Dental Cleanings in Chicago – Art of Modern Dentistry

Regular Cleanings Lead to Better Oral Health

Regular dental cleanings improve oral health for everyone—no matter their age. For younger patients, these visits provide an opportunity for the dentist to ensure healthy tooth development and encourage proper brushing and flossing habits.

Professional cleanings remove tartar from the teeth, which is often missed by brushing and flossing. If this hardened plaque isn’t removed, it can lead to decay, infections, and gum disease.

We recommend you schedule dental cleanings twice a year to help remove built-up plaque and tartar and to stay ahead of any developing oral health problems. However, if you’re genetically predisposed to increased plaque buildup, or you already have gum disease, we strongly recommend more frequent cleanings. Your dentist can help you determine how frequently you need to schedule your dental cleanings.

What to Expect During the Dental Cleaning Process

Many people avoid teeth cleanings, and it’s easy to understand why they feel apprehensive. However, a professional teeth cleaning is usually simple and painless. Still, you may be asking yourself, What happens during a teeth cleaning and How long does a teeth cleaning take?

All in all, a teeth cleaning generally takes about 45 minutes, and there are 4 main steps involved: an oral exam, plaque and tartar removal, polishing with toothpaste, and flossing/rinsing. Knowing what to expect during the process will help alleviate any stress you’re feeling and allow you to appreciate the results of your appointment.

1. 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 allows them to check around your teeth and gums for any signs of inflammation. If any major problem is noted, the hygienist may consult with the dentist to make sure it’s alright to proceed with the cleaning.

2. Removal of Plaque and Tartar

The dental hygienist will start the cleaning process by removing plaque and tartar around the gum line and in between your teeth with a tool called a scaler. You will hear a scraping sound, which is entirely normal. Brushing and flossing regularly will shorten the time it takes the dental hygenist to complete this step

3. Toothpaste and Polishing

After all the tartar has been removed, the hygienist will brush your teeth with a high-powered electric toothbrush. It may sound a little scary, but it will leave your teeth feeling completely clean and polished. This process can also help 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 of your teeth.

4. Flossing and Rinsing

After brushing, the dental hygienist will floss your teeth, paying special attention to any trouble spots where your gums may bleed easily. They will also 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.

5. 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, we sometimes recommend molar sealants 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, it’s not too late to improve your oral health.

After your appointment, 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.

Regular cleanings are also important for children, as it helps them form good lifelong dental habits. It also allows the dentist to check on the progress of teeth that have yet to come in, like molars and wisdom teeth. Regular cleanings will also help your child avoid more invasive procedures like root canals and cavity fillings.
​

Visit Our Dentists in South Loop Chicago, IL

Regularly scheduled cleanings are the best way to ensure excellent oral health. If you can’t remember the last time you visited your dentist, reach out to Art of Modern Dentistry and schedule an appointment today. We’re the best option for general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago.

We invite you to contact our offices in Lakeview or South Loop to learn more about our dental cleaning procedures, or, you can book an appointment online on our website.