Regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential to maintaining your oral health.
Prior to starting your teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist will start with a physical exam of your entire mouth to check for signs of gum disease, teeth recession or wear, or any other concerns.
The dental hygienist will then begin to remove plaque from your teeth with a scaler. Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins that inflame the gums, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease if not regularly cleaned. The dental hygienist will also your teeth to remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
After rinsing your mouth, the dental hygienist will floss your teeth. Even if you do this regularly at home, there’s no comparison between your daily flossing and a professional version. The flossing also helps to remove any remaining plaque or polishing paste left over from the cleaning process.
Of course, this entire process only applies during a regular dental cleaning that requires no additional treatments. If either the dentist or the hygienist discovers any potential issues in your mouth, they may halt the cleaning until you've had these attended to.
If you have any further questions about our dental cleaning process, or is overdue for a cleaning, visit our SmileSolvers dental office at St. Clair and Dufferin today!