Is It Necessary to Have a Dental Exam and Cleaning For My Teeth?

July 9, 2022

You might be wondering how important it is to undergo a dental exam and cleaning for your teeth. Well, you’re at the right page so keep reading ahead to get the answer about dental cleaning in Marysville!

The Importance of a Dental Exam and Cleaning for Teeth

Dental professionals recommend regular teeth cleaning sessions because it helps keep your teeth free from plaque and tartar. Additionally, the dental exam helps to inspect any early signs of gum disease or other dental concerns. Lastly, the tools used in professional cleaning help keep your teeth clean and polished.

What Happens During Teeth Cleaning?

What exactly happens when you have your teeth professionally cleaned? Here is how a general cleaning usually goes.

#1 – Physical exam

The majority of teeth cleanings are done by a dental hygienist. Prior to the actual cleaning process, an exam of your entire mouth will be done in order to assess the current situation. The dental hygienist takes a small mirror to inspect the area around your teeth and gums and will look for any signs of inflamed gums or gingivitis. 

While inspecting, they will ask questions regarding tooth pain and sensitivity. X-rays can also be possibly done in order to see the severity of the infection or decay spotted. 

If they spot any issue that’s a cause for concern, then they may need to call the dentist and ask for a “go” signal to proceed with the cleaning.

#2 – Plaque and tartar removal

With the help of the small mirror guiding them, the dental hygienist then uses a scaler to eliminate the tartar or plaque around the lining of your gums and between your teeth. There will be scraping sounds that you might hear, but it’s normal. If there’s a lot of tartar in your mouth, then the more scraping they’ll have to do to get rid of it completely.

Flossing and brushing help prevent plaque from building up, resulting in tartar. Once it forms into tartar, the only way to have it removed is by visiting the dental clinic. So be sure to brush and floss regularly in order to avoid visiting your dentist in Marysville.

#3 – Cleaning with toothpaste

After the tartar on your teeth gets entirely scraped, the hygienist then brushes them with an electric brush that’s high-powered. Keep in mind that it makes a loud grinding noise, but the process is relatively painless.

When it comes to professional cleanings, the toothpaste they use seems like the regular kind, but it has a grainy consistency that scrubs your teeth gently.

If a professional has done the cleaning, then the teeth polishing is safe to do two times a year. Just remember that you can’t be as harsh with your teeth when you’re cleaning them at home because you can destroy the enamel.

#4 – Flossing

Even if you floss regularly at home, nothing compares to a professional flossing session. They can get really deep in between your teeth and spot areas that need a bit more cleaning. Additionally, flossing gets rid of any excess toothpaste or plaque from the previous steps in the cleaning process.

#5 – Rinsing

After brushing and flossing your teeth, you’ll be instructed to rinse out of your mouth to remove any leftover particles.

#6 – Application of fluoride treatment

This is the final step of the cleaning process. Applying fluoride treatment protects your teeth against cavities for a couple of months.

You may be asked which flavor you like best. After you’ve given them an answer, they will place a foamy gel substance into a mouthpiece to be placed on your teeth. It will be left there for about a minute or so. Aside from the foamy gel, there is also fluoride varnish that will be painted onto your teeth using a tiny brush. The varnish hardens when it comes into contact with saliva, which won’t hinder you from eating or drinking immediately after the cleaning.

The Difference Between Professional Cleaning and Doing It At Home

If you’re thinking about why you have to get a professional cleaning when you’ve been taking good care of your teeth at home, there’s a significant difference between the two.

Dental experts use professional equipment and tools that help maintain your oral health. During general cleanings you use Scalers, powered brushes, and fluoride treatments, to name a few.

If you find high-quality toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss that you use at home, these products will never be at the same level as professional products. Sometimes, regular brushing and flossing won’t get rid of all the plaque in your teeth. This is why regular cleanings are helpful in eliminating all bacteria and plaque buildup, especially in hard-to-reach spots.

Your dentist or orthodontist can spot early indicators of oral disease before it becomes prevalent. Being able to catch symptoms early on makes sure that the condition doesn’t worsen to the point where you need to undergo extensive dental treatment just to fix it.

How Often Should You Get a Dental Exam and Cleaning For Your Teeth

The frequency of getting a dental exam and cleaning will depend on the individual’s oral needs because everyone is different. There are some people who are more vulnerable to developing dental issues, making it a necessity for them to visit the orthodontist quite often. On the other hand, there are others who don’t get dental concerns frequently, which means that they require fewer cleaning sessions.

Generally speaking, patients should set an appointment for a dental cleaning at least twice a year (or every six months). However, depending on your dentist’s instructions, you have to visit the clinic every three months or just once a year.

The Best Clinic for Dental Exam and Cleaning in Washington!

Undergoing a dental exam and cleaning sessions for your teeth are helpful in keeping them clean and healthy! Schedule a consultation at Dentistry at Maryville for a pleasant and comfortable experience. Taking care of your teeth has never been this enjoyable!