So you’ve discovered that your next visit to the dentist is going to involve a professional cleaning and you’re not entirely sure what all that means? Are you anxious that you may have to withstand the whirring of drills and painful prodding during this procedure? Would learning a bit more about what to expect go a long way towards helping you face the next visit calmly? Then read on and we’ll clear the air about what happens during a professional dental cleaning by your dentist.
The Initial Exam Comes First
When you first arrive at the office you’ll be settled into your dental chair to receive a traditional examination. This is an important part of the process to ensure that the hygienist and dentist are familiar with what’s going on with your oral health and determine if there are any signs of more serious issues. These can include gingivitis, periodontitis, and even oral cancer, all things your dentist is on the lookout for during these procedures.
Tartar and Plaque Removal Is The Next Step
This is often the most intensive part of the cleaning process, with the hygienist ensuring that every last vestige of plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth. Plaque is that filmy substance that we all develop on our teeth during the day, and that we often feel on our teeth when we wake up with them feeling fuzzy. Tartar happens when this substance isn’t properly removed, and can only be removed through the application of a special tool used by your hygienist called a scaler.
Then They Get Into All The Nooks And Crannies
The next step is one that a lot of dental patients should do more of at home, a thorough and professional flossing. Throughout this procedure the hygienist will ensure that every vestige of debris, plaque, and tartar is removed from the nooks and crannies of your teeth. Sometimes you’ll experience some minor bleeding if your gums aren’t used to the flossing procedure.
This is Followed By A Thorough Cleaning With Special Toothpaste
The toothpaste your hygienist uses is of a more gritty texture than that you typically use at home. Its rougher nature means that you shouldn’t use it at home, but in the hands of a professional it can provide a more thorough cleaning than you’ll ever manage at home. Following this procedure they’ll wash it all away with a water stream and suck up all the remaining grit with the saliva extractor.
Tie It Up With Fluoride and a Rinse
The next step involves the use of a fluoride gel you probably remember as a kid. They come in a variety of flavors and are put in a tray that is then inserted into your mouth. The gel has a distinctly sour and tingly taste underneath whatever flavor you pick, and is a medium for providing extra fluoride to your teeth.
Now that you know whats involved in a dental cleaning you can make an appointment in Aurora IL with Dr. Bon Dokhanchi at Fox Valley Dental Center. Their team of trained professionals has provided expert dental care to the patients in their community, and look forward to you joining their dental family.
