What are the different types of dental cleanings?
The different types of dental cleanings are a regular cleaning, a debridement, scaling in the presence of gum inflammation, a deep cleaning, and a periodontal maintenance. Regular cleaning is what you get every six months if you've been very regular. A debridement is something you get if it's been many years since the last cleaning. Scaling in the presence of gum inflammation is done when it has been about a year since your last regular cleaning and there's some gum inflammation. A deep cleaning is when you have buildup deep under the gum that needs to be cleaned out with the gums being numb. The last one, periodontal maintenance, comes after a deep cleaning to help maintain the deep cleaning and the gum health after that.
What is the importance of dental cleaning?
The importance of a dental cleaning is to remove all the bacteria underneath your gums. These bacteria can cause, or have been shown to contribute to Alzheimer's, heart health, and diabetes issues.
How often should I have a dental cleaning?
How often you should have a dental cleaning depends on your dental health history. If you have a history of gum disease and a deep cleaning, we recommend seeing those patients every three or four months at the very least. For someone who is very regular, just has regular cleanings, never had any gum issues, going every six months, then at least twice a year is recommended to help maintain your regular gum health.
Is dental cleaning painful?
For the most part, dental cleaning is not painful. There could be some discomfort if it's been many years since your last cleaning because bacteria have built up over time, and so removing that can be uncomfortable. However, we do have many different types of anesthetic to use for your comfort.
How long should a typical dental cleaning take?
A regular cleaning typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Usually the total appointment duration is about 50 minutes.
What happens during a teeth cleaning?
During a regular cleaning, the hygienist is cleaning all the plaque and any buildup underneath the gums with their dental tools, and they polish your teeth using a very gritty toothpaste. For a deep cleaning, the hygienist will get your gums numb in whatever manner is appropriate, and they will go deep under the gums and clean out all that bacteria that's very deep under the gums that we just can't reach without getting it numb.
Are dental hygienists able to remove all tartar during a dental cleaning?
Yes, dental hygienists are trained to remove all tartar during a dental cleaning.
Can dental cleaning damage the teeth?
No, dental cleaning cannot damage the teeth. Your outer layer of your teeth is very strong and the tools we use are not strong enough to penetrate that, so it should not damage the surface of your teeth.
How do I treat sensitive teeth after dental cleaning?
If you experience sensitivity after dental cleaning, you can use sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne or any other type that may be Colgate or Crest.
How can I schedule a dental cleaning?
You can call your dentist and schedule an exam and cleaning. If you have more questions, please feel free to call our office at (301) 812-4599.
What amounts to good oral health? It doesn’t include only brushing and flossing your teeth, but visiting us for teeth cleaning too.
Teeth cleaning happens to be one of the essential procedures to opt for to maintain your oral health in the long run. Your teeth are often exposed to bacteria, germs, food particles, and other substances. If these elements are not removed on time, they may cause tooth decay which may further spread to your gums and cause gum disease and infection.
We advise you to visit us for teeth cleaning every six months to keep your oral health in check.
What Happens During Teeth Cleaning?
- Physical Examination
We will conduct your physical examination to check the overall condition of your teeth and gums. It may also include taking your X-rays and other scans.
- Removal of Plaque and Tartar
Plaque and tartar are the deposits that build up on the surface of your teeth. They not only make your teeth look discolored but also lead to tooth decay and infection. We will use dental instruments and remove the accumulation from the surface of your teeth and your gum line. This process is known as scaling.
In the next step, we will polish your gums to smoothen them. This process is known as root planing. We may also perform flossing to remove minute particles settled between your teeth.
- Rinsing
We will rinse your mouth thoroughly to remove all the leftover substances and impurities from your mouth.
- Fluoride Treatment
If required, we may give you a fluoride treatment. The procedure involves using a fluoride gel on the surface of your teeth. After the application, we will keep it for some time before rinsing. Ensure not to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after fluoride treatment.
What are the Benefits of Teeth Cleaning?
- Teeth cleaning involves taking your dental X-rays and scans. It helps us to detect a dental problem early and provide a suitable treatment for it.
- Regular teeth cleaning sessions ensure that you do not suffer from cavities. It is one of the best ways to keep tooth and gum decay at bay.
- Teeth cleaning helps maintain your oral hygiene.
- It is an affordable procedure suitable for people of all age groups.
- When you opt for teeth cleaning regularly, you also say goodbye to bad breath.
- Teeth cleaning is a cost-effective treatment widely available. It helps you save your money in the long run.
To find out more about the dental services we offer at Montpelier Family Dentistry, Laurel, MD, call (301) 812-4599 or schedule an online consultation.