Dental Cleaning and Examinations Federal Way, WA
Your oral health will benefit from regular dental cleaning appointments. Regular dental cleanings can help prevent tooth decay and other damage that could eventually lead to serious health complications. Dental cleaning appointments may include an oral exam, fluoride treatment, and dental X-rays.
Dental checkups are available at Smile Center Dental Care in Federal Way and the surrounding area. Contact us at (253) 336-0023 to schedule an appointment.
Why Dental Cleanings Are Important
Even with excellent care, teeth and gums should still be examined and cleaned by a dentist. The dental professional will use special tools to remove any plaque buildup that may be difficult to remove with brushing or flossing alone.
With good oral hygiene and professional dental cleaning every six months, the risk of losing adult teeth declines considerably. The dental professional may also take X-rays, which reveal early signs of tooth decay and other types of damage. Early detection of any dental problems can help correct or reverse problems before they become worse.
“Even with excellent care, teeth and gums should still be examined and cleaned by a dentist.”
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning
During a routine dental cleaning, our team will do several things to evaluate oral health and clean the teeth. Many people avoid dental exams because they expect them to be painful and uncomfortable. Knowing what to expect from this process can help ease any anxiety patients may have about visiting a dentist. Communicating with the dental staff is also important. If the dental team is aware of sensitive areas or other concerns, they can take care to make the patient more comfortable.
Oral Exam
Before the cleaning, the dental professional may perform a visual examination of the mouth, teeth, and gums. They will use a small mirror to check inside the mouth and around the teeth for any problems, such as cracked teeth and swollen gums. If the dental professional discovers anything that needs additional attention, they will provide recommendations for further dental treatment.
X-Rays
The dentist will likely want to take new X-rays once a year to identify any issues that cannot be seen during the visual exam. For example, dental X-rays allow the dentist to see cracks in the teeth, small spots that indicate tooth decay, problems with the roots of the teeth, and other oral health conditions.
To take the X-rays, the dental professional will place a lead covering the patient's chest to avoid exposing the chest and abdomen to any radiation. The dentist will review the X-rays and make any additional treatment recommendations based on what the X-rays reveal.
“Before the cleaning, the dental professional may perform a visual examination of the mouth, teeth, and gums.”
Cleaning the Teeth
The dental professional will use a special instrument to clean the teeth and remove any plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on the teeth. When plaque is soft, it can be removed by brushing and flossing. However, when plaque builds up and hardens, it turns into tartar, which can be removed only with professional dental tools.
The more tartar builds up on the teeth and gums, the more time the dental professional will need to remove it. Taking good care of teeth and gums at home can help prevent tartar buildup and make the process of a professional dental cleaning much easier.
Gum disease and tooth decay can cause areas of sensitivity in the mouth. If the patient has any tooth or gum sensitivity, the dental professional will take additional care around those areas to prevent any pain. Light sedation may also be available to help put patients at ease if their dental sensitivity is severe.
After the teeth have been cleaned, the dental professional will use a high-powered toothbrush to polish them. Dental cleanings use a special type of toothpaste with a slightly gritty texture that helps scrub the teeth.
After polishing the teeth, the dental professional will floss them to remove any leftover plaque or toothpaste. Flossing the teeth also helps the dental professional identify any trouble spots where the gums might bleed.
Fluoride Treatment
Dental cleanings often include a special fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. It is found in most brands of toothpaste and mouthwash. The fluoride treatment used in dental offices is more concentrated than anything available commercially. It may come in the form of a rinse, foam, or gel. The dental professional may ask that eating and drinking be avoided for 30 minutes after the treatment so the fluoride can be fully absorbed into the teeth.
“Dental cleanings use a special type of toothpaste with a slightly gritty texture that helps scrub the teeth.”
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Dental Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning
Regular dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth. If too much bacteria is present, the dentist may not be able to perform a regular cleaning. Performing a dental cleaning when a patient has gum disease can release too much bacteria into the bloodstream, leading to other health problems.
In this case, the dentist may recommend a deep cleaning. A deep cleaning removes bacteria around the roots of the teeth and the pockets between the teeth and gums. Since deep cleanings are more involved, they often target one section of the mouth at a time.
“A deep cleaning removes bacteria from around the roots of the teeth and the pockets in between teeth and gums.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. Why are dental cleanings important?
Q. How can a dentist handle cleaning around sensitive teeth?
Q. What is the power of dentist-provided fluoride?
Q. What is the difference between a dental cleaning and a deep cleaning?
Q. What are some strategies for preventing dental emergencies?
People Also Ask
Q. What should be included in an at home oral health routine?
Q. What is a health savings account?
Q. What are dental sealants and tooth whitening treatments?
Preventing Dental Emergencies
It may be tempting to skip regular dental cleanings, especially for those who are accustomed to maintaining good oral hygiene habits at home. However, regular dental cleanings do more than simply clean the teeth. They allow the dentist to identify minor tooth issues before they turn into bigger problems. Dental problems such as tooth decay or cracked teeth can turn into dental emergencies if not properly treated.
“Dental problems such as tooth decay or cracked teeth can turn into dental emergencies if not properly treated.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often should I have my teeth cleaned?
A. The American Dental Association recommends that children and adults have their teeth professionally cleaned every six months. If you have dental insurance, these cleanings are likely covered at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Q. Do I still have to see a dentist if I don't have any symptoms?
A. You should have a dental cleaning twice a year even if you do not have any symptoms. Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, which helps prevent tooth decay. Neglecting dental cleanings can lead to serious dental issues.
Q. What is the difference between a dental cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A. If you have a lot of tartar buildup, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning. A deep cleaning is a more thorough procedure designed to remove bacteria from the mouth. A deep cleaning may involve two procedures: scaling and root planing. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line, while root planing smooths rough spots on the roots of the teeth to reduce bacteria and help teeth reattach to the gums. If your dentist recommends a deep cleaning for you, they may ask you to reschedule for a later date, as deep cleanings are more involved and take longer. They may also require more than one appointment to complete.
Q. What can I do to take care of my teeth at home?
A. Using fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. You may want to brush your teeth more often if you eat or drink anything sugary. Floss once a day to remove food particles and bacteria from in between teeth and around the gums.
Q. Are deep cleanings really necessary?
A. Yes. Deep cleanings are particularly necessary for patients with periodontal disease, which leads to the loss of bone and gum attachment to the teeth. Periodontal disease is diagnosed via dental X-rays and gum measurements greater than 4mm.
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Dental Terminology
Prevent Dental Emergencies
These cleanings can help prevent expensive dental emergencies and other common oral health concerns, such as cavities. Follow the recommended at-home routine and schedule cleanings every six months. Scheduling your routine dental cleaning is as easy as calling our team in Federal Way, so call us at (253) 336-0023 today.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business and website security
- Smile Center Dental Care was established in 2005.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: King County and Pierce County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, Des Moines, Tacoma, Fife, Milton, Edgewood, SeaTac, and Algona
- National Provider Identifier Database (1770035289). View NPI Registry Information
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