What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleanings are a critical element in any overarching oral health maintenance plan. Knowing what happens during a dental cleaning can help relieve some anxiety beforehand, so you do not have to worry about the unknown.

The process of a dental cleaning

Outlined below is a step-by-step guide to getting a dental cleaning. Reviewing this information ahead of time can help relieve any anxiety that you may be feeling.

Clean the teeth

The main part of a dental cleaning is when the teeth are polished to get rid of plaque and tartar. This part of the process gets the teeth into optimal condition, which is crucial for maintaining good oral health.

During this part of the dental cleaning, the patient might experience some anxiety because of the sounds and quickness of the dental tools; however, it is important to know that there will not be any pain and ultimately, the teeth and gums will be in better shape afterward.

Floss

Another important part of a dental cleaning is having the teeth flossed. Many people skip flossing at home during their oral hygiene routine, which is quite harmful to the teeth and gums. Flossing gets rid of debris or build-up between the teeth that might become harmful later on. Because of this, it is crucial for the hygienist to floss the patient's teeth during the dental cleaning.

Rinsing the oral cavity

Once the teeth have been thoroughly cleaned and flossed, the patient should expect to have their entire oral cavity rinsed out. The hygienist will use a special tool that produces a water stream to rinse out all areas of the mouth. This gets rid of debris or products used for cleaning. Suction is then used via another tool to get rid of the rinsed water.

Fluoride treatment

One of the last and most important parts of getting a dental cleaning is the fluoride treatment. This is a part of the process that helps mineralize the teeth so that they can fight off infection and bacteria better. Fluoride treatment is quick and seamless as it only requires the patient to sit still for a few minutes.

The dental hygienist will apply a fluoride solution directly on the teeth or place it in a tray for the teeth to sit in. This only takes a few minutes and does not induce any pain or discomfort. The fluoride will soak into the enamel and create a mineralized layer to help protect the teeth from anything harmful. After the time is up, the patient will be asked to spit any excess fluoride solution out until the oral cavity is clear. It is advised not to eat or drink for up to an hour after fluoride treatment has been applied. This ensures that it does its job.