Even if we’re not the biggest fan of such an appointment, coming in for dental cleanings and checkups is an important part of your oral health. These steps help keep your oral cavity clean, freshens up your breath, and stop plaque and tartar from amalgamating along your gum line and between your teeth.
To learn more about dental cleanings and checkups in Lively, talk to a dentist near you today.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
This dental process is extremely straightforward. Not only can it be done in one, 60-minute appointment, but it will also cause you no pain whatsoever. A dental hygienist typically performs your cleaning and your dentist in Lively will stop by every now and then to oversee how things are going and evaluate anything that may be amiss with your smile.
Outlined below are the standards steps of dental cleaning:
Step 1: An initial checkup
A dental checkup is usually done at the beginning of your cleaning. Your hygienists will perform a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums before taking x-rays. Together, these steps allow your dental team to detect any issues that may be occurring below the surface and therefore determine the degree of treatment that you’ll need to repair it.
In some cases, an oral cancer screening may be done too. This takes no more than 5 minutes or so. Your oral tissues will be studied for signs of abnormalities, which can include lumps, mouth sores, and white patches.
Step 2: Scaling
Using a small mirror and a scaling tool, your dental hygienist will scrape off any plaque and tartar off the surface of your teeth and along your gum line.
Step 3: Cleaning
Once your mouth is free of any bacteria, special toothpaste and an electric toothbrush are employed to brush your smile. It’ll feel gritty. Sometimes, you’ll be able to choose the flavor of the toothpaste. This is done to make sure that any lingering bacteria is removed. At the same time, toothpaste also polishes your smile.
Then your teeth are flossed. It’s okay if your gums bleed a little, however, it may be a sign that you need to floss more frequently. Lastly, you’ll be able to rinse out your mouth.
Step 4: Fluoride
The fluoride treatment is a crucial part of any dental cleaning. But why, you may ask?
Because fluoride helps to eliminate and protect your teeth from cavity formation. The effects of fluoride last several months, helping to preserve your overall oral health.
Fluoride can come in a few different forms as well as multiple flavors. You can be asked to swish a liquid version of fluoride around your mouth; it can be applied onto the surface of your teeth as a varnish, or it can be a foamy gel. If this is the case, it’ll be administered into two trays that fit over your top and bottom row of teeth. Regardless of how it’s provided to you, the treatment itself lasts for one minute; then you can spit it out and rinse it once more.
After this, you’re all done! Your dentist may come in and speak with you for a little bit before letting you go. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t be afraid to let them be known. Your dental team is there to walk with you through any treatment, so you don’t encounter any surprises.
As you’ve most likely heard, dentists recommend coming for dental cleanings and checkups near you every six months. This allows you to stay on top of things and, should a more serious issue arise, you’ll be able to address it early.
If you’re looking for convenient, reliable dental care, at Morris Dental Group, we’ve got you covered! Call, come in, or head over to our website and fill out the online form to request an appointment at a time that works for you. We’ll see you soon!