It’s not uncommon for patients to feel anxious about sitting in the dentist’s chair. But getting a teeth cleaning and dental exam every six months is the best way to safeguard your smile.
Here’s what you can expect during your next teeth cleaning appointment with us.
1. Dental X-Rays
We may take X-rays of your teeth and jaws to ensure there are no cavities or other issues.
Certain X-rays, like panoramic X-rays, we’ll need to take every few years. But the frequency of dental X-rays will depend on your own oral health.
2. Physical Exam of Your Entire Mouth
A dental hygienist will start by examining your entire mouth for any issues. If they detect anything, they’ll pass that information onto Dr. Nazarian.
3. Plaque and Tartar Removal
Brushing and flossing your teeth at home removes most dental plaque. But nothing beats the thoroughness of a professional teeth cleaning. Also, only a dental professional will be able to remove plaque that’s hardened into tartar.
Your dental hygienist will use a special dental tool called a scaler to .
4. Polishing Your Teeth
The dental hygienist will ask you to pick out your favorite flavor tooth polish, such as bubblegum or vanilla. They’ll then use a special high-powered brush to polish your teeth. The toothbrush will make a loud whirring noise that can sound like drilling to some patients. But you don’t need to feel alarmed. Teeth cleanings are painless.
Polishing your teeth is too abrasive to do more than every six months. But it’s safe to do during your dental appointment.
5. Flossing
We hope that you’re flossing once a day at home. But we’ll also floss your teeth during your appointment. The dental hygienist will make sure to get beneath the gum line to remove hidden plaque. They will also be able to detect where gum bleeding occurs, which is a sign of gingivitis.
Check out our blog post to learn how 7 simple habits can cure your gingivitis.
6. Rinsing
After your teeth cleaning, we’ll rinse away any residual tooth polish or plaque.
7. Dental Exam From Our Dentist
Once you’re done with your teeth cleaning, Dr. Nazarian will come in to do the final checkup.
If Dr. Nazarian doesn’t detect any issues with your oral health, you’re all set. We’ll then ask you to set up your next dental exam and teeth cleaning in six months’ time.
You should experience no adverse side effects from a teeth cleaning. The only exception would be if you have any underlying health conditions, such as gum disease.
Add-Ons
Each patient is different. As such, we’ll customize your treatment to help you maintain a healthy smile for life. For example, we may recommend dental sealants to protect back teeth from cavities. Likewise, we may recommend oral cancer screenings if you smoke or have a family history of cancer.
These are both add-on treatments we can offer during your .
Schedule Your Next Teeth Cleaning With Us
Dr. Nazarian has dedicated his career to helping patients achieve healthy, attractive smiles. To schedule a teeth cleaning with our Shelby Township dentist, call the Premier Dental Center at (248) 457-0500.
This blog post has been updated.
