What Happens at a Professional Teeth Cleaning?

Visiting your dentist for a biannual teeth cleaning is one of the best ways to maintain your oral health. Professional teeth cleaning in Dearborn helps treat and prevent gum disease.

If you don’t know what to expect during your biannual teeth cleaning and are apprehensive about visiting the dentist, understanding the process of a teeth cleaning can help settle your nerves.

Professional Teeth Cleaning

At a dental clinic in Dearborn, our dental hygienists and dentists offer a variety of services that help ensure optimal condition of your teeth and gums. Your dental hygienist will show you ways you can improve your at-home oral hygiene routine and they will answer any questions you have. Teeth cleanings include:

Exam

Before your dental hygienist begins your biannual teeth cleaning they will start by examining your mouth. They will use a small mirror to help see every area of your mouth while checking for signs of gum disease (inflamed gums) or other possible concerns. Depending on what they have found they may call in your dentist before proceeding with your teeth cleaning.

Tartar and Plaque Removal

Plaque is the build-up of bacteria that has developed into a film that sticks to your teeth and if it is not removed it will turn into tartar when it hardens. Regular brushing and flossing will help remove plaque, but to have tartar removed you will need a professional dental cleaning. Your dental hygienist will use a tool called a scaler to remove the plaque and tartar that has built-up. You will hear a scraping sound during this step, which is normal.

Polishing

To polish your teeth your dental hygienist will use a gritty toothpaste with a powerful electric toothbrush, which will give your teeth a very thorough deep clean. The grit in the toothpaste helps to polish your teeth.

Flossing and Fluoride

Your dental hygienist will floss your teeth thoroughly to remove any debris, plaque and tartar that might still be between your teeth. After flossing, it is time for a fluoride treatment. Fluoride helps in strengthening your tooth enamel and in protecting your teeth from cavities between teeth cleanings at a dentist near you. The fluoride treatment may be applied as a foam, gel, or liquid.

Periodontal Evaluation

Your dental hygienist will measure the depth of your gum pockets to check for gum disease along with checking for any bleeding sites in your mouth. 

Occlusion Check

Your teeth shift over time and this can affect how your bite functions, and ultimately how you chew and swallow. Depending on how much your teeth have shifted and how your bite is functioning your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist for treatment.

Oral Cancer Screening

Screening for oral cancer is a crucial part of a teeth cleaning near you. Your dentist knows what to look for when they are examining the soft tissues in your mouth along with the area around your jaws for any signs of oral cancer.

Medical History Review

Your dentist will want to make sure they have the most current information about your overall health status as certain conditions could impact the health of your teeth. If anything has changed regarding your overall health make sure you mention it to your dentist at your next teeth cleaning.

Oral Hygiene Education

During your biannual teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist will review with the best practices of brushing and flossing your teeth.

Recommendations

After your dentist has reviewed your X-rays and has examined your mouth they might recommend additional treatment or refer you to see a specialist if necessary.