Keeping your teeth and gums clean is more than just looking good when you smile. It’s a big part of a healthy lifestyle and staying healthy. While it’s easy to put off a dental checkup visit or delay routine teeth cleanings, the truth is that your mouth says a lot about your overall health.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand everything you need to know about adult dental cleaning. This will cover what really happens in the chair at our dentist, and how often you should visit the dentistry.
We’ll also look at why dental cleaning is more important than you might think, in addition to brushing and flossing.
So, whether you’re due for your next dental appointment at Studio Smiles NYC or you haven’t been in to see our dental hygienist in years, this article will guide you on the necessary steps to help you make an informed decision about a dental treatment. Let’s get right into the details!
What Is a Dental Cleaning & Why Should You Care?
A dental cleaning is a routine procedure in which a dental hygienist or dentist removes plaque (the soft stuff) and tartar (the hard, crusty stuff) from your teeth and gums. Beyond brushing and flossing, these cleanings help to prevent cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.
However, beyond that, professional cleanings also give our dentist or dental hygienist a chance to check and discover any issues early and get rid of them. This can save you a lot of pain, time, and money later on. In simple terms, here’s what routine dental cleanings can do:
- Prevent bacteria from causing gum disease and tooth decay
- Help you avoid bad breath
- Keep your smile healthy and bright
- Identify early signs of serious oral health conditions like diabetes, oral cancer, or even heart problems
In other words, dental cleaning is not just about your teeth and oral health. It’s about your whole body.
What to Expect During an Adult Teeth Cleaning Process
Now that you know how important dental cleaning is, let’s talk about what to expect during your dentistry appointment at Studio Smiles NYC.
Well, there’s really nothing to be afraid of, because you’ll be in and out of the clinic before you know it. The following is a step-by-step walk-through of a typical teeth cleaning process at our clinic:
Physical Dental Exam
Before the cleaning starts, our dental hygienist will use a small mirror to look inside and around your mouth.
They will use this small mirror to check for bleeding gums, your tongue, and teeth for signs of inflammation, swelling, cavities, or other concerns. If anything stands out, the dentist or dental hygienist may take a closer look before the cleaning continues. This dental exam ensures that your treatment starts on a smooth and efficient note.
Removing Plaque and Tartar with a Scaler
This is where the scraping begins, but don’t worry. It’s not painful. The dentist will use a tool called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from around your gum line and between teeth to prevent cavities. The more tartar build up you have, the longer this dental cleaning process takes.
Our dental hygienist uses an ultrasonic scaler with vibrations and water sprays to make the process more efficient and comfortable for you.
Brushing and Polishing Your Teeth with Gritty Toothpaste
Once the plaque and tartar have been removed from your gums and teeth, our dental office will brush your teeth with a high-powered electric brush and gritty toothpaste to remove residual cavities and bacteria.
Now, this is not like your regular toothpaste. The gritty toothpaste also helps in polishing the enamel and remove any stains that are remaining.
Professional Flossing
Even if you floss regularly, and we hope you do, professional brushing and flossing is more extensive.
While performing professional flossing, our dentist or dental hygienist will gently insert the floss between all your teeth and gums, remove plaque that is hidden, and identify areas that may bleed or require additional care.
Rinsing with Fluoride Solution
Next, the dentist will rinse your mouth with water or a fluoride solution to wash away debris. This step helps ensure that you leave the dentist’s chair with a clean and refreshed mouth.
Fluoride Treatment
While this is optional, it is highly recommended at the dentistry. This involves applying fluoride gel or foam to your teeth using a brush or tray. It helps to strengthen your enamel and also prevent cavities until your next appointment. It takes only a few minutes, and it’s totally painless.
Types of Professional Teeth Cleanings
The first thing you must understand is that not everyone needs the same type of dental cleaning. The dental professionals at Studio Smiles NYC will recommend the right one based on your oral health condition. Meanwhile, the common types of professional teeth cleanings are:
Prophylaxis Cleaning
These are your basic, preventive teeth cleanings. It is the dental cleaning most people get every six months to get rid of minor dental issues and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Scaling and Root Planing
Also known as deep cleaning, scaling, and root planing is a more advanced teeth cleaning procedure and is often done if you have gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis (periodontal disease).
This procedure involves cleaning below the gum line and smoothing the roots to get rid of bacteria, allowing your gums to heal and reattach. You may need this dental cleaning if your gums are pulling away from your teeth or if you experience bleeding, swelling, or loose teeth.
Periodontal Maintenance Deep Dental Cleaning
According to the American Dental Association, once you’ve had a deep dental cleaning or have been treated for gum disease, you need periodontal maintenance more frequently.
These teeth cleanings are often done every three to four months to keep things under control with your teeth and gums.
Gross Debridement Cleaning
This is a more intense first step for people who haven’t visited the dentist in years and have a heavy build up of plaque and tartar. This treatment helps our dentist to evaluate your teeth and gums properly before continuing with other dental procedures.
What to Know About Plaque and Tartar
Before continuing with the teeth cleanings treatment options, let’s get a bit into what plaque and tartar are.
Plaque: This is the sticky, soft film that forms on your teeth from food, bacteria, and saliva. It forms every day and can be removed by regular dental cleaning.
Tartar: Also called calculus, tartar is what happens when plaque hardens. It sticks firmly to your teeth and can only be removed by a professional during a dental exam and cleaning.
If plaque is not removed, it can lead to tartar build up, which can cause gum irritation, inflammation, and ultimately gum disease.
What is Root Planing?
Root planing is a part of deep cleaning that’s more than just scraping tartar. It involves smoothing the tooth roots so that bacteria, plaque, and tartar don’t have a place to hide. This treatment helps your gum reattach to the teeth and stops gum disease from progressing. It undoubtedly has many benefits.
Root planing can be done in stages, and our dental hygienist may numb your mouth to keep you comfortable throughout the process.
How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
The general rule of thumb for teeth cleanings for adults, according to the American Dental Association, is every six months. However, it can vary depending on your personal oral health condition. For example:
- If your mouth is healthy and you don’t have dental issues, twice a year is fine.
- If you have had gum disease or are prone to build up, our dentist might recommend teeth cleanings every 3-4 months to get rid of dental issues.
- People with braces or certain medical conditions may also need more frequent teeth cleanings for optimal benefits.
A quick checkup for our services at Studio Smiles NYC is all it takes to find out what’s right for you.
Does Teeth Cleaning Hurt?
Well, for most people, teeth cleanings are not painful. Of course, you might feel a slight pressure or scraping, but nothing sharp or painful.
If you have sensitive teeth or sore gums, let our dental hygienist know so that they can take it slow, apply numbing gel, or use tools designed for comfort.
After a deep cleaning and polishing, your gums may feel sore for a day or two. However, don’t worry; it’s temporary and indicates that your gums are healing.
What Happens If You Skip Routine Dental Cleanings?
Understandably, life gets busy, and it’s easy to skip teeth cleanings. However, there are implications. Some of these include:
- Plaque hardening into tartar
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Tooth sensitivity and pain
- Gum infections
- In serious cases, tooth loss
And here is what people often forget – when gum disease starts, you may not feel anything at all. It’s silent at first until things get worse.
Routine teeth cleanings, in addition to brushing and flossing, will help detect these problems early and prevent bigger and more expensive dental treatment, keeping your oral health in shape.
How Do Regular Teeth Cleanings Affect Your Overall Health?
Did you know that your oral health is closely linked to your overall health? According to the American Dental Association, gum disease, for instance, is associated with several health issues, including:
- Heart disease: Bacteria from gum infections can enter your bloodstream and affect your heart.
- Diabetes: Gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar levels.
- Stroke: There’s a connection between gum disease and increased risk of stroke.
- Respiratory Problems: It can remove bacteria from the mouth and transfer it to the lungs through inhalation, causing infections.
This is why our dental hygienist always says, “The mouth is a window to your body.” Therefore, keeping it clean matters more than most people realize.
How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy Between Appointments
Our dental hygienist does their part twice a year during the teeth cleaning process, but the rest is up to you. In addition to brushing and flossing, the following are easy and practical ways you can take care of your healthy teeth daily:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for a minimum of two minutes
- Floss regularly, at least once a day, to remove food and plaque from between teeth
- Reduce sugary foods and drinks
- Drink water often, especially after meals
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months
- Use mouthwash if recommended by our dentist
- Avoid smoking because it’s one of the fastest ways to damage your gums
Are You Nervous About Going to the Dentist?
Dental anxiety is real, and you’re definitely not alone in this. Many adults feel nervous, or even embarrassed, especially if it’s been a long time since they used dental services.
However, remember that dentists have seen everything. Their job is not to judge you. It’s to help you feel better and stay healthy. If you’re anxious, do the following:
- Tell our office ahead of time so they can prepare to support you
- Ask questions so you know what to expect
- Take a deep breath and bring headphones to help you relax
- Start with a simple cleaning, and not a full procedure
At our clinic, nervous patients are treated with extra care and patience. Our dentist will work with you at your pace and talk you through every step.
Final Thoughts
Taking one hour out of your day twice a year for teeth cleanings might seem small, but the truth is, it’s one of the smartest things you can do for your oral health, in addition to brushing and flossing. Your teeth deserve it and your body deserves it as well.
And you also deserve the confidence that comes with a healthy, clean smile. Are you ready for dental cleaning? Call us or schedule your appointment with Studio Smiles NYC today to get started on your optimal dental journey.
