What to Expect at Your Teeth Cleaning Appointment
You no doubt hear all the time that you’re supposed to visit the dentist every six months to have your teeth cleaned. But you might wonder: Is that really necessary if I brush and floss regularly?
The answer, of course, is yes. Regular dental checkups are necessary for a couple of reasons. One, your dentist has professional tools that clean your teeth more effectively than your toothbrush. Also, regular visits enable your dentist to catch problems while they’re small.
Here’s a look at what you can expect when you visit Silicon Valley Dental Associates in Sunnyvale, California, every six months for your teeth cleaning.
Why should you have your teeth cleaned?
Even if you’re religious about brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day, you still may be removing only some of the bad bacteria from your mouth.
At professional cleanings, your dental hygienist has access to professional-grade tools that do an excellent job of removing built-up plaque and tartar from your teeth, while also removing bacteria from even those hard-to-reach corners of your mouth.
This kind of thorough cleaning not only lowers your risk for cavities and gum disease, but the visit gives your dentist a chance to examine your mouth for signs of anything abnormal or unusual.
If it’s only been six months since your last appointment, any problem they find is likely to be small, less complicated, and less expensive to correct. If you haven’t been to the dentist in three years and they find an issue, it’s likely to be more difficult, complicated, and expensive to fix.
What happens during a teeth cleaning?
During your cleaning, the hygienist uses a dental scaler to remove the plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. They also floss between your teeth and polish them with a gritty paste and an electric toothbrush.
The dentist then inspects your mouth for any issues and gives you any information you need.
Depending on the visit, you may also need to undergo a series of digital X-rays to look for any problems not visible to the naked eye. The dentist may also use an intraoral camera to get an up-close look of the inside of your mouth.
If you have a particularly difficult case of plaque or tartar, ultrasonic scaling may be necessary to break the bacteria loose. Ultrasonic scaling can also remove difficult stains.
When you’re ready to schedule your next cleaning, give us a call at Silicon Valley Dental Associates. We can help make your smile whiter and brighter!