What Happens During Your Teeth Cleaning Appointment

Scheduling a teeth cleaning is one of the most essential steps you can take to make sure you do not have gum or periodontal disease. We find that people who do not regularly engage in professional teeth cleanings are at a greater risk for getting these kinds of conditions.

Regular checkups are necessary

If you do not receive a professional teeth cleaning appointment at least once every six months, we may need to perform a deep cleaning in order to get your teeth properly cleaned. For most patients, we recommend that you schedule an appointment at least twice a year, to come in and receive teeth cleaning.

This helps to keep your teeth clean and shiny and also helps us to catch any potential issues before they become serious. The objective of cleaning your teeth is to reach those hard-to-reach spots that your toothbrush cannot go. This allows us to remove plaque or tartar buildup before it goes deeper into the tooth and requires a deep cleaning.

What happens during a dental cleaning

A dental teeth cleaning removes plaque and tartar that builds up on the teeth over time. Plaque is a sticky, soft film that contains millions of bacteria that love to live on your teeth. If left unchecked, these bacteria can cause cavities, gum disease and other complications that you want to avoid.

Generally, we will use an ultrasonic instrument and a dental mirror to examine the teeth and look for signs of irritation, swelling, decay, tartar or bleeding. Without treatment, these can lead to further problems in the future. The ultrasonic instrument we use has a mild vibration technology that loosens larger pieces of tartar.

It also sprays mists of cool water to wash away the tartar and debris loosened by the vibrations. The tip of the ultrasound instrument is rounded and curved and is kept in constant motion. Once we remove the larger pieces of tartar, we will switch to find a handheld instrument to eliminate the deposits on the tooth and smooth the tooth surface.

Necessary cleaning

Once the surfaces of the teeth are clean, we can proceed to the part of the process that many patients find uncomfortable. Part of a good dental teeth cleaning involves polishing the teeth. During this process, we use a slow-speed handpiece that contains a soft rubber cap. Using a gritty toothpaste-like chemical solution, we gradually shine the teeth.

To do this, we allow the solution to spin over the teeth, which creates a shiny and smooth surface. We may also apply fluoride as the final step in the teeth cleaning process. Most dental teeth cleanings take less than 30 minutes, though they may take up to an hour if there is significant work to do.

Once your teeth cleaning is complete, we will let you know if we observe any soft spots, infections or problems that we need to address.  Next, we will create a plan for treating them.

Request a dental appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com/ or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale dental office.

Recent Posts

Get A Broken Tooth Treated To Avoid Complications

Fixing a broken tooth right away is important. This dental damage may seem like nothing more than a cosmetic problem, but it can lead to terrible consequences. Seeing a dentist sooner rather than later can provide immediate relief. If you want to find out the treatments for a broken tooth and its complications, here are…

Questions To Ask Your Dentist About A Cracked Tooth

Are you dealing with a cracked tooth? Continue reading to find out what questions you should ask your dentist about this condition. A cracked tooth can occur in a variety of ways, and it is imperative to treat the tooth as quickly as possible to prevent it from worsening or leading to other more serious…

Choosing A Dental Restoration Option

A dental restoration is a treatment that can help restore your appearance and protect damaged teeth from future harm. There is a range of dental restoration options available, and deciding which is right for you can be a challenge. This guide offers insights into the questions you should ask when choosing the right dental restoration…

Crowns, Fillings, Or Bridges? Treatment Options For A Broken Tooth

A broken tooth is never a good thing. You can break your tooth even with just a sudden bite on a piece of bone, ice, or even toast. One can also get a broken tooth from a sudden, strong blow to the face, such as from a punch or a projectile. Whatever caused your damaged…


Recent Posts

How Invisalign For Teens Improves Smiles

How Invisalign For Teens Improves Smiles

A teenage boy or girl who deals with a crooked smile or uneven bite could be able to use Invisalign® for teens as a corrective treatment. The adolescent and high schools years are often filled with social pressure and a desire for acceptance, and any problems or concerns with a teen’s smile could create self-confidence…

Ask Your Dentist About Invisalign For Teens

Ask Your Dentist About Invisalign For Teens

As a child’s mouth and teeth develop into adolescence, it may become apparent that there are problems with alignment or spacing. Invisalign® for teens presents an alternative to traditional metal braces but without sacrificing the quality of results of corrective treatment. The specifics of a teen’s condition may impact the eligibility of this alignment option,…