Harmony Dental Logo

Phone Available After Hours

An Effective Dental Cleaning Process

BOOK APPOINTMENT

When was the last time you went to the dentist for a cleaning? While it’s recommended to have your teeth checked and cleaned twice a year, many people don’t do it. In fact, many only have their teeth cleaned when they go for a dental procedure.

Dental cleaning is a simple and painless process that only takes a few minutes. If you’re stressed about it, it’s important to know what happens before and during the process. You need to know how to prepare yourself and what to expect.

Here is a guide to your dental cleaning process to get you prepared.

Physical Exam

Dental cleaning is a same-day procedure that starts with a physical or oral examination. They will check your entire mouth, gums, and teeth to rule out any concerns that may complicate the procedure. They’ll ensure you don’t have gingivitis, gum inflammation, or cavities that can make cleaning painful.

If they detect any problems, they may need to address them first or make recommendations before proceeding with the cleaning. For example, your dentist may recommend treatment for cavities before doing a dental cleaning.

Removing Tartar and Plaque

The next step after physical examination is to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. They will use a small mirror to see your mouth clearly and a scaler to remove plaque and tartar stuck in your gun line and between your teeth. 

You might hear some scraping during this procedure. The time it will take to scale depends on how much plaque and tartar you have in your teeth. If you’ve never done a professional cleaning, this might take a lot of time because plaque and tartar may accumulate over time.

Cleaning and Polishing

When your teeth and gums are completely free of plaque and tartar, it’s time to move on to the actual cleaning. They will use an electric-powered brush, which will produce a grinding noise when brushing your teeth. While the noise may be annoying, the brushing is painless.

They will also use toothpaste with the same flavor and taste as your normal one at home. It’s known as a prophylaxis paste and has a grainy texture to enable it to scrape and polish your teeth.

The cleaning and polishing step takes the most time. You may have to deal with annoying noises and slight discomfort, but no pain.

Professional Flossing and Rinsing

Now is the time to remove all the debris from your teeth that came out during the brushing, cleaning, and polishing process. They will floss your teeth to remove all the leftover residue from plaque and tartar. They may also suggest some flossing techniques that might help you when you go back home.

After flossing, they’ll professionally rinse your teeth to remove all the tartar residue. They spray water into your mouth at high pressure to rinse away all the residue. They might also give you fluoride liquid to rinse your mouth with.

Fluoride Treatment

Lastly, you’ll get a fluoride treatment to protect your teeth from cavities. They will put a foamy gel or sticky paste into a mouthpiece that fits best in your mouth. They’ll leave it there for about a minute. They’ll then paint fluoride varnish on your teeth using a small brush. This will harden when it comes into contact with your saliva.

You can comfortably eat and drink after a cleaning process. You’ll also be able to go about your daily routine normally. Your dentist may encourage you to have another cleaning after six months.

Take Care of Your Oral Health Through Dental Cleaning

Dental cleaning is an essential procedure that maintains your oral hygiene and keeps you healthy. Normal brushing and flossing may not be enough to get rid of plaque and tartar stuck on your gum line and between your teeth. The good news is that this is a simple procedure that only takes a few minutes.

Regular cleaning appointments for both adults and children can help keep your teeth healthy and prevent cavities. If you live in Santa Clarita, Harmony Dental is here to ensure you maintain good oral hygiene by offering dental cleaning services. You can book an appointment with our dentist today and get more information about the process.

Call to Schedule

Our office is available to answer your questions and evaluate your symptoms.

The Truth About Dental Implants

Back to BlogsMissing teeth? Don't dream of a complete, confident smile again – make it a reality! Dental implants have emerged as a revolutionary solution, promising a near-permanent, natural-looking replacement for lost teeth. But with so much information circulating...

Skip to content