Dental Care Tips For People Of All AgesDental Care Tips for People of All Ages


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Dental Care Tips For People Of All Ages

Whether you came to this blog to learn about caring for your child's baby teeth or if you need information on dental implants, you'll find what you're looking for here. While we always recommend that you discuss your concerns with your dentist, our blog is an excellent starting point that can offer you immediate answers to some of your most pressing questions. This site not only provides our readers with the latest tips on dental care, but it also touches on ways in which chronic health conditions can affect your oral health. We want our readers to be well-informed dental patients and we hope we can help you do just that!

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What Happens At A Teeth Cleaning Appointment?

Many adults and children suffer from anxiety when they anticipate going to the dentist. However, you have nothing to fear from routine teeth cleaning appointments. These appointments aren't ordinarily invasive or painful. You can expect these four treatments at your next teeth cleaning appointment:

1. Teeth polishing

Your dentist or their assistant will polish your teeth first. Professional teeth polishing is a lot like brushing your teeth. However, your dentist will use a special electronic tooth polisher with a rotating head instead of a toothbrush. Instead of ordinary toothpaste, your teeth will be polished with a grittier paste that's more abrasive. This will help your dentist lift stains and plaque away from the enamel of your teeth.

2. Scaling

Scaling is an important part of your teeth cleaning appointment. Your dentist will use a pointed metal hook to carefully scrape tartar away from your teeth. Tartar is plaque that has hardened onto the surface of your teeth. It can't be removed with floss or a toothbrush. The only way to get rid of it is through professional teeth cleaning. Scaling may be uncomfortable, especially if you have a lot of tartar built up. The best way to keep tartar to a minimum is to keep up with your oral hygiene routine by flossing and brushing your teeth daily. This will help the scaling process go faster.

3. Flossing

Finally, your dentist will floss your teeth. This allows them to loosen bacteria and plaque that lurk beneath the surface of your gums. Your dentist will demonstrate the ideal flossing technique so you can copy it when you clean your own teeth at home. Your dentist may also ask about your typical flossing habits, encouraging you to floss more frequently if you don't already floss daily. After your dentist finishes flossing your teeth, you will have the opportunity to rinse your mouth with clean water before your appointment ends.

4. X-rays

Your dentist won't take X-rays of your teeth every time you go in for a teeth cleaning, However, you'll need to have X-rays taken at least once a year. You may need more frequent X-rays if you develop tooth pain in between your normally scheduled X-rays. Your dentist will take X-rays of your teeth during your teeth cleaning appointment. It will only add another few minutes, so you can still expect to be out of your teeth cleaning appointment in a timely manner.

Reach out to a business like Scott W. Murphy Dentistry to learn more about teeth cleaning appointments.