4 Questions to Ask Your Hygienist During a Teeth Cleaning

To maintain healthy gums and teeth, you can benefit from professional teeth cleaning and regular checkups. Having teeth cleaned professionally is recommended even if you brush and floss regularly. Teeth cleaning is usually a preventive dental service that can help you even if you are in good dental health. Read on to learn more about teeth cleaning.

Professional teeth cleaning

Teeth cleaning is an effective procedure for the removal of tartar. Tartar may develop even with careful flossing and brushing especially in areas that are hard to reach during routine brushing. This procedure is usually done by a dental hygienist. Here are four questions a patient should ask the hygienist during teeth cleaning.

Can teeth cleaning cause sensitivity?

Most patients who get their teeth cleaned regularly do not experience sensitivity after the procedure. However, for a person who has not had the teeth cleaned in a while the experience is often different. A person’s teeth may feel more sensitive because the calculus and plaque that covered areas of the teeth are removed and this exposes the areas to hot, cold, solids and liquids. A person may experience tooth sensitivity as the teeth adjust to being fully exposed again. People who have pre-existing sensitivity and a lot of deposit accumulation on the teeth may also have discomfort for a couple of days. Fortunately, there are measures people can take to minimize sensitivity.

Does teeth cleaning hurt?

Teeth cleaning is often not painful. A dentist can use a variety of options, including applying a numbing anesthetic gel before cleaning to help minimize the discomfort. However, after a routine dental scaling and polishing, a patient may find the teeth and gums to be a bit sore. If a person experiences some tooth sensitivity after cleaning, taking over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve pain.

How often should a person have the teeth cleaned?

A patient should check with a dentist about how often the teeth should be cleaned. After assessing a patient’s oral health, the doctor will make particular recommendations about how often the patient should come in. A person can benefit from having the teeth cleaned every six months. But a person who has specific health problems that need special attention may have to see a doctor more often to reduce bacteria in the mouth.

How does a patient keep the teeth clean after an appointment?

A patient should follow a daily oral hygiene routine. This routine will keep the teeth free from plaque, which is the biofilm that eventually turns into tartar if it is left for a long time. Brushing teeth twice a day and flossing at least once daily will help to maintain cleanliness. A person should also rinse the mouth with water after meals to prevent deposits from sticking to the teeth. Using a fluoride mouthwash will also help.

Takeaway

Following a good daily oral hygiene routine will help keep your gums and teeth clean and also prevent the buildup of tartar. But tartar on teeth may build up in places that are hard to reach. This is why it is beneficial to have regular dental checkups. Your dentist will be able to check the condition of your teeth and, if necessary, refer you for a scale and polish, which will help remove tartar.

Are you considering getting a teeth cleaning in the Tucson area? Get more information at https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com.