Professional Teeth Cleaning

Brushing and flossing regularly are very important for maintaining good oral health and hygiene. But even if you perform them religiously, you need to visit your dentist for a professional cleaning twice a year. A professional tooth cleaning involves diagnostic, preventive and educational services. It leaves your mouth healthier and squeaky clean and is performed by a dentist or a dental hygienist.

What are the diagnostic services provided under professional teeth cleaning?

The following diagnostic services are provided at LaCanne Family Dental:

  • Your dentist will crawl into your medical history and review important information about cardiovascular problems, diabetes, ongoing medication, pregnancy and other factors which can impact your oral health.
  • An oral cancer screening is performed to detect early signs of cancer. Your dentist will look for abnormal growths like lesions and tumors.
  • The health of your gums is evaluated to detect signs of periodontal diseases. Your dentist will look for gum recession and the depth of periodontal pockets to determine the health of your gum tissues.
  • Orthodontic issues are evaluated by examining the bite and its alignment.
  • In case your dentist determines any kind of abnormality, you will be referred to a specialist.

What are the preventive services provided under professional teeth cleaning?

The following preventive services are provided at LaCanne Family Dental:

1
Removal of plaque and tartar

Plaque and tartar deposits result from toxins released by bacteria present in the oral cavity. If ignored, the accumulation of plaque leads to infections and gum diseases. Dental scalers and curettes are used to manually scrape the plaque deposits. Your dentist may also use an ultrasonic scaling instrument with a vibrating tip to remove plaque deposits. The vibrating tip is used to identify regions with plaque deposits and a water spray flushes away the debris.

2
Cleaning with a gritty toothpaste

After the plaque and tartar have been successfully removed, a dental hygienist will brush your teeth with a gritty toothpaste, using an electric toothbrush. This helps in removing any remnants of plaque or tartar.

3
Flossing

After the plaque and tartar have been successfully removed, a dental hygienist will brush your teeth with a gritty toothpaste, using an electric toothbrush. This helps in removing any remnants of plaque or tartar.

4
Rinsing

Your mouth will then be thoroughly rinsed to remove anything that is left behind from the previous steps. Water with liquid fluoride is generally used for rinsing.

5
Dental sealants

A dental sealant is a thin film of clear plastic, which is used to coat pits, fissures, and grooves present on the chewing surface of back teeth or molars. It creates a smoother and regular tooth surface, which is easier to clean and also more resistant to debris accumulation. Mostly, children get their teeth sealed but people of all age can take advantage of dental sealants to protect their teeth against caries and cavities.

An etching gel is painted on the tooth’s surface and is left on for 20 to 60 seconds. It roughens the surface, which allows the sealant to bond well with the tooth. The gel also has anti-bacterial properties that help in killing bacteria present in the grooves and fissures of teeth. The gel is washed off and an air gun is used to blow dry the tooth. Your dentist will assess the result of etching. The etched tooth should look white and frosty after dissolving some mineral content from the enamel. The dental sealant is then applied on the surfaces of teeth prepared to receive the sealant. A curing light is used to harden the sealant. After the sealant has been successfully placed, your dentist will evaluate your bite to determine whether the sealant has altered your bite or not. If the dental sealant hampers the way your teeth come together, your dentist will thin the sealant layer to make sure there are zero anomalies

6
Fluoride treatment

Fluoride is painted on to teeth to prevent demineralization of the enamel and enable the mineralization of demineralized enamel. Application of fluoride on teeth surfaces also reduces the development of caries and cavities in children.

7
Tooth polishing

The final step is to polish the teeth. Your dentist will use a low-speed rotary brush to polish the teeth and make them smooth and shiny. What are the educational services provided under professional teeth cleaning?

The following educational services are provided at LaCanne Family Dental:

  • The right way to brush and floss is demonstrated by a dental hygienist.
  • Nutritional counseling is provided and a proper diet chart is prepared to include healthy foods that uplift oral and overall health.
  • Tobacco-cessation counseling is provided to limit or eliminate the consumption of tobacco-based products. Not only does tobacco consumption discolor teeth but also leads to gum diseases.
  • You will be given a recommendation for future treatment and asked to return for a follow-up.

We, at LaCanne Family Dental, provide for all your needs pertaining to dental services and routine exams. Our dentists with their entire team persist to present you with exceptional treatment that enhances and maintains the beauty of your smile.