Shiny Happy Teeth: What to Expect During the Professional Teeth Cleaning Process
If it's your first time, or it's been some time, you may wonder about the professional teeth cleaning process. Check out this guide to know what to expect.
Do your gums bleed every time you brush your teeth? Are you avoiding flossing because it makes your mouth hurt?
Surprisingly, about half of all American adults have some form of gum disease. They may notice that their gums are receding, puffy, and bleeding from daily brushing.
If left unchecked, gum disease can cause tooth decay and possibly respiratory and heart problems.
Smokers, seniors, and people with diabetes are at higher risk, but anyone can get gum disease.
If going to the dentist isn't on the top of your to-do list, this article's for you. We'll describe the teeth cleaning process and help you connect with a local dentist.
Preparing for the Teeth Cleaning Process
The only way to fight gum disease is to get your teeth cleaned regularly. In general, you should get your teeth cleaned twice per year.
What is a dental cleaning like? It's a process that allows dentists to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and inspect them for gum disease .
To prepare for your teeth cleaning session, try to floss regularly for at least two weeks. You might also want to switch to a softer toothbrush.
The reason for this step is to see whether your gums are still bleeding after you change your daily routine. If they are, make sure to let your dental hygienist know when you go in for your appointment.
On the day of your visit, brush and floss as you normally would.
X-Rays and Visual Inspection
The first step to getting your teeth cleaned is to get x-rays. Nowadays, dentists can take digital x-rays of your entire mouth.
The advantage of digital x-rays is that dentists can easily view and share the images. Waiting for x-rays to get developed is a thing of the past.
Once you have your x-rays taken, you'll sit in a reclining dental chair. The dental hygienist will look into your mouth with a small mirror, checking for cavities and signs of gum disease.
They may also use a small tool to probe your teeth and gums. If you have any pain during this process, let your hygienist know immediately.
Pain could be a signal of cavities or of bone loss due to gum disease.
Professional Cleaning
The dental cleaning process then continues with a thorough cleaning. If you have plaque buildup on your teeth, the hygienist will remove it with a small scraping tool.
Plaque is bacteria that has built up on your teeth. If your teeth have a yellowish tint to them, you may have plaque that has hardened and turned into tartar.
Either way, the hygienist will thoroughly "scale" and clean your teeth. If you have any cavities, they will make a note of it on their chart and pass that information on to the dentist.
The cleaning isn't typically a painful process, but you might feel a bit sore afterward. It's essential to remove as much tartar and plaque as possible, especially if you haven't had a cleaning for a while.
Polishing and Flossing
After you have your teeth cleaned, the hygienist will use a high-powered rotating polishing tool. This sounds like it would hurt, but it's not a painful process.
In addition to polishing your teeth, your dental hygienist will give you a professional flossing. If you have any flossing questions, this is the time to ask them.
Regular flossing is key in the reversal of early gum disease , called gingivitis. If you don't floss and brush regularly, your gum disease could progress to a much more serious condition called periodontal disease.
If you can't floss your teeth due to pain in your gums, let your hygienist know. You may have pockets of fluid called pus around the roots of your teeth.
In general, let your hygienist and dentist know if you have any pain during the cleaning process.
Fluoride Application
The next step in the teeth cleaning process is a fluoride application. Fluoride is a mineral that helps your teeth fight the erosion caused by acidic drinks and food.
The fluoride application won't take more than a few minutes. Your dental hygienist will insert a mouthpiece into your mouth that is filled with a gel.
After about one minute, they will remove the tray and you can rinse out your mouth.
If you have young children, you should talk to your dentist about treating their teeth with fluoride to prevent cavities. Even if they have their baby teeth, fluoride treatment is a good idea.
Final Inspection
The final step in your dental cleaning appointment is an inspection by your dentist. They will take a close look at the edges of your teeth to see if you have any gum disease.
If you have cavities, this is the time to schedule a follow-up visit. Your dentist may recommend that you change your toothbrush or toothpaste and follow a daily flossing routine.
If your teeth were severely stained from smoking or had a lot of tartar, your doctor may ask you to come in for a second cleaning.
Schedule Your Next Teeth Cleaning!
Although the teeth cleaning process may seem intimidating and complex, it's a vital part of your ongoing dental health.
We love working with patients of any age! Even if you are reluctant to go to the dentist, you'll love our approach to patient care and our personalized service.
To schedule an appointment, you can call our office or request an appointment online. Looking forward to meeting with you and your family!
Dr. Rohit Z Patel
D.D.S
After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Patel continued his postgraduate studies in endodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York. He was appointed to assistant clinical professor of dentistry at Columbia University and later moved on to teach at the Montefiore Medical Center’s Department of Dentistry. Westchester Magazine recognized Dr. Patel as a “Top Dentist for 2012.”
Dr. Yung Kim
D.D.S
Dr. Yung Kim is a double board certified Periodontist and board certified Prosthodontist, educated to treat many extremely complex disorders involving gum disease, tooth decay, and oral pathology. His focus is on full-mouth, complex, surgical, and reconstructive dentistry. He has extensive knowledge of implant dentistry and advanced surgical procedures, specializing in teeth in a day and All-on-Four implants. He is also Invisalign certified and experienced with CAD/CAM restorations and dentures.
Dr. Brendan Gallagher
D.D.S
Dr. Brendan Gallagher is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and reliable surgical care while keeping communication clear and timely with referring offices. He values building strong partnerships with colleagues to ensure the very best care for patients. Outside of practice, Dr. Gallagher enjoys mentoring upcoming dentists through social media and podcasting. He also enjoys running, trying new craft beers and spending time with friends and family. You can find Dr. Gallagher at our Brewster, Tarrytown and Mount Vernon locations.
Dr. Santvana Vyas
D.D.S
Dr Vyas attended NYU College of Dentistry and earned DDS in 2016 at the top of her class. She was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society and earned Outstanding Achievement Award in study of Prosthodontics.
Dr Vyas is an active member of American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) and American Dental Association (ADA). She is appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry. She is married and is blessed with two sons.
Dr. Gianna DeMase
D.D.S
Dr. DeMase received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University where she double-majored in Biology and Spanish. She then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry where she graduated with honors in periodontics. After dental school, Dr. DeMase completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center, a level one trauma hospital. Here, she participated in community outreach in the women’s health clinic and taught medical students how to do oral exams. She also worked with special needs patients in Jacobi’s Rose F. Kennedy Center. Dr. DeMase remains committed to being active in the community.
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Dr. DeMase has experience in cavity restoration, endodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, and prosthodontics including implant restorations.
She highly values patient education and always ensures your comfort and understanding of the treatment. She strongly believes in patient centered care and therefore tailors each treatment plan to you and your needs. As a member of the American Dental Association, Dr. DeMase is always aware of the latest studies and developments in the dental field and strives to apply them to her practice. In her spare time, she can usually be found with a book in her hands.
