March 20th was the first official day of spring. And while it might still be a little chilly here in Flagstaff, things are slowly beginning to thaw, and the beauty of spring is soon to bloom. Along with the flowers and warmer weather, synonymous with spring is the idea of cleaning! We’ve been hibernating for the past few months and it’s time to dust, clean, organize, and polish our possessions and our properties for a new season. And while we’re at it, it’s a good time to also clean our teeth!
Knowing what to expect from a specific event or activity can put our minds at ease. And since anxiety often surrounds the dentist office, we want to reassure you by sharing just what to expect when you schedule your biannual teeth cleaning with us at Country Club Dental Flagstaff.
Dental X-Rays
If it is your first time visiting with us, or it’s been a while since your last set of x-rays were taken, one of our skilled dental hygienists will start your visit by taking a few images of your teeth so we can get the full picture of what’s happening with your teeth on the inside, as well as on the outside.
The frequency of getting dental X-rays taken will depend on your medical dental history, disease risk factors and the current condition of your mouth. Some patients with gum disease will need to have X-rays taken every 6 months in order to stay on top of disease progression. Patients with overall healthy mouths will only require X-rays every one to two years.
A Thorough Examination
Next, your hygienist will undergo a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. Using a small mirror and other dental tools, they will check for any initial signs of dental caries (cavities) or gum disease.
More specifically, they’ll be looking for any visible dark spots on or between your teeth, or tooth sensitivity that could indicate the presence of a dental cavity. They’ll also check for redness or swelling (inflammation) around the gumline, which is an indication of gingivitis.
Removal of Plaque and Tartar
After your hygienist has evaluated your teeth for signs of dental disease, they will begin to gently scrape away the plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is that sticky residue that, if not cleaned regularly through daily brushing and flossing, becomes the primary cause of cavities and gum disease.
Plaque that remains on or between your teeth for over 24-72 hours turns into tartar. Tartar is harmful to your teeth, because once it builds up it hinders your ability to brush and floss properly, increasing your risk for disease. And tartar can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning, one reason biannual cleanings are so important!
Teeth Cleaning & Polishing
Once these harmful substances are removed from your teeth, the cleaning process can begin. A high-powered toothbrush and some gritty toothpaste will be used to scrub away any remaining loose plaque or tartar and make your teeth sparkle.
Expert Flossing
Even if you floss daily at home, nothing beats a professional dental flossing. As your hygienist gently glides the floss between each tooth, they will take this opportunity to evaluate for other signs of gum disease, like bleeding gums.
And while they check your gums, they will examine the depth of the pocket between your gumline and the gum attachment site to each tooth. In healthy teeth and gums, this pocket is 1-2mm deep. However, if periodontal disease has set in, the pocket depth increases to 3-4mm or deeper.
After flossing, you get one final, good rinse of the mouth before your visit with your dentist. Running your tongue over your teeth has never felt so good.
Consultation with Your Dentist
Once your full teeth cleaning is concluded, your dentist will come in and give a final examination of your teeth with a mirror and other dental tools.
If X-rays were taken, your dentist will go over them with you and note any concerns they might have. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you have about your oral health. Finally, if your dentist recommends getting a cavity filled or another dental procedure, you can make an appointment with our receptionist at checkout.
A Few Other Aspects of Your Professional Teeth Cleaning
There are many reasons why people avoid the dentist office. The common reasons we see at Country Club Dental Flagstaff have to do with concerns about either dental procedures or finances.
Tell Us Your Concerns
One of the keys to a great, professional teeth cleaning is to be completely honest with your hygienist up front, and let them know of any concerns you have. These concerns could be about oral pain or tooth sensitivity, or about other aspects of the cleaning that might create a sense of anxiety for you. If you have sensitive gums that need special care during the exam, just let your hygienist know, and they will take extra caution while examining and cleaning your teeth and gums.
No Insurance, No Problem
A dental cleaning in and of itself might not be a financial deterrent to you. But you may have concerns that your cleaning will uncover some dental work that needs to be done. This concern has kept many people from getting a much needed biannual cleaning that could actually catch and prevent further disease.
At Country Club Dental, we have financing options like our Dental Savings Club and Zero Percent APR financing for qualified candidates through CareCredit. If cost is a concern to you, our amazing team can help find savings for you that can get your teeth the care they need. Contact us today to schedule your spring teeth cleaning!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use. Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash (3/28/2019)
