Teeth Cleaning

What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning

Teeth cleaning is an oral hygiene application completed by a dental hygienist to remove plaque and calculus from teeth in an effort to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease.

While regular brushing and flossing contributes to oral health, professional teeth cleaning removes plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach places, such as below the gum line, that may not be accessible by routine cleaning.

At Bearspaw Dental Clinic, we provide teeth cleaning services to keep your gums healthy and smile glowing.

Teeth Cleaning Process

The first step is a physical examination of the mouth, where a dental hygienist will use a small mirror to inspect your teeth and gums.

Next, a scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar around your gum line and in between teeth. You can expect to hear scraping, which is a normal part of the process. An ultrasonic scaler, which uses water and ultrasonic vibration, may be used.

Once your teeth are free of plaque and tartar buildup, you will receive a polish with an electric polisher and gritty polish paste, as the dental hygienist must clean each tooth individually.

The next step involves flossing by your dental hygienist to locate trouble spots between your teeth and remove leftover plaque and polish paste from earlier dental cleaning activities.

Then you will be asked to rinse your mouth to remove debris, as well as complete fluoride treatment by swishing liquid fluoride for one minute to promote healthy tooth enamel and combat harmful bacteria. Sometimes, instead of a fluoride rinse, a fluoride varnish may be painted on your teeth with a small brush to help prevent cavities for several months.

Risks & Complications

There are minimal risks and complications involved in teeth cleaning. You may experience sensitive teeth and swollen gums after a professional cleaning. This sensitivity may be for a few days, up to a few weeks depending on the level of buildup on your teeth.  In rare cases, teeth could loosen or sustain damage.

Teeth cleaning is recommended every six months to ensure healthy teeth and gums. Contact us today for more information and to book your appointment.