One of the top reasons you should visit a dentist twice a year is for the deep cleaning the dental hygienist performs during these regular visits. A deep cleaning is designed for one key purpose—to remove the plaque from your teeth, and there are a number of different steps a hygienist takes to do this and make sure all the plaque is gone.
Scrapes teeth
Plaque is the substance you can find on your teeth that can lead to cavities if it is not removed, and that is why removing the plaque from your teeth is a vital part of good oral care. To do this, a hygienist will often begin by using a tool called a scaler. This tool is a small tool that has a sharp, curved edge on it. Hygienists are trained to use this tool to remove plaque from the teeth without harming the enamel. A hygienist will aim to remove all the plaque with this tool but will typically focus primarily on the gum line areas. This is where plaque tends to build up over time, and it can lead to gum disease if left on these areas.
Polishes teeth
The second thing the hygienist will do to remove additional plaque is polish your teeth with a special type of oscillating toothbrush and with special toothpaste. The toothpaste used is very gritty and has the ability to remove additional plaque from the teeth when combined with the oscillating toothbrush. The hygienist will carefully polish every tooth in your mouth on the front and back of each tooth and will also brush the gum lines as well.
Uses a plaque disclosing tablet
In some cases, dental hygienists will test a person's mouth after completing these steps, and this is done with a plaque disclosing tablet or something similar. A plaque disclosing tablet is often blue in color and when placed on the teeth, it will highlight any areas that contain plaque. In other words, it discloses plaque on the teeth, and many hygienists use this simply to make sure they have removed all the plaque from a person's teeth.
You can remove plaque at home by developing good brushing and flossing habits, but you should still visit a dental every six months. During a regular six-month visit, a hygienist will perform these steps and many others to help you keep your teeth clean and cavity-free. For more information, contact companies like Legacy Dental Arts.
Share24 May 2018
Being born with naturally soft teeth, I've spent a lot of time in and out of the dentist's office. Not only have I learned a lot about basic dental care, I've also discovered many tips for dealing with broken teeth, extractions, implants, and more. I decided that I wanted to make the most of my experience by sharing what I've learned with others. True first-hand experience is a great teacher, and I knew that my story could help. I created this site to do just that, and I hope that the information here helps you to understand what to expect from your dental problems.