Before a dental visit, people get nervous, and that is pretty common. To make things easier for you, today, we’ll explain a very common question: what is a dental cleaning procedure? When you know the steps of the procedure, your whole experience can be comfortable and stress-free.
However, if you’re ever curious but not ready for a full cleaning, you can always start with one of our free dental checkups.
What Is a Dental Cleaning?
It is like a deep cleaning of your teeth, which can’t be done at home without any professional supervision. You can’t do this procedure at home, but by choosing a registered dental hygienist, the whole experience will become smooth for you.
They use special tools to gently remove sticky plaque and hard tartar. You can’t do this at home, as your toothbrush will miss these steps.
This oral hygiene procedure is one of the best ways to prevent cavities, and it’s a service covered by the Canada Dental Care Program (CDCP).
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning: The Step-by-Step Process
Now, let’s get to the main part of the procedure:
Step 1: The Initial Check-Up
First, your dental hygienist will take a gentle look inside your mouth. They will check the health of your teeth and gums. This will help them find out if there are any spots that need a little extra attention during the cleaning.
Step 2: Removing Plaque and Tartar (Scaling)
This is the most important part of cleaning your teeth. Your hygienist will use a small tool called a scaler to carefully scrape off plaque and tartar. Plaque that has hardened into tartar can only be removed with professional tools.
Step 3: Cleaning with Gritty Toothpaste
Once the tartar is gone, you can polish your teeth. Your hygienist will use a special electric brush that is very powerful and gritty toothpaste. It feels a little like a tickle, but it does a great job of getting rid of stains on the surface and cleaning your teeth deeply.
Step 4: Flossing Like a Pro
Next, your hygienist will carefully floss between each of your teeth. This gets rid of any plaque or leftover toothpaste from places that are hard to get to. They can also give you some advice on how to floss better at home.
Step 5: Rinse and Get Fluoride Treatment
Finally, you’ll rinse your mouth to get rid of any leftover food. A fluoride treatment is often the last step. Your hygienist will put a gel or varnish on your teeth to keep them safe from cavities until your next appointment.
How Long is a Dental Cleaning Procedure?
A routine dental hygiene cleaning is usually pretty quick. It typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.
The exact time can change depending on how much plaque and tartar you have. If you want to learn more, we have a whole blog post that explains how long teeth cleaning takes.
Is the Process Different for Kids and Adults?
The cleaning process is very similar for everyone, but we make a few small changes depending on your age.
- The dental cleaning procedure for adults focuses on keeping teeth and gums healthy in the long run. We make sure to check for any early signs of gum disease.
- The dental cleaning procedure for kids is all about being gentle and making them feel safe.
We explain every step in a fun way, and may also suggest extra protection like dental sealants to keep their new teeth cavity-free.
Why a Professional Dental Cleaning is So Important
A big part of staying healthy is getting a professional cleaning, which is why we’ve tried to explain what is a dental cleaning procedure. Your toothbrush and floss at home are great, but they can’t get to every little spot.
The best way to stop problems before they start is to get regular cleanings. If you have any questions about this service, our friendly team is always here to help.
Author Bio: Written by Hwan Hee Kim, RDH
Hwan is the founder of Aviator Dental Hygiene and a Registered Dental Hygienist. She started the clinic with a simple idea: dental visits should be calm and comfortable, not scary. Through her blog posts, Hwan hopes to answer your questions in a simple way.
