A Dentist Explains the Dental Cleaning Process

A dental cleaning is performed to remove plaque and tartar that can naturally build up on teeth and along the gum line. The process is non-invasive and takes less than an hour to complete. It is helpful to understand the steps involved with the dental cleaning process before the day of the appointment.

How the dental cleaning process works

While every experience may be personalized according to the specific needs of the patient, a dental cleaning typically involves scaling each tooth to remove tartar, polishing the teeth, flossing, and rinsing the mouth. This is in addition to the check-up part of the visit, which involves an oral examination and possibly dental x-rays.

An oral examination

The first thing a dentist may do during a dental cleaning visit is to determine the status of the patient's oral health and detect any oral health concerns that are present during an oral examination. This only takes a couple of minutes and does not typically cause any discomfort.

Dental x-rays

Dental x-rays may be ordered if the patient has gone more than a year without new x-rays from the dentist. The x-rays may reveal oral health issues that may not be detected during an oral examination, such as bone loss in the jaw, impacted teeth, and more.

The scaling process

The primary process of a dental cleaning procedure is what is referred to as scaling. This involves scraping away plaque and tartar build-up on the dental enamel and along the gum line. The patient may feel this step in the process, but it should not cause much discomfort.

Polishing

After scaling each tooth, the dentist may polish the teeth. This makes the surface of teeth smoother and reduces the risk of plaque build-up in the future.

Professional flossing

Flossing is typically a part of the dental cleaning process, as well. The dentist can use special dental floss to remove any remaining plaque, tartar, and food particles that have accumulated between teeth.

Rinse the mouth

The last step in the process is to generally rinse the mouth out with water and suction the water and particles from the dental cleaning. This can provide a fresh feeling for the patient. After the procedure, the patient may experience some minor sensitivity that should go away within a couple of weeks.

Schedule a follow-up visit

Before leaving the office, the dentist and their staff can schedule the next visit for additional treatment or for the next dental cleaning in four to six months. They may also provide aftercare instructions to help the patient keep their smile clean between visits.