What to Expect During Your Dental Cleaning Appointment

If there is one thing that people tend to put off for the future, it is their dental cleaning appointment. It can be easy to say that you will set up a visit next week and then next month, and soon, a whole year has passed. For many, the hesitance about going to the dentist stems from not knowing what to expect and feeling unprepared.

While every dentist approaches patient care in their own unique way, the unifying factor across most offices is how they perform dental cleanings. Here is a simple overview of what you can expect the next time that you go in for an appointment.

Understanding dental cleaning appointments

Dental cleanings should always be personalized to the patient who is receiving them. That said, they all tend to follow the same basic structure.

Scaling

When a person brushes their teeth, the bristles cannot remove every bacterium on the surface, especially at the gumline. Over time, bacterial build-up that is not removed by brushing and flossing hardens into plaque and tartar, which cannot be eliminated at home.

Instead, the dentist will use a metal tool called a scaler to pick away at the hardened deposits so they do not harm teeth. Dental cleaning appointments often start with scaling so the entire surface of the tooth can be treated throughout the visit (instead of only treating what is not covered by tartar).

Polishing

Once the full tooth surface is cleaned and available, the dentist will use a polisher tool to thoroughly brush the teeth. The head of the polisher rotates like an electric toothbrush, scraping away the bacteria so the tooth surface becomes smooth and glossy.

Patients can usually pick the flavor of the toothpaste used during this step. In addition to making the smile shine, polishing makes it more difficult for bacteria to cling to the teeth, reducing the incidence of cavities.

Flossing

After the teeth surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned, the dental cleaning moves on to flossing. The dentist will floss thoroughly between the teeth, checking that they are clean, even in the gaps.

Many dentists include pocket checks in the flossing stage. They note how deep into the gumline the floss can penetrate. Deep pockets can indicate inflammation associated with gum disease.

Oral examination

Once the mouth is thoroughly cleaned, the dentist performs an oral exam. They feel the cheeks, gums, and tongue and use a light to visualize the roof of the mouth. Any sores, redness, patchiness, or lumps will be noted at this time, as the dentist checks for cancer or other potential problems.

Fluoride treatment

Many dentists recommend that their patients finish their dental cleaning appointments with fluoride treatment. This step is simple: The dentist paints a thin film onto the teeth, and patients must sit for a minute or two without swallowing. Then, they can rinse the fluoride away and enjoy stronger teeth!