Professional Dental Teeth Cleaning FAQs

Professional teeth cleaning is a standard part of routine dental appointments. Oral professionals recommend making at least two trips to the dentist each year so your mouth can be examined and your teeth cleaned.

Frequently asked questions about teeth cleaning

Professional teeth cleaning is a preventative dental procedure that typically takes less than an hour to perform. Here are the answers to some of the questions you might have about the procedure:

1. Why is the procedure performed?

Teeth cleanings are done to get rid of plaque and tartar from teeth surfaces. Plaque is the sticky, transparent film that builds up on teeth and leaves your mouth feeling sticky. When left on teeth for prolonged periods, it calcifies into tartar. Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing, but the same cannot be said about tartar – which needs to be carefully scraped off with a scaler.

Tartar and plaque promote tooth decay and gum disease. Tartar tends to do more damage to teeth since it stays on them until a dentist removes it during teeth cleanings.

2. What goes on during the procedure?

Teeth cleanings take about 45 minutes to complete. It involves the dentist scraping tartar and plaque off teeth surfaces, flossing between the patient’s teeth, and polishing teeth to remove any biofilm on them. If the dentist notices the patient’s teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay, a fluoride treatment might be performed to give their teeth additional protection against decay.

3. How often should I get teeth cleaning?

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends getting teeth cleaned at least two times a year. Dentists might recommend additional visits for patients dealing with chronic oral issues like periodontal disease.

4. How do I keep my teeth clean between teeth cleanings?

Dentists advise brushing at least two times per day and flossing daily. Good oral hygiene helps to remove plaque from teeth surfaces and prevents it from hardening into tartar. An anti-tartar mouthwash can help to protect teeth against tartar buildup.

5. What are the benefits of getting teeth cleaned?

Regular teeth cleanings help to keep gums and teeth healthy, protecting against tooth decay and gum disease. It also improves the way teeth look since tartar has a yellowish color that makes teeth appear yellow. Tartar is more prone to staining than teeth surfaces are, so removing tartar deposits typically leads to noticeable improvements in the way a person’s teeth look, particularly if they have heavy tartar build-up on their teeth.

The preventative benefits of teeth cleanings save patients lots of money down the road. Patients are examined during the procedure, allowing the dentist to detect any developing issues. Dental issues are usually cheaper to treat early when they have not yet caused significant damage to teeth. Dental check-ups can also help to detect health issues like oral cancer.

Get your teeth cleaned

Need your next teeth cleaning? Give us a call or visit our Marietta clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://www.mytotaldentistry.com or call McCarthy Dentistry at (740) 546-5178 for an appointment in our Marietta office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Cleaning in Marietta, OH.