For most people, professional dental cleanings are recommended twice a year to help remove any plaque and tartar that has formed, as well as a way of staying ahead of any developing oral health problems. However, for an individual who is genetically predisposed to increased plaque buildup, or for someone who already has gum disease, more frequent cleanings are strongly recommended. Your dentist in the South Loop or Lakeview can help you determine how frequently you need to schedule your dental cleanings.

Regular Cleanings Lead to Better Oral Health

Having regular dental cleanings performed means better oral health for everyone – no matter their age. For younger patients, these visits provide an opportunity for the dentist to ensure healthy development of the teeth and encourage proper brushing and flossing habits.

While regular brushing and flossing at home is vital to good oral health, and useful in removing plaque, this does not diminish the importance of regular professional cleanings. Professional cleanings remove calcium, or tartar, from the teeth. If this hardened plaque isn’t removed, it can lead to decay, infections, and gum disease.

What to Expect During Your Teeth Cleaning in Chicago

Some people get nervous and try to avoid teeth cleanings, and with the poking, strange sounds, and occasional jaw discomfort, it’s easy to understand why they may feel apprehensive. However, overall, a professional teeth cleaning is simple and painless. Knowing what to expect during the process often helps to alleviate any stress and allow you to thoroughly enjoy the minty-fresh results.

Oral Exam

Professional cleanings are usually performed by a dental hygienist, and prior to the cleaning process, your hygienist will use a small mirror to physically examine your entire mouth. This will allow them to check around your teeth and gums for any signs of inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) or other issues. If any major problem is noted, the hygienist may consult with the dentist to make sure it’s alright to proceed with the cleaning.

Removal of Plaque and Tartar

The dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar around the gumline and in between your teeth with the help of a scaler, which is a common dental instrument. You will hear a scraping sound, which is entirely normal, and the more tartar they find, the longer this process will take. Because regular brushing and flossing helps to stop plaque from building up and hardening into tartar, if you really dislike this part of the cleaning process, brushing and flossing more often can help reduce the amount of tartar that needs to be removed.

Toothpaste and Polishing

After all the tartar has been removed, the hygienist brushes your teeth with a high-powered electric toothbrush which may sound a little scary but leaves your teeth feeling completely clean and smooth. This process can also help to remove unsightly surface stains. Professional toothpaste smells and tastes like the toothpaste you use at home, but it has a gritty consistency that polishes the enamel – but would be too powerful to use on a daily basis.

Flossing and Rinsing

After brushing, the dental hygienist will expertly floss your teeth, paying attention to any potential trouble spots where your gums may bleed easily, as well as remove any leftover plaque debris or toothpaste from the earlier cleaning process. Next, you will rinse your mouth to remove any remaining debris – your hygienist will usually provide a rinse that contains fluoride. You may also receive a fluoride treatment as the last step in the cleaning process.

Other Potential Procedures

While X-rays are usually performed once a year, if your dental hygienist or dentist sees something that raises concern, they may perform X-rays or other examinations during your cleaning visit. For children, molar sealants may be recommended to help prevent cavities in those hard-to-brush areas.

The key to preventing major oral health problems is to keep going back to the dentist for regular teeth cleanings. By knowing what to expect in advance, you should feel more at ease – and you might even start looking forward to these appointments.

Jumpstarting Your Oral Health Routine

Sometimes we get sidetracked from the things that are really important to our overall health, and dental hygiene is one of those. If it’s been a while since you’ve scheduled a professional cleaning with your dentist, don’t put it off any longer. Our dental hygienists will have your teeth feeling smooth and shiny, and you will also leave our office with a bag of new toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste. It’s the perfect way to get your oral health routine back on track – after all, once your teeth are pearly white once again, you’ll be anxious to keep them that way!

Regular cleanings are important for children as well, as it helps them get used to going to the dentist, allows the dentist to check on the progress of teeth that have yet to come in, like molars and wisdom teeth, and helps form good habits that will likely last a lifetime. Regular cleanings and check-ups will also help your child avoid more invasive procedures by preventing decay and the formation of cavities.

Visit Our Dentist in the South Loop

Regularly scheduled cleanings are the best way to ensure excellent oral health. If you can’t remember the last time you visited your dentist in the South Loop or Lakeview for a teeth cleaning in Chicago, it’s probably a sign that you should reach out and schedule one now! We invite you to contact our office in Lakeview at (773)-935-3600, or our South Loop office at (312)-922-1898 to learn more about our dental cleaning procedures, or to book an appointment with our highly skilled team of dental professionals.