Dental cleanings are essential for maintaining optimal oral health and function. During these visits,your dentist will clean, polish and floss
your teeth to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria. When combined with brushing and flossing at home, dental cleanings help achieve and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
What is involved in a cleaning at the dentist?
Dental cleanings always involve scaling and polishing your teeth. Depending on your needs, your dentist may also recommend other diagnostic and preventive treatments.
Scaling
During this step, your dentist will use hand instruments called scalers to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth surfaces. In some instances, they may also use an ultrasonic scaler, which vibrates and sprays a jet of water. You might hear scraping sounds during this step.
Polishing
Your dentist will polish your teeth using a soft rubber cup and a special paste or pumice. This removes the biofilm on your teeth surfaces and reduces plaque buildup without damaging your enamel.
How often should you get a dental cleaning?
Patient should schedule teeth cleanings at regular intervals recommended by their dentist. For many people, this will be every six months. But that could change based on your unique oral health needs.
Treatment recommendations :
If your dentist finds anything concerning during your dental cleaning, such as cavities or gum disease, they’ll discuss your treatment options with you in detail.
How long does a dental cleaning take?
On average, routine dental cleanings take between 30 minutes and an hour. If you’re undergoing debridement or scaling and root planing, it could take longer.