Even after visiting the dentist at a dental clinic in La Crête twice a year for many years, you might still be wondering what
exactly happens when you’re sitting in the dentist's chair. You know that a
dental hygienist cleans your teeth while the dentist checks for cavities and
gum disease, but do you know all the steps in the process? Knowing the steps involved
in this process will help prepare you for your upcoming dentist appointment. If
you are someone who dreads the thought of visiting the dentist, understanding
the steps to a teeth cleaning could help in calming your nerves.
Not a lot of people look forward to visits to the dentist, but
they know that these visits are essential for preventing serious oral problems.
Biannual visits to the dentist can help in reducing the development of gum
disease, removal of plaque and tartar build-up, and prevent cavities from
getting worse. The following steps are what you can expect when you go for your
next teeth cleaning in La Crête:
Initial Inspection
Biannual teeth cleaning near you will begin with your
dentist or dental hygienist examining your teeth and gums. They will use a
mirror to help them see every area of your mouth while checking for signs of
trouble such as dark spots on the teeth and inflamed gums. If a dental
hygienist is performing this step, they will likely call in your dentist if
they notice anything of concern or that is unusual. Before starting the
cleaning, they will ask if you have any concerns about your teeth or gums.
X-Rays
Your dentist in La Crête will take X-rays of your teeth
and mouth as they will alert them of any oral issues. These oral issues could
include:
- Tooth decay
- Oral abnormalities
- Bone loss
- Gum disease
- Movement of teeth
- Tumors and cysts
X-rays are especially important if you are a new patient because
they will allow your new dentist to be able to quickly assess your teeth and
gums before they move forward.
Removing Plaque and Tartar
Your dental hygienist will use a scaler to remove plaque and
tartar from your gum line and in between your teeth. Plaque is the bacteria
that forms in your mouth and builds up around your teeth and can lead to gum
disease and cavities, and if it is not removed it will end up turning into
tartar. You can remove plaque by brushing and flossing your teeth properly, but
plaque that has turned into tartar can only be removed by a dental
professional.
You might hear scraping sounds during this step of the cleaning
process, which is completely normal. How long it will take to remove tartar
from your teeth depends on how much tartar has built up on your teeth. If you
have gingivitis you will likely experience your gums bleeding after the tartar
removal along with some soreness in your mouth for a bit.
Power Polishing
Once the plaque and tartar have been removed, it’s time for your
dental hygienist to remove any stains on your teeth. To do this, a unique
toothbrush is used with a special toothpaste. Your dental hygienist will likely
ask you what flavor of toothpaste you would like for the polishing. The dental
hygienist will apply the gritty toothpaste to the power toothbrush so they can
thoroughly clean your teeth. Your teeth will be smooth and shiny after the
power polishing from the combination of the gritty toothpaste and toothbrush.
Flossing
Your dental hygienist will floss your teeth next to remove any
plaque from between your teeth. They will ask you what your current flossing
routine is and recommend certain techniques based on your answer. If they have
noticed any areas of concern they will point them out to you.
Fluoride
A fluoride treatment will likely be done to help protect your
teeth from cavities until your next visit to the dentist. For the fluoride
treatment, your dental hygienist may use a mouthpiece filled with fluoride and
this mouthpiece will remain in your mouth for about a minute before you will
rinse the excess fluoride with water.
Final Inspection
After
your teeth have been cleaned your dentist will do a final inspection. During
this inspection, they will check for grinding issues, examine the alignment of
your teeth, and evaluate for gum disease. They will view your X-rays and talk
to you about any concerns they may have for you. Your dentist may check your
gums by checking the depth of your gingival pockets. They will also evaluate
any dental restorations if you have any and finish the inspection by checking
for oral cancer. If you have any concerns or questions, this is the best time
to bring them up to your dentist.
Comments
Post a Comment