Professional dental cleanings are the most widely recommended preventive dentistry procedure. During your visit, a Monterey, CA dentist will examine your teeth and gums and remove any plaque or tartar (calculus) that has built up on them. Afterward, they will polish your teeth and give you a dental sealant to protect the surfaces of any teeth that are afflicted with pits and fissures.
It is recommended to get dental cleanings done at least twice a year. Your dental cleanings are necessary since the buildup of plaque can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, which will eventually cause tooth loss. Professional dental cleaning is essential due to the fact that the mouth that is not clean could be a breeding ground for bacteria, which in turn will cause cavities and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) in your mouth. So, if you want to keep your teeth healthy along with your breath, then make sure that you visit dentists who specialize in dental cleanings.
Let us now see what procedures are involved in a professional dental cleaning session.
- Dental examination
In this procedure, the dentist will examine the teeth and gums of your mouth. He will examine your bite and the spacing of your teeth to check if there is any tooth decay or gum disease present. This will help to determine if further treatment is required in order to keep you healthy.
- Removal of calculus
The dentist will remove any tartar or plaque from the teeth. This is done to ensure that you will be left with a healthy mouth and no more tooth decay. A dentist will use a dental scaler to scrape off any calculus that has formed on your teeth. The dentist will also examine the interproximal (between two teeth) areas and the mesial-distal grooves for the buildup of tartar.
- Removal of plaque
The dentist will then remove any plaque that has accumulated on the tooth surface. The dentist will use a special tool called a scaler to scrape off any plaque or bacteria from the teeth. He will also examine the mouth to see if there is any kind of inflammation present, and if so, he may prescribe antibiotics for you.
- Teeth polishing
After the plaque has been removed, the dentist will then polish your teeth to ensure that your teeth are left with a crystal clear shine. This procedure will help to remove the yellowish tinge that your teeth may have.