How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
It’s unfortunate that so many people have a phobia about visiting the dentist even when it just involves a dental cleaning. Professional cleaning of your teeth is simple, painless and is beneficial to your oral health in so many different ways.
Why Get Your Teeth Cleaned?
Every day each of us have millions of bacteria in our mouths. If allowed to remain these bacteria will form a clear sticky substance called plaque literally within hours. If the plaque is not removed the acids in the plaque attack the hard enamel surface of the tooth resulting in a damaging cavity. If allowed to develop down the tooth to the gumline and come in contact with the soft tissue it will immediately result in an infection in the gums.
The health industries strongly suggest we brush our teeth twice a day and floss at least once to keep up with this plaque. We can reach all the tough places in our mouths and depending on the food consumed and the actual quality of brushing plaque will still form. This is where the professional teeth cleaning enters the game.
What goes into a Dental Cleaning Procedure?
Twice a year we should schedule a dental examination. What is usually done at these exams is a thorough checkup for any oral cancer as well as diagnosing all soft tissue such as cheeks, tongue and palette. X-rays will capture what is going on with the health of your teeth below the gumline. After this the dental cleaning will begin.
At first the examination includes the close reviewing of the health of the gums and also to check for the development of any cavities. Then the dental hygienist will begin the process of removing any buildup plaque or tartar with a hand-held scaling instrument or using an ultrasonic device. The amount of plaque on your teeth will dictate the length of time you will be reclined in the dental chair. The average length of dental cleaning only takes between 30 minutes to one hour, so it is certainly worth the effort.
Some offices may then introduce a gritty toothpaste with an electric toothbrush to gently scrub your teeth. This is a safe procedure twice a year but not to be done at home for fear of wearing down the enamel. The hygienist will next floss your teeth. Even though you may do it at home it is still very beneficial to have the professional do it to remove any remaining plaque.
After the teeth are rinsed some offices may introduce a fluoride treatment. This helps you fight against cavities for several months.
The Benefits of having Your Teeth Cleaned
After you are finished your teeth will actually look whiter and feel fresh and smooth. With the removal of plaque your breath will improve as well. Even though this is a wonderful short term benefit the real objective is to maintain good tooth health as well as to prevent periodontal disease. It is so much easier to practice good habits at home, see your dentist twice a year and be proactive versus reactive.
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