Professional Teeth Cleaning

What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?

Teeth cleanings are one of the most common procedures performed at a dental office and usually take no more than 30-60 minutes. They are minimally invasive and cause little to no discomfort for the patient.

Dentists at Kurt R. Kwiatkowski DDS, SC, and his team have performed dental cleanings for decades. Whether you need a routine cleaning for just yourself or your entire family, we are ready to take care of your oral health. Here’s what you can expect from professional teeth cleaning:

1. Examination of your mouth: Here, we will ask you about changes in your oral health to see if there are any issues that need to be addressed. Next, we will inspect your mouth, testing the strength of your teeth and looking for signs of disease. If you are due, we may also perform dental x-rays, which allow us to see the roots of your teeth and detect cavities.
2. Remove plaque and other debris: Our hygienists will use a scaler and mirror to remove all signs of plaque, staining, and build-up on your teeth. This is extremely important to prevent tooth decay and ensure your teeth remain healthy. Some patients may feel mild discomfort, but this part of the process is usually not painful.
3. Deep cleaning: We will then use a professional-grade toothbrush to provide your teeth with a deep cleaning. We use a special, gritty toothpaste that breaks down whatever debris may be leftover in your mouth. This process leaves you with polished, bright teeth.
4. Expert flossing: Our hygienists will then get into the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth and gums with expert flossing. Your gums may bleed slightly during this process—this could be an early sign of gingivitis and means you should floss more often.
5. Fluoride treatment: A fluoride gel is placed onto your teeth, which creates an extra barrier against food, debris, and other bacteria. Fluoride works to mineralize your teeth and help strengthen the enamel.

Do I Really Need a Professional Cleaning?

It is recommended that you see a dentist for routine cleaning twice per year or every six months. Many patients wonder if they really need to see a dentist that frequently. Even if you have impeccable brushing habits, plaque naturally builds up on the teeth over time. While flossing every day helps significantly to remove debris from your mouth, the truth is that most individuals cannot remove the number of debris that a professional hygienist can.

The tools used in professional cleaning are simply better at removing plaque, tartar, and debris than regular toothbrushes and floss. Routine visits to the dentist also help detect early signs of cavities, infections, and even oral cancers. We conduct these screenings during every visit so that we can resolve issues before they cause problems.

Benefits of a Dental Check-Up

• Remove plaque, tartar, bacteria, and debris from your mouth that ordinary toothbrushes can’t.
• Help protect your tooth enamel.
• Detect early signs of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and oral cancer.
• Get answers to your questions related to dental hygiene and your health.
• Detect early signs of diabetes and heart disease.
• Prevent costly dental care down the road.
• Monitor the progress of your oral health and the condition of your teeth.