Brushing and flossing each day helps prevent several oral health issues. However, it is hard to clean all mouth areas by yourself properly. You need the regular help of a dentist to eliminate all oral bacteria and plaque. They will help prevent oral health problems through professional teeth cleaning. Read on for more about the process.
What is Professional Teeth Cleaning?
It is a procedure carried out by a dentist to maintain or achieve excellent oral health. Professional teeth cleaning involves the removal of oral plaque to prevent gum disease and cavities. Types of dental cleaning by the dentist, vary. They include prophylaxis, scaling and root planing, and gross debridement.
The Professional Teeth Cleaning Process
Knowing what to expect during professional dental cleaning helps you prepare for the process. Although the exact procedures applied may vary, they follow a similar routine. Here is what you can expect during professional teeth cleaning.
1. Oral Exam
Our dentist in Austin, TX will begin by physically examining your mouth. They will check for decay, inflammation, and other oral health issues. These experts perform the evaluation using a small concave mirror. If they find indications of disease or decay, they will perform intraoral scans and x-rays to determine the extent. Finally, our dentist will recommend a suitable treatment for any issues.
2. Scaling
The next step involves removing accumulated plaque around the gum line and between your teeth. Your dentist will use a dental scaler and handheld mirror to scrape the tartar off. Although you will hear the sound of scraping, do not be anxious as the procedure is not harmful to teeth.
3. Professional Brushing and Polishing
The dental expert will use a high-powered electric toothbrush and prophylaxis toothpaste. This toothpaste smells and tastes like regular ones but has a grainy consistency that helps scrub teeth. Our dentist may also use a handheld electric tooth with a rubber prophy cup to polish your teeth. It helps remove any remaining stains.
This step takes the longest time since our dentist will focus on hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. As a result, you will experience a slow grinding movement and hear a grinding noise from the devices. Our dentist may administer sedation to calm you if you suffer from dental anxiety.
4. Professional Flossing
Our dentist will expertly floss your teeth, removing residual paste and plaque. They will also indicate areas of concern to which you should pay more attention when flossing.
5. Rinsing
The dental expert will rinse your mouth to eliminate plaque and toothpaste residues. They may spray water into your mouth or use a fluoride rinsing solution.
6. Fluoride Treatment
Finally, they will apply fluoride to your teeth to strengthen and remineralize them. This helps fight against cavities. You will be requested to avoid eating or drinking anything for 30 minutes after the application. This helps your teeth to absorb the mineral fully.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Cleaning
You can expect several benefits after teeth cleaning by our Lakeway dentist. Some of them are:
- The exams enable early detection of oral health problems such as gum disease and decay. They also enable the detection of oral cancer before it progresses and becomes hard to treat.
- The cleanings remove plaque and bacteria in all mouth areas, giving you fresh breath. Your dentist will help you clean hard-to-reach places eliminating bacteria that cause halitosis.
- Professional teeth cleaning prevents dental problems like gum disease, caries, and tooth loss. They also improve your overall well-being by preventing heart disease and diabetes.
- The cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup resulting in a brighter, whiter smile. This improves your self-esteem and confidence.
- The treatments help the dentist to prevent oral health diseases and catch developing ones early. As a result, you will avoid severe issues that will consume your time and money in the future.
Professional teeth cleaning is safe, straightforward, and painless. It has various benefits for oral and overall health. This process is usually performed within an hour. Furthermore, professional teeth cleaning is covered by dental insurance. Therefore, you should go for dental exams and cleaning near you regularly.
Visit a Dentist Near You
Get a chance to experience all the benefits of professional dental cleaning. Contact us at Lake Travis Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule an appointment for professional teeth cleaning in Austin, TX!
