Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

About Getting Your Teeth Cleaned By A Dentist

11 March 2016 by Charlotte Beck

Brushing your teeth on a daily basis is a good habit to get into, but you must also get your teeth cleaned by a dentist every now and then. A thorough cleaning with dental tools is the best way to get rid of plaque that a toothbrush is unable to reach. If you simply allow plaque to accumulate in the areas that are hard to reach, you might end up with periodontal disease. This article will explain what you should expect when you get your teeth cleaned at a dental clinic.

Your Mouth Will Be Thoroughly Examined

The first thing that will happen when you go to a clinic for a cleaning is an examination of your teeth and gums. The dentist will look for signs of periodontal disease and determine the extent of cleaning that is needed. If you have any cavities, you might also receive an x-ray. He or she will also make sure that you don't have any underlying conditions that should be treated along with getting your teeth cleaned. For instance, the x-ray might reveal that you have weak jawbones, which is a sign of periodontitis. Your teeth will simply be cleaned if no other conditions are found.

Scaling Will Be Done to Remove Calculus

When plaque accumulates for a long time, it turns into a hard substance that is called calculus. The bad thing about calculus is that it is not only unappealing, but it is full of bacteria. Being that calculus is so hard, it must be scaled away by a dentist. He or she will use an ultrasonic dental tool to loosen the calculus up. Basically, an ultrasonic tool has a rounded tip that rotates on top of calculus, while also releasing a mist of water to get rid of what breaks loose. You will not experience pain during the scaling procedure.

Root Planing Might Be Necessary

If there are any ridges in the enamel near the root of your teeth, calculus might be trapped inside them. Root planing is a procedure that can be done after calculus is removed as a way to smooth out ridges in the enamel of your teeth. Smoothing the ridges out will prevent calculus from getting trapped and exposing your gums to bacteria. Root planing can help with the prevention of periodontal disease. You can expect fluoride to be placed on your teeth before your dental appointment is over, as it protect against plaque accumulating.

For more information, contact offices like Preferred Family Dental.

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