Visits to the dentist aren’t exactly fun and for many, it can be a nightmare. But it’s a necessary part of dental health as procedures performed at home such as brushing and flossing don’t complete the job of keeping teeth clean. With some understanding of how the dental cleaning process works, people may become more receptive to the idea of scheduling regular dental check-ups which is why we’ve decided to list out the three steps dentists take to ensure that pearly whites are kept, well, pearly white.
Scaling
Scaling refers to the process of removing plaque and tartar from the teeth. Ultrasonic instruments which vibrate rapidly are often used which consist of metal tips and a water spray to cool the nozzle. Hand instruments may also be combined to reach very small areas that ultrasonic tools cannot get to.
Polishing
Once teeth are cleaned they are polished using a paste and a hand instrument with a rubber cup. Similar to buffing nails, the rubber cups polishes the paste into the teeth to give it a smooth and shiny appearance.
Application of fluoride
Fluoride, which strengthens enamel, is the last step in the professional cleaning procedure. It is a gel that’s applied to a tray and inserted into the mouth so that the teeth can rest on it. After about a minute, the tray is removed.