Finding A Great Dentist

What To Expect At Your Dental Cleaning

2 September 2019

Kenzi Thompson

In an ideal world, you'll have gone to the dentist every six months like clockwork and never missed an appointment. However, people avoid going to the dentist for any number of reasons. You may have avoiding making an appointment due to the cost, fear of the dentist, or simple lack of time. Whatever your reason, deciding to make an appointment for a dental cleaning is a great decision. However, if it's been a while since your last appointment, you may not know what to expect. Here are four things that will probably happen while you're in the dentist's office:

1. You will be asked if you've been experiencing problems.

Your dentist will ask you if you're experiencing any pain or sensitivity. This is a good time to speak up about anything that's bothering you. Your dentist will perform their own examination, but letting them know about your concerns will help them narrow down any potential problems.

2. X-rays will be taken.

Dental x-rays are typically taken on an annual basis. If it's been a while since your last checkup, your dentist will want to x-ray your teeth. This will allow them to see any cavities, decay, or infections that aren't visible to the naked eye. The x-ray procedure is fast and safe. It shouldn't take more than a couple minutes.

3. Your teeth will be cleaned.

Dental cleaning is an important part of any dentist appointment. This part of the appointment will probably be performed by a dental hygienist. The hygienist will start by scraping away any tartar built up on your teeth. They will use a sharp metal tool to remove tartar manually. People with more tartar can expect this to take longer. After the hygienist has finished this procedure, called planing, they will then polish your teeth using a special abrasive toothpaste. Finally, they will carefully floss around each tooth.

4. Your gum health will be measured.

If you're an adult, your dentist will probably take the opportunity to check on your gum health while you're in their chair. Your gums are an important part of your mouth's overall health. Unhealthy gums can begin to recede, leaving your teeth exposed. Your dentist will gently stick a measuring device into the pocket of gum tissue beside each tooth. Some people find this a little uncomfortable, but you shouldn't experience significant pain. These readings will let your dentist know if you're beginning to develop gum disease. If you are, they will give you steps you can use to address it and reverse the problem.

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