What types of dental cleaning do you offer?
At Dominion Smiles, there are mainly three types of dental cleaning. First, if you come in regularly every three to six months, we do a routine cleaning. This may also be called a prophylaxis, and if you have gum disease, you may come in more frequently for periodontal maintenance.
The second type is therapeutic cleaning. This is for patients who have not had a cleaning in a long time but do not have a major infection. We may use a little numbing and clean in more detail. It takes a little more time but is still relatively quick.
The third type is deep cleaning. Deep cleaning is needed when you have not had a cleaning for a very long time, and there is a lot of buildup, along with gum and bone loss. We go in thoroughly to clean everything well and polish the teeth.
What is the importance of getting a dental cleaning?
The importance of dental cleaning is that it builds a good foundation for your teeth to stay strong. Also, a lot goes through our mouths every day when we eat and drink. Dental cleaning helps eliminate or reduce bacteria in your mouth, so you are not swallowing large amounts of bacteria every day.
How often do I need dental cleaning?
That depends. Aside from catch-up therapeutic cleaning or deep cleaning, we normally want to see patients every three to four months or every six months, depending on gum health and how well you are able to care for your teeth at home. We will give you a more detailed plan and customize it for you.
How long does a typical cleaning take?
A typical cleaning usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. The time can vary a little depending on how sensitive you are. If your teeth or gums are more sensitive, we slow down and take extra time to make sure you are comfortable.
What happens during a routine teeth cleaning?
During a routine cleaning done every three to six months, we use a vibrating device to remove hard tartar from your teeth. Then we use hand instruments to clean smaller areas in more detail and make sure everything is nice and clean.
After that, we polish your teeth with a cleaning material so your teeth will feel smooth and extra clean. Then we rinse and floss, and you will walk out feeling refreshed.
Can the dental hygienist remove all tartar during my teeth cleaning?
Normally, the dental hygienist is able to remove all tartar during a cleaning. The only time we may not remove everything is if you have stains around your teeth, very large fillings, unstable fillings, or other dental materials. We do not want to forcefully chip anything off and risk causing damage.
Can a dental cleaning damage teeth?
Actually, no. The goal of dental cleaning is to properly clean and polish the teeth and gum area. Sometimes people say a cleaning damaged their tooth, but often that happens because there was already a loose filling or a weak spot that became noticeable during the cleaning.
How do we treat sensitive teeth during dental cleaning?
There are two sides to that. If the sensitivity is mainly in the gums, we may prescribe a special mouth rinse to help with bleeding and sensitivity. If the sensitivity is coming from the teeth, we may recommend a special toothpaste.
We also have laser treatment to help desensitize the area, especially when gum recession exposes the root and causes sensitivity. In addition, we may apply a protective medicine to the tooth to cover the exposed area. This can help reduce or eliminate the sensitivity.
How can I make an appointment with Dominion Smiles to have a dental cleaning?
Want to learn more? Call Dominion Smiles at (210) 866-8730 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.