What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning Session?

The food we eat can attract a load of naturally occurring bacteria settling on the surface of our teeth. Amazingly, these bacteria share the same food as humans, and the more you ignore regular brushing, flossing, or teeth cleaning, the more nourishment the bacteria receive to continue thriving. It is thus important that you remain at the top of your dental hygiene and prevent the overgrowth of bacteria that could lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gum diseases.
According to the American Dental Association, it is important for you to visit your local dental hygienist after every six months for a regular dental exam and teeth cleaning. With the wide-ranging teeth cleaning Austin treatments, you will effectively ward off bad breath, cavities, and bacterial infections that could advance to a more serious condition. After scheduling your teeth cleaning session, here is what to expect;
A Dental Examination
Before your dentist starts off with the teeth prodding, your dental hygienist will conduct a physical exam of your entire mouth. Using a small mirror, the hygienist checks around the gums and teeth for signs of inflamed gum, plaque, and tartar. After the assessment, your dentist is required to carry on with the teeth cleaning treatments to rectify the identified issues.
Plaque and Tartar Removal
With the small mirror acting as the guide, your dentist will use a scaler to take out the tartar and plaque that has formed along the gum line and between the teeth. Scaling can be done manually or through power-driven scalers, depending on the amount of tartar and plaque that has accumulated.
Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning
Next, your dentist goes in with a high-powered toothbrush to deep clean and gets rid of any tartar or plaque residues. They then use a gritty paste to scrub around the teeth’ surface. Due to the abrasive nature of the paste, your dentist uses gentle scrubbing motions to avoid wearing down your enamel. Moreover, the paste may get stuck between the teeth, so flossing is a must after using the paste.
Flossing
An expertly done flossing reaches for spots that might be difficult to access with regular home flossing. Moreover, the flossing will help remove the stuck gritty toothpaste and any residues of plaque and tartar.
Rinsing and Fluoride treatment
Your dental hygienist will hand you a liquid fluoride rinse to rid your mouth of any debris from the cleaning process. Next, and last is the application of a fluoride treatment, available as a foamy gel. The gel is left on your teeth for a minute, after which a fluoride varnish is brushed onto the teeth and hardens immediately it gets into contact with the saliva. So it is possible to eat or drink immediately. The fluoride treatment helps keep your teeth strong and protects them from cavities until your next dental visit.
When is your Next Teeth Cleaning Treatment?
Your oral health is as important as your general health. Depending on what your dentist observes from the dental exam, you might be required to make another visit as soon as possible. To stay at the top of the game, you need to be consistent in your teeth cleaning visits to avoid more dental problems.