Dental Cleaning

A teeth cleaning involves removing built-up plaque and other oral detritus, improving the overall health and cleanliness of the oral cavity. While the exact specifics of the procedure can vary from one practice to the next, they typically follow a general guideline that looks something like this:

A Physical Exam  — Most teeth cleanings are performed by a dental hygienist, and before starting the actual cleaning process, they typically conduct a physical exam of the entire oral cavity, including the teeth, gums, and mouth. Part of this cleaning process involves using a small mirror to check around the patient’s teeth and gums for any signs of gingivitis (gum inflammation) or other potential concerns.

Removing Plaque and Tartar  — Using the small mirror for guidance, the dental hygienist uses a scaler, which is an abrasive tool used to scrape off excess plaque and tartar around the gumline and in between the teeth.

Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning  — After cleaning the patient’s teeth of plaque and tartar, the hygienist will then brush the patient’s teeth with a high-powered electric toothbrush. This is a highly efficacious way to remove leftover tartar from the scaler.

Expert Flossing  — While it is important to floss regularly at home, dentists are highly trained at removing the hardest-to-reach plaque and tartar built up between the teeth.

Rinsing  — The final stage of dental cleaning is a thorough rinsing of the mouth to remove any residual debris.