Dental cleanings are routine procedures. They aren’t usually performed by a dentist though. Instead, they’re usually performed by an oral hygienist. You should have your teeth cleaned at least twice a year, but sometimes more. The frequency will depend on whether you’re a smoker and your particular eating habits.
You shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that brushing and flossing your teeth regularly will get the job done. There are areas that you can’t get to easily and tartar can start to build up. Regular cleanings will help prevent this from happening.
If you haven’t gone to a dentist in a long time, then you may need a deep cleaning instead of a regular one. Tartar may have built up below your gumline. The deep cleaning will remove tartar that not only resides on the surface, but all the way down to the root.
Dental cleanings typically don’t require any anesthetic. However, people who have very sensitive teeth may find the procedure uncomfortable. If you request it, you may be given nitrous oxide to help calm your nerves.
The procedure shouldn’t take very long. The typical time is around 15 to 30 minutes. However, if there is a lot of tartar present because of irregular visits, it can take longer. You may also experience more pain due to the fact that it will take more pressure to scrape the tartar buildup off.
Dental cleanings require the use of various tools. One of the main tool is the scaler. It looks like a metal hook, and is used to scrape tartar buildup off your teeth. Some patients find the use of this tool a bit uncomfortable.
Another tool that is commonly used is the tooth polisher. As its name suggests, it’s used to polish and buff teeth. It’s typically used first since it helps get rid of smaller pieces of plaque. Polishers come in various sizes so they can get into all areas of the mouth.
The piece of equipment that you’ll probably be glad to see is the rinsing device. It shoots water into your mouth so you can rinse out the tartar that was removed from your teeth. Instead of using plain water, mouthwash can also be used.
Dental cleanings normally don’t pose any type of risk to patients. However, those that have heart conditions need to let their dentist know about it beforehand. It may be necessary to take antibiotics before the cleaning in order to prevent a condition known as bacterial endocarditis.
Make sure that you don’t put off going to the dentist for regular dental cleanings. Doing so can protect your life. There have been studies that suggest a link between poor oral hygiene and heart problems. Oral cancer, which can be fatal, can also be caught and treated early.
JUL
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