Your Quick Guide to Professional Teeth Cleaning in Jefferson Park
Teeth cleaning is a fairly routine procedure that you can get at the dentist, but if this is your first time you may not know what to expect. In this short guide, we will examine why the procedure is necessary, and the details of the cleaning procedure itself.
Is professional teeth cleaning necessary?
According to the ADA, it is recommended that everyone visit the dentist for teeth cleaning at least twice a year. The reason for this is that tartar and plaque build up over time, causing inflammation and gum disease. During a professional teeth cleaning procedure, your dentist will remove this build-up, and also perform teeth polishing which removes surface stains and improves your teeth’s natural resistance to plaque.
Tartar is especially important to remove because it is perceived by the body as a foreign substance, which can trigger an immune response in the gums. This can lead to inflammation and bleeding, and over time these immune responses can become severe. This can lead to tissue and even bone damage in some of the more extreme cases. The immune response can also lose its effectiveness if it is activated chronically, thus weakening the body’s resistance to other more dangerous problems.
The teeth cleaning process with a Jefferson Park Dentist
The cleaning process itself can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the condition of your teeth. It all starts with an examination, where a dental professional will use a small mirror to look for signs of inflammation, tartar, plaque and other oral health concerns. If any serious issues are uncovered at this point, the cleaning may not take place and a different procedure will be recommended.
The second step involves the removal of the plaque and tartar. For this, a tool known as a scaler is used. You should not feel any pain during this process, but it may be mildly uncomfortable. The scaler is used to scrape away the tartar and plaque that has formed at the base of your teeth, behind the gum line. The duration will depend on the amount of built up tartar and plaque on your teeth.
This is followed by a deep cleaning using an electric toothbrush, which may make a soft scrubbing noise against your teeth. The dentist will also use a special toothpaste that will feel more gritty than usual. This is because it contains particles designed to scrub your teeth. The dental professional will also floss your teeth, removing any plaque, toothpaste, and other materials that may be stuck between your teeth. Finally, you will rinse your mouth with water in order to prepare for a fluoride treatment.
This is typically an optional step—the dentist will place a gel-covered mouthpiece over your teeth for a minute or two in order to provide a layer of fluoride that will protect you from cavities for the upcoming months. You will be able to choose the flavor of the gel, and some dentists may brush your teeth with a special paste instead of using a mouth piece.
During a teeth cleaning appointment, your dentist might also polish your teeth in order to remove surface stains, evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene, and check your bite and jaw for problems. In most cases, they will also evaluate your risk for various oral diseases like tooth decay, evaluate your existing tooth restorations, and take dental x-rays if necessary.
That’s an overview of the teeth cleaning process. It’s important to remember that the more often you perform teeth cleanings in Jefferson Park, the less and less time they will take, and the more powerful the benefits to your overall oral health will be.
Smile Innovations is the premier dental office in the Jefferson Park area and Dr. Ziols is currently welcoming new patients. If you are ready to schedule an appointment for a professional teeth cleaning in Jefferson Park, Chicago, contact us today!