Routine Dental Checkups To Remove Plaque and Tartar

A dental checkup is a major part of your dental health. Seeing your dentist regularly can prevent serious dental issues. It can also remove plaque and tartar. Knowing what happens during the treatment can help prepare you for your next appointment. Here are the details about how each dental checkup removes tartar and plaque.

A physical dental exam

The dental checkup will begin with a physical assessment of the mouth. A small mirror will help the dentist to check around the gums and teeth for signs of possible issues. Searching for plaque and tartar deposits will determine where the scaler will focus. Using a sulcus will tell the dentist how deep the gum pockets are. Deep sulci means that the plaque and tartar have already fit underneath the gums. Periodontal disease may already be present.

Removing tartar and plaque

The process uses a small mirror to guide the dentist in operating a scaler. This instrument can remove the plaque and tartar along the gumline and between the teeth. The patient will hear a scraping sound, which is normal. The scaler will run during the dental checkup if there is tartar to remove. At home, the patient can stop plaque from hardening into tartar by flossing and brushing more frequently.

Cleaning with gritty toothpaste

Stripping the teeth of plaque and tartar frees the teeth of bacteria. During the dental checkup, the dentist will use a powerful electric brush to remove any remaining plaque and tartar. This instrument will deep clean the teeth using a gritty toothpaste. The gritty consistency scrubs the teeth. Studies show that this twice-a-year thorough cleaning is healthy for the enamel.

Professional flossing and rinsing

This form of flossing during a dental checkup cleans between teeth. The process will remove excess toothpaste and plaque. Professional flossing also spots gum or tooth issues, such as gum bleeding. The dentist can share some valuable tips on how to floss at home to prevent this type of issue. Rinsing out with a fluoride mouthwash removes any debris and leave a layer of protection in the mouth.

Scraping

Getting rid of tartar will involve using a specific dental tool. This small tool has a pointed end that can be curved. It allows the dentist to clean around the curved dental surfaces. The patient will hear some grinding or scraping once the tool meets tartar deposits. There might be some bleeding or sensitivity if the tartar deposits are close to the gumline. These are normal reactions to removing dental calculus in difficult-to-reach areas.

Root scaling

Tartar deposits can extend below the gum surface if the individual does not brush often. This development also happens when the individual does not keep regular dental checkup appointments. Removing dental calculus can prevent infection in the soft tissues or teeth. This process is called root scaling. Numbing the area is necessary to relieve the discomfort of cleaning around the dental roots.