How Your Teeth are Cleaned at The Dentist

Have you received dental cleaning services in Calgary in the last year? 

Dental hygienists professionally clean your teeth to prevent gum diseases, remove stains and discolouration, remove built-up plaque and tartar that lead to decay and gum recession while evaluating your overall oral hygiene. Professional dental cleaning is more than just having a bright white smile (as important as that is too!). Regularly scheduled cleaning is key to maintaining the long-term health of your teeth. 

So, what exactly happens after you’ve booked a dental cleaning service in Calgary?

First, the assessment

In most dental cleaning services in Calgary, your hygienist will start by asking if you have any pain or discomfort. They’ll provide a quick examination that can prevent early signs of problems such as:

• Broken fillings 
• Fractures
• Tooth sensitivity
• Cavities
• Cancer indicators

The hygienist should perform an evaluation comparing your oral health between your current and previous visits. They can give helpful advice on how to avoid grinding your teeth, proper flossing, and useful brushing techniques. Cleaning usually takes about an hour, depending on the current health of your teeth and gums. 

The procedure

Your appointment may start with an X-ray and pictures. This is done if it’s been a while since your last X-ray or if you're a new patient at our dental clinic. Don’t worry, there’s no pain. As a matter of fact, there really shouldn’t be any pain throughout the entire cleaning unless you have unusually sensitive teeth or have an ongoing issue. We hope that’s a relief to hear! 

Then, the following are the necessary steps your hygienist will perform, typically in this order: 

1. Your hygienist will assess the health of your teeth and gums and look for any signs of decay or gum recession.
2. They will use a scaling tool to remove any tartar, stain, or plaque. You’ll have suction in your mouth while feeling bursts of water. This is an important procedure as tartar doesn’t completely respond to brushing or flossing. We want to remove this build-up as it can cause cavities.
3. Scaling is completed and your hygienist may blow air on your teeth - if it feels sensitive, let your hygienist know right away! 
4. The next step is flossing. If there is bleeding during flossing, this is a sign of gum disease which we want to correct with consistent brushing and flossing every day. Your hygienist can also give you the best tips on flossing and how often you should do it on your own. 
5. It’s time to polish your teeth. What you’re left with is a smooth surface and a mouth that feels fresh and clean! 
6. Last but certainly not least, a fluoride treatment is applied which protects the teeth from decay and prevents cavities.

You’re all done!

Get ready to love your brighter and more confident smile! Depending on the health of your teeth and gums, your dentist or hygienist will recommend professional cleaning once or twice a year. Other factors, like tobacco use, the presence of periodontal disease, or braces might require coming in more often to prevent bacteria in your mouth, reduce the risk of tooth decay, bad breath, and keep your pearly whites in great health.