HOW LONG DO DENTAL CLEANINGS TAKE?

Professional mobile dental cleanings are recommended every 6 months to prevent cavities, gum disease, and tooth. For many, regardless of these recommendations, the idea of a routine dental visit is anxiety producing and involves a great deal of unknows. If you are one of these individuals, the sooner you prepare yourself for your next dental visit, the sooner you will realize that routine visits are fairly straight forward. In general, a routine visit to the dentist includes a comprehensive oral exam, an evaluation of oral hygiene habits, and a regular dental cleaning. Below is more detailed information on professional dental cleanings to help you prepare for your next visit to the dentist.

The Steps of a Regular Dental Cleaning

After completing your oral exam your dentist will decide if a regular dental cleaning should be performed or if a more thorough deep cleaning is necessary. Your dentist will base this decision on how much plaque has developed along the gumline and if your dentist sees any signs of gum disease. A regular dental cleaning is a fairly simple process and involves the following steps:

  1. The professional dental hygienist will start by scaling your teeth. Scaling is the process of removing debris, calculus, and plaque from the gum line and between your teeth. This step is either performed using an ultrasonic scaler or a manual hand scaler which is a thin tipped metal tool. The handheld ultrasonic scaler device uses low frequency vibrations and air pressure to remove plaque build-up. This scaling process is the part of the cleaning that may involve a little discomfort and sensitivity, however most patients do not find this step painful. If your cleaning is a bit longer and you start to feel uncomfortable, you should inform your dental professional and they will give you a break and make sure you are comfortable.
  2. The next step is polishing the teeth. A polishing paste and an automatic handheld device is used to polish each tooth individually. The device buffs the teeth and makes them bright and shiny.
  3. The last step is to floss the teeth. You will be surprised by how quick and efficient the dental professional is at flossing your teeth. The dental professional may be able to give you recommendations or suggestions about how to improve your flossing technique at home.

The Dental Cleanings Process

On average a professional dental cleaning will take between 30 minutes and an hour. The duration of the process is really based on the health of the teeth and the amount of build up that needs to be removed. The entire routine appointment usually takes an hour to 90 minutes. For many, the process is painless, and patients leave feeling satisfied with their healthy and bright smile. During the cleaning you will lay inclined in the dental chair. There is no rush with the appointment. It is important that if you become uncomfortable throughout the process that you let your dentist know and they will take breaks to make sure you are comfortable.

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