Routine dental cleanings are a key component of preventative dental care, helping promote oral health by maintaining good oral hygiene.
A dental cleaning can take approximately 60 minutes. Ultimately, the length of the visit will depend on factors like:
- Oral health status
- Your last dental cleaning
- Specific areas of concern
Knowing what to expect during your dental cleaning can help ease any hesitation about your visit. Our 7-step breakdown outlines what generally happens during routine dental cleaning.
What Is a Dental Cleaning?
A dental cleaning is a routine procedure performed by your dental team to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from the surfaces of your teeth.
Daily brushing and flossing are great ways to maintain good oral care, but dental cleanings help remove debris that can’t be done at home.
By removing plaque and tartar, which are breeding grounds for bacteria, cleanings reduce the risk of developing serious dental problems such as gum disease or tooth decay.
Regardless of age or health status, everyone benefits from professional dental cleaning.
The Canadian Dental Association encourages visiting your dentist for routine dental exams and cleanings every 6 months to detect areas of concern early and allow for timely intervention and treatment.
A cleaning focuses on professionally cleaning your teeth, whereas a dental exam involves a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health and is performed by your dentist.
How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
Generally, a dental cleaning alone takes about 60 minutes.
This time frame allows your dental hygienist to gently and thoroughly remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains from your teeth. However, the total time will depend on factors like your oral health status, how long it’s been since your last cleaning, and whether any specific areas of your teeth require extra attention.
If your cleaning is performed alongside a dental exam, your dentist will inspect your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of oral health concerns.
Combining your cleaning with an exam targets two birds with one stone and helps support and maintain good oral health.
What to Expect at Your Dental Cleaning
Dental cleaning is a relatively gentle and non-invasive routine procedure.
Remember to communicate concerns or sensitivities to your dental hygienist before your cleaning. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the process or specific recommendations for maintaining good oral care at home.
Step 1: The Initial Examination
Your dental hygienist will begin your cleaning by assessing your oral health. This involves visually checking your teeth and gums for any signs of inflammation, cavities, or other potential concerns.
If they notice anything unusual, your hygienist will consult with your dentist before proceeding with your cleaning.
Step 2: Removing Plaque & Tartar
Using a small mirror for guidance, your hygienist will begin by scaling your teeth using a specialized tool to remove tartar and plaque buildup around your gum line and between your teeth.
It’s normal to experience some minor discomfort during this step.
Step 3: Deep Cleaning
After scaling, your hygienist will use a high-powered electric toothbrush and a gritty toothpaste to deep clean your teeth.
This step serves to polish your teeth and remove any remaining plaque or minor surface stains caused by food and drink. This helps enhance the natural brightness of teeth and also makes their surface more resistant to future plaque buildup.
Step 4: Professional Flossing
Dental hygienists will thoroughly floss to ensure that no residue from the earlier cleaning steps is left between your teeth. This is a great opportunity to discuss flossing techniques and ask any questions you may have about home dental care.
Brushing twice a day is always recommended, but flossing helps prevent bad breath and removes food particles and plaque between teeth and along the gumline that the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach.
Step 5: Rinsing
Your hygienist will provide a rinse to clear debris and disinfect your mouth for a fresh, clean feel.
Plaque and tartar buildup are broken up during a cleaning. This rinse helps flush these particles away, preventing them from redepositing on teeth and gums.
Typically, the rinse contains a liquid fluoride solution or an antiseptic mouthwash to help strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the presence of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Step 6: Fluoride Treatment
To conclude the cleaning portion of this visit, a fluoride treatment is often applied to strengthen tooth enamel and protect against decay.
Fluoride treatments are applied as a gel, foam, or varnish, and are painted on or placed in a tray that fits over your teeth for a short period.
This delivers a concentrated dose of fluoride directly to the teeth, providing additional protection beyond what is achieved through fluoride toothpaste or mouth rinses at home.
This short but powerful step helps protect your teeth against cavities for several months.
Step 7: Final Inspection
Lastly, your hygienist or dentist will perform a final oral check to make sure everything looks good.
This may include discussing any findings from the cleaning or addressing any noticed oral health issues. During this time, your dental team will offer advice and tips for maintaining oral health at home.
Schedule an Appointment
Regular dental cleanings and exams play an important role in maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile. Knowing what to expect during your cleaning can help you approach this appointment with comfort and confidence.
Connect with our team at Country Hills Dental Centre to schedule an appointment for your routine visit.
