A basic teeth cleaning is designed to clean and polish your teeth while also providing a general health screening for your mouth.

As intimidating as that might sound, it’s actually a relatively simple and painless appointment!  At Richview Family Dentistry we are committed to providing you and your family with the best possible dental care.

No matter how diligent you are with your home routine, regular checkups with a dentist and hygienist are important. A professional cleaning rids your teeth of calcified plaque, called calculus or tartar, that can build up in hard-to-reach places. We can also watch teeth for early signs of decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or other dental problems.

Cleaning Your Teeth

During the cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will:

1. Use a scaler (a small metal instrument) to scrape off tartar along the gum line.
2. Next, we will use an ultrasonic vibrating device to shake loose plaque and tartar off, then rinse it away with a stream of water.
3. This is followed by a tooth polishing. We will polish the teeth with a lightly abrasive paste. The now-smooth tooth surfaces make it more difficult for plaque to accumulate before your next cleaning.
4. We will finish up your cleaning with a flossing and fluoride rinse.

Tooth Exam

Once your cleaning is finished, the dentist will give your teeth a thorough exam. We will look for signs of decay, using a metal probe and a small mirror with an angled handle. We will also check for gum swelling and redness. Additionally, we will be on the lookout for evidence of tooth grinding as well as screen for other problems, including signs of oral cancer.  

The majority of dental patients find routine teeth cleanings painless. Most dental cleanings last between 30 minutes to an hour. After a cleaning, you may notice that your teeth feel fresher and look brighter, too!

To schedule your next routine dental cleaning contact us at Richview Family Dentistry. Our office is a state-of-the-art facility that is a warm, welcoming environment where you’ll actually enjoy a visit to the dentist! Discover more about who we are, then call us at (931) 647-2243 to schedule your consultation.

Sources:
Healthline
Delta Dental
Dental One