Dental Cleanings
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• | Measure your gum pockets: At the beginning of your dental cleaning, your hygienist, with a probe in hand, measures your gum pocket depth. You may have heard your hygienist call out numbers ranging from 1-5. This number system is in millimeters and the smaller the number, the better. The probe measures the depth of the gum pockets, and when the gums are infected, the pocket deepens as the tooth begins to separate from the gums. Any number greater than 3mm is an indication of gum disease. Based on your measurements, your hygienist may recommend a periodontal cleaning and a thorough a scaling and root planing process. |
• | Removal of plaque, tartar and calculus: During your dental cleaning, the hygienist will remove bacteria and plaque that are in your mouth. Plaque is a naturally occurring blend of saliva and food debris that constantly rests on your teeth and along the rim of your gums. Tartar or calculus is plaque that has rested until it has hardened. A patient is able to remove plaque with a toothbrush, but tartar and calculus should only be removed a someone who is trained to do so, so as to not damage the enamel of your tooth. |
• | Education and tips: Throughout your cleaning process, your hygienist may offer brushing and flossing tips. As they spot areas that are missed, they can point out your trouble spots and show you different techniques. |
• | Polishing: Your dental cleaning is completed with polishing. The hygienist will use a gritty toothpaste along with a rotary brush to polish your teeth and remove surface stains. This will help your teeth look and feel cleaner and brighter. |