Dental care is important to a healthy body as well as a healthy mouth. For various reasons, you might find sedation dentistry is a better option to maintain your smile. Safe for those with root canals, dental bridges, and even periodontics, these sessions work much like traditional cleanings. Read on and get to know what you can expect from a cleaning at Brightwork Family Dentistry.
The Initial Check
A dental hygienist or dentist starts a teeth cleaning appointment with an exam. At this time the teeth and gums are checked; they look for cavities and other possible problems like gingivitis. If there is anything out of the ordinary, the dental hygienist will have a dentist take a look. It’s at this part of the exam that diseases are found like diabetes or lupus that might not have been noticed by a family doctor. The patient is asked about medications and any health-related issues they might have as well. For a person with dentures, these appliances are checked for fit and any wear on the device.
X-Rays
X-rays are important to give a complete view of the mouth. There are dental problems that can be highlighted like:
- Bone loss
- Tooth decay
- Tumors
These x-rays can be taken by putting the film inside of the mouth or across the outside of the mouth itself. They are done only once a year and it is low radiation for anyone who would worry about the exam.
The Scaler
Now to the scaler, the hygienist will use it to get rid of tartar and plaque on the teeth and at the gum line. Plaque turns into tartar if it is left on a person’s teeth, so it is important to get rid of it. The longer plaque is on the teeth, the longer it takes to clean it off during the appointment.
Special Toothpaste
A special gritty toothpaste will finish the cleaning; a patient may be able to choose a flavor of their choice. This toothpaste is applied with a special wand that has a cup on the end or an electric toothbrush. It will not only clean but polish the teeth. This is not like the toothpaste for home use and is only available at the dentist’s office.
Flossing
The next step is flossing, it is done much the same as a person does at home. The hygienist goes around the teeth and at the gum line–this gets any plaque and toothpaste that is left from the cleaning. Also, flossing is a good time for the hygienist to talk with their patient about their dental care at home and offer suggestions if needed. Rinsing follows the cleaning and flossing. It will wash out anything left over from the procedures.
Flouride
The final step is a fluoride treatment; not all dentists include this in the teeth cleaning appointment as fluoride is available through the water in many areas. A mouthpiece is used to distribute the treatment. It is filled with a foaming gel and left in the mouth for one minute. Next, the foaming gel is rinsed out using water. There is also a fluoride varnish that is painted on the teeth and does not require rinsing.