Many people get anxious about receiving dental procedures, even if it’s the most basic: dental cleaning. Patients can be apprehensive even if they know how necessary they are to keep their oral health in perfect condition. They dislike being prodded, sitting in a chair for a long time, hearing strange noises, and feeling cold tools in their mouth. It’s completely understandable. That’s why you should ask our dentist in Dearborn to explain the procedure you seek in detail. This way, you can know what every stage of professional cleaning entails, and hopefully, you’ll be more at ease. Also, when you understand the significance of this appointment and how it impacts your overall health and well-being, you’ll likely be more eager!
The cleaning will be over before you know it, and you’ll enjoy the results of having squeaky-clean teeth and a healthier mouth for months.
Physical exam
After arriving at your local dental office for your teeth cleaning in Dearborn, your dental professional will evaluate the state of your mouth. They thoroughly examine your teeth and soft tissues with the help of a small dental mirror. This little mirror is perfect for visualizing the back of your teeth, the inside of your cheeks, and the gum line surrounding your molars. These are all hard-to-access areas, especially if you can’t open your mouth wide enough. After ensuring there are no other problems to treat, they will proceed with the next step.
Removing plaque buildup
Then comes the tricky part. After spotting all the problem areas in your mouth, the dentist will scrape your teeth and clean the delicate area between your gum line and teeth. These pockets are the part where most of the bacteria thrive and gather, which causes several problems. That’s why you need to regularly visit a dental clinic near you to have your teeth professionally cleaned.
Scraping is also the only way to get rid of tartar formation, which is plaque buildup that solidifies over time, creating discoloration on your teeth’ surface and making them harder to clean. Remember that the more rigorous you are with your oral hygiene at home, the easier and smoother this step will be.
Toothpaste cleaning
After scraping all the tartar and plaque from your teeth’ nooks and crannies, the dentist will continue to clean your teeth. They will use gritty toothpaste and a high-powered toothbrush to scrub your teeth of any residues that might remain from the previous step. It will also help eliminate any superficial stains present on the external surfaces of your teeth.
Expert flossing session
You probably will be surprised that flossing is involved in professional dental cleanings, but nothing is better than a flossing session by an expert. In this step, your dental professional will focus on removing any excess toothpaste or plaque from previous steps of the procedure.
Rinse and repeat
Normally your dentist will provide you with a fluoride rinse so that you can eliminate any remnants hanging around in your mouth.
Time for the fluoride treatment
Last but not least, they will finish the cleaning by applying fluoride to your teeth to help them become stronger against plaque and tooth decay. The fluoride will act as a protective layer that will coat your teeth while strengthening your enamel at the same time. This treatment, usually a varnish, hardens after contact with saliva, meaning you can resume your normal activities immediately after cleaning.
Remember, schedule a cleaning appointment if you’re looking for a dentist area. Your smile will thank you for it.