Teeth Cleaning
Lincoln Park, NJ
 As recommended by the American Dental Association, all patients should see their dentist for a dental checkup, professional cleaning and thorough examination two times a year. This should be done regardless of the age of the patient.
If teeth cleanings are conducted with regularity, the oral cavity's health will be maintained at its highest level. Paired with flossing and brushing two times a day, it can bolster the patient's oral health. This is important not just for the health of the oral cavity, but also for the body's health.
What many patients fail to realize is that oral care and the body's health are both linked to one another. If oral hygiene suffers then so does the body's overall health. In some circumstances, it could even lead to life-threatening health problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or arthritis. For those patients who have questions about dental cleanings or who would like to schedule one, we urge them to come see us at at The Implant Center at Comprehensive Dental.
How Important Are Teeth Cleanings?
When patients thoroughly brush and floss twice a day, it helps to keep the bacteria in the mouth at a healthy level. It removes the bacteria from the surfaces of the teeth and gums and minimizes the chances of decay from spreading. A professional cleaning does the same thing only to a higher level. It is a deeper cleaning of the oral cavity and thereby stymies the development of the bacteria to an even greater degree.
It completely removes bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the tooth's surfaces. Teeth are also polished to remove any stains which may have occurred due to diet choices. By routinely having teeth professionally cleaned and examined, this minimizes the chances of developing decay and periodontal disease.
While cleaning the patient's teeth, we will also look for any changes in their oral pathology. This includes looking for discharge along the gumline, changes in the pigment of the interior lining of their cheek, abscesses, soft tissue damage, or ulcers. This also includes an examination for oral cancer too.
What Happens During a Cleaning?
For most patients, teeth cleanings routinely take 30 to 60 minutes to complete and should occur at least two times a year. We will update the patient's dental records and make notes of any changes in their pathology which might warrant monitoring for the next appointment.
Scalers are used which is a hand tool which scrapes away the bacteria and allows for plaque removal and tartar removal from the patient's teeth. This is done not only on the visible surfaces of the teeth but also the areas below the gumline. Once this is finished, we employ an abrasive toothpaste to brush away any stains on the tooth enamel.
Fluoride treatments are used to help strengthen tooth enamel. We also take x-rays to evaluate the jawbones of the patient. We will make recommendations regarding any situation which might warrant additional treatment.
Preventative and Diagnostic Services During a Dental Cleaning
There are several cleaning and preventive services we provide during a dental appointment. We also provide a dental exam and diagnostic services following the cleanings. Before you leave our office, we will provide information on caring for your teeth at home and the best ways to maintain dental hygiene.
Preventive Services
The first step in our professional cleanings is scaling your teeth in order to remove plaque and tartar. This is called dental prophylaxis. A dental scaler is a special tool that can chip and scrape away debris build-up. We do this to prevent gum disease and other infections. In a regular cleaning, we will scale along the gumline and over the surface of the tooth. For patients with gum disease, scaling must be done below the gumline. This is because the disease forms bacteria pockets.
After scaling, we will brush your teeth using an electric toothbrush and a gritty toothpaste. The gritty texture serves to polish your teeth. We will finish your cleaning by flossing your teeth with a piece of regular dental floss. You will be able to rinse your mouth after these steps are completed. In addition, we will spray the toothpaste off of your teeth before flossing.
There are a few other preventive treatments available should you ever need them. Two of the most common preventive measures are sealants and fluoride treatment. We use sealants to protect your teeth from cavities, and we apply these for higher-risk patients. If you have a history of cavities or have a cavity currently, we will recommend getting sealants to prevent future infection.
Fluoride also helps to prevent cavities and dental disease. You actually ingest this mineral when you drink water, but not everyone gets a sufficient amount in their diet. We can apply this topically, but we can also provide it as an oral supplement.
Diagnostic Services
After our dental hygienist is finished cleaning your teeth, our dentist will provide a thorough dental exam. They will look at your teeth to check for any damage or signs of infections or cavities. In addition, they will check your bite to ensure that your teeth are in proper alignment. If there are any concerns, our dentist will discuss a possible treatment plan with you at this time.
Following this, you will receive an oral cancer screening as a precaution. One of our dentists will look at your mouth and feel your neck to check for lesions, swelling, discoloration, and any other abnormal appearances. We also recommend dental x-rays at least once a year. These confirm that your teeth are still properly aligned and that there are no underlying issues.
Before you finish your appointment, you will get a chance to speak with our dentist about any concerns you may have. In addition, we can offer you advice on taking care of your teeth before your next appointment. For example, we can explain various foods that promote dental health and ones to avoid. We will also explain that you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss them at least once a day.
Call Us in Lincoln Park, NJ Today!
To schedule dental cleanings, call The Implant Center at Comprehensive Dental at (973) 578-6377. |
