While cleanings are very straightforward they are an important part of maintaining dental hygiene. Here are the steps involved in a cleaning:

Physical Exam

Every cleaning starts with a full physical examination of your mouth. Utilizing a small mirror, your dental hygienist will check your teeth and gums for signs of gingivitis or other potential concerns. If any major problems are detected, the dental hygienist may call the dentist to investigate before proceeding.

Remove Plaque and Tartar

Using the the small mirror to guide them, the dental hygienist uses a scaler to get rid of plaque and tartar around your gum line. You will hear scraping, but this is normal. The more tartar there is, the more time your dental hygienist will need to scrape a particular spot.

Brushing and flossing prevents plaque from building up and hardening to tartar.

Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning

After your teeth are completely tartar-free, the hygienist brushes the with a high-powered electric brush. It is common to be concerned by noise of the brush, but it is a guaranteed way to remove any remaining tartar.

This procedure is safe for your teeth twice each year, but only if performed by a professional. Refrain from roughly cleaning your teeth at home as it may cause lasting damage.

Expert Flossing

With the tartar removed your dental hygienist will begin flossing your teeth to remove any remaining tartar from the previous steps. This step usually accompanied, or followed by, rinsing with diluted fluoride.

Fluoride Treatment

The final step of the cleaning process is a full fluoride treatment. This is used to provide a protectant for your teeth to help fight against cavities for several months. Your dental hygienist may offer a variety of flavors, then place the foamy gel into a mouthpiece that fits over your teeth. It is usually left on your teeth for one minute to ensure full coverage.