Do you dread spending hours in line to see a dentist, only to spend another hour or two to receive treatment? The long duration of dental protocols is enough to push people away from seeking oral health services. However, when considering dental cleaning in Morristown, the duration is not a limiting factor, especially if you know exactly what to expect during the treatment.
What Is Teeth Cleaning?
It is a dental protocol in preventive dentistry for maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Dental cleaning near you can be performed by either a dentist or a dental hygienist. The processes involved in dental cleanings focus on all aspects of your oral cavity, not just your teeth.
How Is It Different from Routine Dental Hygiene Protocols at Home?
When you approach a dentist in Morristown for dental cleaning, it will not look like your typical dental hygiene routine at home. Even though teeth brushing and flossing are part of the processes, they are dissimilar.
- Scaling – your attending dental expert will use a scaler to scrape off plaque and tartar from your teeth. The scaler will attend to the hard-to-reach portions of your mouth, including in the gum line pockets.
- Root planing – entails smoothening your tooth roots after scaling. The smoothening process ensures that your gums will attach back to the tooth, overcoming the recession.
- Electric-powered toothbrush – the electric toothbrush your dentist uses to clean your mouth is high-powered, typically producing a grinding noise. Besides, the dentist will use special toothpaste with a gritty consistency for thorough toothbrushing.
- Flossing – is a more intricate process of cleaning deep between your teeth. The dentist will focus on the potentially problematic areas where your gums are likely to bleed.
- Rinsing with fluoride – your dentist will have you rinse your mouth to remove any loose debris.
- Fluoride treatment – usually, dentists apply a fluoride varnish on your teeth after cleaning them. The varnish creates a new coat over your teeth’ enamel, strengthening them and increasing their resistance to bacteria and acids that cause dental cavities.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
At Dental Care of Morristown, teeth cleaning is not a long procedure. It should take about 45 minutes to an hour to complete the treatment. However, the procedure may last a bit longer than usual if you need to undergo root planing and scaling.
How Long Before You Need Another Dental Cleaning Procedure?
Dental experts recommend spacing out your professional dental cleaning appointments six months apart. It means you need at least two dental cleanings every year. However, some circumstances may warrant professional dental cleaning more than twice a year:
- Periodontal disease – is an infection of the gums and jawbone. One of the treatment protocols for periodontal disease is dental cleaning.
- Underlying health conditions may increase your risk of oral illnesses and infections. They include diabetes and cancer.
- Dental cavities – some people are more prone to dental caries than others. Children between ages 6 and 14 may need more dental cleanings, among other preventive dental measures, to reduce their likelihood of dental cavities.
- Badly stained teeth – although you may also need teeth whitening treatment, your dentist may first recommend teeth cleaning.
Tips for Maintaining a Clean Mouth After Dental Cleaning
Dentists hardly recommend cleaning your teeth more than two to three times a year. Therefore, keeping a clean mouth is significantly dependent on your dental care routines in between cleanings. Some of the things crucial for sustaining excellent oral hygiene are:
- Eat clean – you will rarely go wrong with healthy food choices. They ensure you provide your body and mouth with the necessary nutrients while tending to your oral needs. You may need to cut down on sugary and acidic foods and drinks like sodas, lemons, caramel, ice cream, and others.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily – if you are fond of darkly pigmented foods like wines, sauces, and coffees, consider brushing your teeth after every meal.
- Floss daily – it is better to floss before brushing your teeth so you do not remain with remnant debris raised by your dental floss.
- Drink a lot of water – it will not only rinse your mouth and flush out toxins but also reduce acidity that can trigger dental cavities.