Professional Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleaning is an important part of a routine dental visit. It’s strongly recommended that children have a professional cleaning every 6 months. Usually, a dental hygienist performs the cleaning.

The cleaning takes about 30 minutes to complete and your child will be reclined in a comfortable chair for the procedure. The dental hygienist will use special tools to complete the cleaning including a mirror, a tooth scraper, and a special toothbrush.

During the Cleaning the Dental Hygienist will:

• Remove the calculus (hardened plaque found on the tooth’s enamel). One reason it’s important to schedule routine cleaning is that this type of plaque cannot be removed without special dental instruments.
• Get rid of the other plaque that is built up on the teeth which can cause bacteria to grow in the mouth.
• Polish your child’s teeth to remove any stains or discoloration.
• Instruct you and your child on proper oral hygiene for the child at his/her age.

What to Expect During the Procedure:

• An initial visual inspection of the mouth to check for any visible problems that may need to be monitored or corrected.
• X rays, when appropriate, to detect any tooth decay or other oral problems that are not visible.
• The plaque and tartar using the tooth scraper described above.
• Tooth polishing using a special toothbrush to remove any discoloration or stains.
• Professional flossing in all those hard-to-reach areas.
• A fluoride treatment to prevent cavities and tooth decay.
• One final inspection by the dentist and a conversation about how to continue practicing appropriate dental hygiene at home.

During a routine tooth cleaning appointment, the dentist and hygienist check for signs of other potential problems like cavities or receding gums. It’s a good way to get an early start on correcting any potential problems. So, don’t forget to schedule your routine cleaning at least every six months.