Teeth Cleaning
Chicago, IL
Dental Cleanings provided by Our Team of Dental Experts
in Chicago, IL at East Village Dental Centre
Hearing the term “teeth cleaning” may not induce the best feelings among people. For the most part, they associate it with jaw discomfort, and strange noises of dental instruments.
However, at East Village Dental Centre, Our doctors and our doctors, we believe in keeping teeth cleanings painless and simple. Our professionals also keep you updated about what's going on while you undergo the process.
This way, you can keep any stress or nervousness at bay and await the amazing results at the end of your appointment.
What is a Teeth Cleaning?
A typical teeth cleaning session involves a dentist removing tartar and plaque accumulated on the teeth to save them from gum disease and cavities. Even though teeth cleaning can be performed at home, it won’t be as thorough and deep as a professional performing it.
Tartar and plaque tend to stick to the enamel surface despite regular flossing and brushing. In the long run, this could result in serious dental problems.
Additionally, your dentist may also perform fluoride treatments, denture cleaning, and teeth polishing if required. They may also evaluate your swallowing, chewing, and biting patterns to determine if there's any tooth decay. Based on the patient's needs, these sessions may also be inclusive of nutrition counseling.
How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
The duration of a dental teeth cleaning can vary depending on the state of your oral health. For clean and healthy teeth, a session shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes. However, if your oral health isn’t up to the mark, removing the tartar buildup can take more time.
How Long After a Dental Cleaning Can I Eat?
It can be challenging to determine how long one should wait once they’re done with a dental cleaning session. Some people have sensitive gums that bleed easily. There may also be additional issues that need addressing during the session. Depending on the intensity of the session, your dentist will advise when and what to eat.
Furthermore, you also want to avoid sugary drinks and acidic food items throughout the day. Your teeth and gums need some time to relax following a cleaning session. Usually, you may be allowed to eat immediately after your appointment if there is no fluoride treatment involved. Regardless, you must avoid sticky food items at all costs.
How Often Should I Schedule a Teeth Cleaning?
The number of teeth cleaning sessions you need depends on your oral needs. Every patient is different. Some are prone to having dental issues shortly after, which means they might have to visit the clinic again.
Other patients may not experience anything at all, which means they won’t need teeth cleaning sessions frequently. However, the rule of thumb is to have a dental cleaning every six months.
Again, how often you require teeth cleaning in a year can vary significantly. Hence, you want to stick to your dentist’s advice.
Nonetheless, between these sessions, make sure to keep your mouth healthy by following a good oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth thoroughly and use toothpaste with fluoride twice a day. You can also limit the flossing to just once a day as long as you keep bad bacteria at bay through quality mouthwash.
Can I Brush After a Dental Cleaning?
Brushing before a dental cleaning session is highly recommended as it makes the process a bit easier to carry out. Brushing helps remove bacteria and bits of food from your teeth, facilitating the professional cleaning process better.
Once the cleaning session is over, you may want to wait for a few hours before brushing your teeth again. This is because you must let your teeth recover from the stress they just underwent. It isn’t wise to expose them to another cleaning session at home right after a professional one.
When it is time to clean your teeth, you want to remain as gentle as possible. Being too rough or hard on them can lead to bleeding. When it comes to flossing, you want to wait for a day before doing it. Excessive or hard flossing can also trigger bleeding.
Does a Dental Cleaning Hurt?
There are a number of ways your dentist can use to make the process as painless as possible. While discomfort isn’t a theme of a cleaning session, sometimes patients can experience it due to complicating factors.
Some people have tooth decay, gum inflammation, and other oral disease symptoms, which can lead to elevated sensitivity. Furthermore, if you wait too long in between sessions, your debris will have more time to build up. This means your gums get even more sensitive to the touch, and you have a higher chance of undergoing pain during the session as a result.
Fortunately, there are some ways to reduce pain. For one, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. You can also opt for a desensitizing toothpaste instead of your regular one. Practice excellent dental care to avoid instances of gum recession and avoid over-brushing at all costs. Following the right brushing technique is also important, as it leads to a lower risk of sensitivity.
All in all, your pain and discomfort have more to do with your gum sensitivity than it is about the teeth cleaning session.
FAQs
What is a professional teeth cleaning?
A professional teeth cleaning is a dental procedure performed by a dental hygienist or dentist to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. It helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
Why is regular teeth cleaning important?
Regular teeth cleaning is crucial for maintaining good oral health. It helps remove plaque and tartar buildup that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone, reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
How often should I get my teeth professionally cleaned?
Most dental professionals recommend getting your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. However, depending on your oral health, your dentist may suggest more frequent cleanings.
What can I expect during a teeth cleaning appointment?
During a teeth cleaning appointment, the dental hygienist will use specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, clean and polish your teeth, and apply fluoride if needed. The dentist will also examine your mouth for any signs of dental issues.
Is teeth cleaning painful?
Teeth cleaning is generally not painful. However, if you have sensitive teeth or gums, you might experience some discomfort. Communicate with your dental hygienist, and they can take steps to make you more comfortable.
How can I maintain clean teeth between dental visits?
To maintain clean teeth between dental visits, brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, use an antiseptic mouthwash, and avoid sugary foods and drinks. Regular dental check-ups are also essential.
Can teeth cleaning remove stains?
Professional teeth cleaning can remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea, tobacco, and certain foods. For deeper stains, your dentist may recommend additional treatments like teeth whitening.
What are the risks of not getting regular teeth cleanings?
Not getting regular teeth cleanings can lead to a buildup of plaque and tartar, increasing the risk of cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral health issues. It can also contribute to more severe health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
Schedule Your Teeth Cleaning Today!
Frequent teeth cleaning sessions should be a vital part of your routine. They prevent tartar buildup and also help you keep several dental problems at bay.
Our professionals at East Village Dental Centre encourage you to contact us at 773-341-9325 today to schedule your next Chicago dental cleaning. |
