Teeth Cleanings & Exams
At-home oral care is essential, but if you want to make sure nothing gets missed when it comes to your smile, our Lexington, KY, dentists also recommend professional teeth cleanings and exams every 6 months. During these visits, we can clear stubborn tartar with specialized tools, identify cavities in need of treatment, and discuss where there’s room for improvement. Typically, cleanings take an hour and are a straightforward, painless experience.
What Are the Stages of a Teeth Cleaning?
A dental cleaning begins with a physical exam of your entire mouth. One of our hygienists will use a small mirror to check your teeth, gums, and soft tissue for inflammation or any areas that need attention. If you are due for X-rays, which is usually the case once a year, those are taken before the cleaning starts. It’s not uncommon for a teeth cleaning appointment to also include an oral cancer screening at the beginning.
Next comes the removal of plaque and tartar. A tool known as a dental scaler is used to gently scrape buildup around the gum line and between the teeth. If you hear a scraping sound during this stage, don’t worry, it’s normal. This step is important because brushing and flossing at home cannot remove hardened tartar.
After the teeth are cleared of debris, they are polished with a gritty toothpaste and a high powered electric brush. This smooths the surface of each tooth and helps slow future plaque buildup. The final step of is flossing. Our hygienist will clean between each tooth and may point out areas where your gums need more attention during daily care.
Are There Different Types of Dental Cleanings?
Most patients receive a standard teeth cleaning when they visit our Lexington, KY, dental office. It is preventive, routine, and recommended twice a year. This is the cleaning used to maintain good oral health and keep everyday plaque in check.
For patients who have not been to the dentist in more than a year or who have heavy buildup, a gross debridement may be needed. This is similar to a standard cleaning, but takes longer because thicker layers of plaque and tartar must be removed before a regular polish can be done.
Scaling and root planing is a deeper cleaning and helps treat gum disease. It targets the areas above and below the gum line where bacteria collect. This type of cleaning is recommended only when signs of gum disease are detected. Ultimately, our local family dentists will let you know if anything beyond a standard cleaning is needed and will explain why.
Schedule a Teeth Cleaning Today
Our dentists in Lexington, KY, recommend teeth cleanings to every patient as they help prevent decay, protect gum tissue, and keep smiles healthy year round. If it has been six months or longer since your last visit, now is a great time to get back on track. Call Hamburg Expressions today at (859) 543-9000 to request an appointment and schedule an online smile consultation.