Dental Cleaning

According to United Healthcare, a major health insurer in the United States, a dental cleaning and checkup consists of three components: the assessment, the scaling, and the polishing, with an x-ray if necessary.

When you arrive at the dentist’s office, a dental hygienist, trained in cleaning and oral care, will examine your teeth. Your hygienist is looking for any telltale signs of cavities, such as dark areas in the teeth or obvious abscesses. The hygienist may ask you some questions about teeth that have been bothering you, and will examine those areas closely. If it is called for, an x-ray may be taken of your teeth to determine internal structure and decay.

Once you have been examined, the hygienist will begin scaling your teeth with a special instrument. This is the part of the dental cleaning that most people dread. However, it need not be a frightening experience; if you keep your teeth reasonably clean and brushed, and floss regularly, tartar buildup is not a concern. The scaling is done not only to clean tartar but to examine areas of your gums that may be sensitive, indicating an oral health problem.

Finally, the hygienist will polish your teeth with a slightly abrasive toothpaste. This cleans surface stains and gives your teeth a beautiful shine. This process in generally not painful; some patients find the taste of the polishing toothpaste overpowering, however. If you do not like the taste, talk to your hygienist; it is often easy to switch products to find something you like for your dental cleaning.

The hygienist will also floss your teeth to remove any remnants of tartar or plaque. After this, the dentist will usually stop in to look at your mouth and talk to you about any problems you have been experiencing.

The American Dental Association, or ADA, recommends that you maintain a good routine of brushing and flossing between each dental cleaning to keep your teeth healthy and minimize the need for tartar scaling at your next checkup.