On average, it takes around thirty minutes to an hour to do a teeth cleaning in Issaquah for every patient. For dentists, it’s a painless and simple process but for people who rarely have their teeth cleaned, the idea of being in a dental chair for at least half an hour can be mentally draining.
It doesn’t help that most Americans have developed this deep-seated fear of dental professionals.
To help ease your apprehension, we’ve broken down the teeth cleaning process so you’ll know what to expect the moment you lay in that reclining dental chair. Knowledge is power. The more information you know about a procedure, the less scared you’ll become.
Keep in mind that you can’t escape teeth cleaning. According to the American Dental Association, everyone is encouraged to have their teeth cleaned by the dentist at least twice a year.
The procedure starts with a physical exam of your mouth. A tiny mirror is used to check your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, etc.
After assessing your mouth, your dentist will decide if you should push through with the cleaning, or if you need other treatments.
The goal of teeth cleaning is to remove any trace of plaque and tartar that may have formed on your teeth and along the gum line. The instrument used to remove the gunk off your teeth is called a scaler. A small handheld mirror is used to guide the dentist to better visualize your teeth.
Your dentist will work on each tooth carefully scraping off plaque and hardened tartar. The amount of time allocated for each tooth will depend on the amount of plaque and tartar it has.
Although brushing and flossing can help tame the buildup of plaque, there will be areas in your mouth that cannot be thoroughly cleaned by your toothbrush and floss. These are the areas where plaque can turn into tartar.
Once all the tartar has been removed, your dentist will use an electric brush and sandy toothpaste to scrub your teeth clean.
You’ll hear a low grinding sound as your dentist brushes your teeth. It’s a high-powered brush that removes all traces of tartar.
You can’t escape flossing as it is part of the procedure. Your dentist will expertly slide the floss in between each tooth to remove plaque, bacteria, and food debris that have lodged there. Your dentist can slide it deep between your teeth to check for trouble areas.
After flossing, you’ll be asked to rinse your mouth. A liquid fluoride rinse is all ready for you at the sink beside your chair.
Last but not least is the fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a treatment that helps strengthen your enamel to protect your teeth against cavities and tooth decay for a number of months.
If you get lucky, your dentist will ask you to choose what flavor you want.
A paste is placed in a mouthpiece that your dentist will fit over your teeth. It will be left there for about a minute.
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If you’re going to have your teeth cleaned, make sure you find a reliable dentist.
At Apex Dental Care, your oral health is our top priority. We have been in the industry for nearly two decades and we take pride in our skills and experience in providing general, restorative, and cosmetic dental care.
If you have questions about our services, don’t hesitate to call us for more information.
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