What Does a Professional Teeth Cleaning Procedure in Bethesda Usually Involve?

Good oral health is important to a person’s overall well-being. Although most people are aware of this, many do not know what to do when the time comes for a teeth cleaning appointment. Today we’ll be talking about the types of procedures a Bethesda, MD dentist will perform during teeth cleaning and what they might entail.

For those who have never encountered it before, understanding the process before going in can be confusing and overwhelming. So, read the rest of this post to understand what a professional teeth cleaning procedure involve.

Removal of tartar or calculus

Tartar or calculus is the collective term for all the food particles that accumulate on your teeth. Over time, tartar or calculus calcifies and hardens, eventually becoming difficult for the average person to remove. A dentist will use tools such as dental scrapers to scrape and remove any hardened calculus from your teeth. He or she may also use specialized ultrasonic devices to clean calcified matter from your teeth. Therefore, if you want to remove the tartar and calculus from your teeth, you have to go to a dental specialist. A dentist will have the necessary tools and training to remove tartar from your teeth.

Removal of plaque

Plaque is the bane of your existence. It is basically the remains of all the food that you eat and drink, which ultimately becomes hard and deposits onto your teeth. Like tartar, plaque can only be removed by going to a dentist for teeth cleaning. A dental professional will use water jets or an ultrasonic device to clean and remove plaque from your teeth. This way, you know that the debris will not remain on your teeth.

Teeth polishing

Teeth polishing is the final step of the teeth whitening procedure. This step helps to get rid of any bacteria that may be left on your teeth after the cleaning session. Teeth polishing also prevents stains on your teeth that could be caused by foods, beverages, and other substances. Regular teeth polishing helps to keep teeth healthy and clean.

Dental X-rays

If your dentist feels that x-rays are necessary, they will let you know. This step is usually done in order to look for cavities on your teeth or gum recession that could not be identified during the cleaning session.