April is an exciting time at Parkway Prosthodontics as we celebrate our wonderful dental hygienist, Jana, and all that she does to keep our patients happy and healthy for years to come.
Many people dread teeth cleanings. Between the prodding, strange noises, and occasional jaw discomfort, it’s easy to understand their apprehension. But for most, a teeth cleaning is simple and painless. Knowing exactly what is going on during the process can help ease your stress and allow you to better enjoy the minty-fresh results.
A Physical Exam | Before the actual cleaning process begins, our Dental Hygienist, Jana, will start with a physical exam of your entire mouth. If she detects major problems, she may call in Dr. Ryan to make sure it’s fine to proceed.
Removing Plaque and Tartar | Our hygienist uses a scaler to get rid of plaque and tartar around your gum line, as well as in between your teeth. You’ll hear scraping, but this is normal. The more tartar there is in your mouth, the more time they’ll need to scrape a particular spot.
Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning | After your teeth are completely tartar-free, Jana brushes them with a high-powered electric brush. While it sounds scary, it’s a great way to get a deep clean and remove any tartar left behind from the scaler. This polishing of the teeth is deemed safe to do twice a year.
Expert Flossing | Whether you floss regularly at home or not, nothing beats an expert flossing session. Our dental hygienist can get deep between your teeth and locate any potential trouble spots where you might bleed at the gums.
Rinsing | Next, you rinse out your mouth to get rid of any debris. Our dental hygienist, Jana, will usually give you a rinse that contains liquid fluoride.
Applying Fluoride Treatment | The last step of the cleaning process is fluoride treatment. This treatment is used as a protectant for your teeth to help fight against cavities for several months. It’s usually left on your teeth for one minute. Fluoride varnish will harden when in contact with saliva, so you can eat and drink immediately after.
Professional teeth cleanings are scheduled twice a year, while X-rays are normally done once a year. Still, depending on what Dr. Ryan or our Dental Hygienist, Jana, observes in your mouth, they might do other exams during your visit.
Whether you need any additional steps or not, the key is to keep coming back for regular teeth cleanings to prevent problems altogether. By understanding what’s going on in advance, you’ll feel more at ease — and maybe even look forward to these appointments!