It’s no coincidence that National Dental Hygiene Month occurs in October. As we celebrate Halloween season, many of us are already forgetting to monitor our sugar intake. A little friendly reminder to stay on top of our dental hygiene is probably a good thing.
What else can you do? Have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year! It’s one of the best things you can do to take care of your teeth and gums, and it’ll help you stay healthy.
At Beffa Dental, your average dental cleaning with our friendly dental hygienists should be comfortable, painless and take about 45 minutes to an hour – think of it as a relaxing visit to your Burien Smile Spa.
To help take any mystery, or possible fright, out of your teeth cleaning visit, here’s what will take place when you visit us.
- Review the Health of Your Mouth – We’ll check your teeth and gums for any signs of gum disease, tooth decay, as well as how your existing dental work is holding up – fillings, crowns, or dental implants. We’ll also review the following:
– Screen for Gum Disease – We will evaluate the health of your gums and look for any signs of periodontal diseases, disease of the gums. This exam includes using a tiny measuring stick (periodontal probe) to measure and chart your pocket depths. We will also look for any signs of gum recession and other signs of periodontal disease.
– Review Your Bite – As part of your cleaning, we’ll include an occlusal exam to make sure that there’s nothing wrong with your bite, as well as look for any signs of TMJ Disorder.
– Oral Cancer Screening – We’ll examine your tongue, lips, cheeks, throat for any signs of oral cancer. - Remove Plaque & Tartar – What’s plaque and tartar? Plaque is the sticky bacteria that builds up on your teeth. Even with routine brushing and flossing, you’re going to get plaque. And when it builds up, it turns into tartar, a brownish deposit that sticks to your teeth. Plaque and tartar are key contributors to tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why your dental hygienist is going to remove any plaque and tartar from your mouth. And because tartar firmly adheres to your teeth, only your hygienist can remove it. Using a small hand tool called a “scaler”, they will painlessly scrape away the accumulated tartar and plaque. You’ll hear some scraping, but this is just part of every cleaning. The more tartar you have on your teeth, the more time your dental hygienist will need to scrape. Having a lot of tartar on your teeth is also a sign that you may not be as diligent with your daily brushing and flossing.
- Polish & Remove Stains – Once the tartar is removed, your hygienist will clean every surface of your teeth to help take away some stains, and restore your tooth’s enamel to a nice, smooth finish. Your hygienist will apply a gritty paste to your teeth (smells like regular tooth paste, but comes in other flavors too), and gently scrub your teeth using a high-powered electric brush. Without whitening your teeth, we’ll get your teeth as clean and smooth as they can be.
- A Little Flossing – Once your teeth are polished, your dental hygienist will gently clean away any of the polishing paste away with a gentle flossing, and they you’ll be able to rinse out any residue.
- Some Fluoride Treatment – A little extra fluoride can go a long way give your teeth some long lasting cavity protection. Your hygienist will gently paint a fluoride varnish to your teeth.
- Meet with Your Friendly Dentist – After your dental hygienist completes your cleaning, your dentist will come in for a final review of your teeth. If any dental issues were noted by your hygienist, your dentist will verify, and discuss any issues and treatment options with you. This is also a good time to go over any changes in your dental or general health, as well as answer your questions.
- Some Dental Tips – If your oral health can use a little improvement, our team will give you some hygiene tips to incorporate into your daily at-home oral care.
As you can see, there’s nothing scary about teeth cleanings. And there are more benefits to teeth cleaning than just keeping your smile shiny. Regular teeth cleanings will help prevent gum disease and tooth decay, as well as help promote your overall good health. Having your teeth professionally cleaned after the Halloween season might not be a bad idea, either. When you’re ready to to visit us for your teeth cleaning just give us a call at (206) 242-0066 or request your teeth cleaning appointment online.
