaque is a thin film of saliva, bacteria, and food particles that occurs due to biting and chewing. Brushing and flossing your teeth helps prevent plaque buildup, but it doesn’t eliminate it entirely.
During professional teeth cleaning, your dentist eliminates plaque that has hardened into tartar. Cleaning your teeth keeps the supporting gum tissue healthy, lowering the risk of gum disease, gum recession, and bone loss.
What does teeth cleaning involve?
At Patrick Ryan, DMD, teeth cleaning is a multi-step process:
Step one: Oral exam
Before cleaning your teeth, your dentist uses a small, handheld mirror to observe your gums, teeth, tongue, and cheeks. During the exam, they look for signs of cavities, gum disease, or other potentially serious issues.
If they detect anything unusual, they can order additional testing, like a biopsy or digital X-rays.
Step two: Removal of dental plaque
Following the exam, your dentist uses a dental scaler to remove plaque and tartar from beneath your gums. It’s normal to hear some scraping noises during this part of the cleaning.
Step three: Polishing your teeth
After removing the plaque and tartar, your dentist polishes your teeth with gritty toothpaste. The gritty consistency of the paste deep-cleans your enamel, helping prevent stains and discoloration that occur due to general wear-and-tear.
Step four: Professional flossing
When your dentist finishes polishing your teeth, they floss them. Flossing eradicates food particles and harmful bacteria from between your teeth. It also massages your gums, making them less susceptible to inflammation.
Step five: Fluoride treatment
If you have a history of tooth decay, your dentist might prescribe a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a mineral that’s found in some foods and most tap water. It helps strengthen your tooth enamel, lowering the risk of cavities.
How often do my teeth need professional cleaning?
Patrick Ryan, DMD, recommends you undergo professional teeth cleaning at least two times each year. Cavities and gum disease present few obvious symptoms, so you might be at risk and not realize it. Regular checkups can alert you to potentially serious issues early on when they’re most responsive to treatment.
To learn more about teeth cleaning, make an appointment at the practice of Patrick Ryan, DMD, by calling the nearest office, or using the online booking tool today.
