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Last Updated on February 26, 2023
Dental Cleaning Procedure: Explained

Plaque remover and Tartar remover; Best Home Remedies
We all heard that we supposedly need to go to the dentist twice per year for a teeth cleaning process but is it true? Is it that important or is it some kind of marketing scam developed by dentists around the globe to make you spend money?
Why going to the dentist? Can’t I do everything at home?
Oral health is extremely important and it is also one of the most underrated aspects of a person’s overall health. A lot of people are simply ignoring the condition of their gums and teeth and this could potentially lead to serious issues in the future. Keep in mind daily brushing and flossing can reduce the tartar buildup as well, also can reduce the chance of tooth decay.
There is a HUGE difference between a cleaning made by a professional and just brushing your teeth at home. If you don’t go to a professional to do the cleaning, tartar, and plaque (read our in-depth article on it) could build up, affect your gums and bone, discolor your teeth and even worse, potentially lead to decay or tooth loss!!
When you take all these risks into considerations, going to the dentist twice a year doesn’t sound that bad, doesn’t it? Professional teeth cleaning will make sure to get all the debris off your teeth.
Dental Cleaning Procedure Explained.
Of course length of the cleaning, it will depend on the overall condition of your teeth (some dentist even charge by the hour). In most cases, it lasts between 30 minutes to one hour.
Here are the major steps when it comes to teeth cleaning process:
The initial Examination.
This is the step where a dental hygienist will examine your mouth in order to get an idea of the work that needs to be done.
The dental hygienist will use a mirror to look around your teeth and gums for signs of any debris, inflammation, or any other oral health concerns that would need to be addressed.
The Removal Of Debris Around Your Gum Line.
Most likely you will have plaque and tartar and they will remove it with their tool called the Scaler. Most of the time, plaque and tartar are located near your gum and between your teeth.
They will then proceed to remove all of this. You will hear a scraping sound and this is normal.
Some people really hate that moment when the dentist is scrapping everything in their mouth…In order to minimize the work the dentist will have to do (and save money too, if they charge by the hour) is the simple brush and floss every day!
We wrote an in-depth article on tartare and plaque HERE.
Time To Clean With A Toothpaste.
After they removed all the plaque and tartar they will proceed to brush your teeth using an electric toothbrush. The purpose of this is to give your teeth a deep clean and you will hear a grinding noise against your teeth. They use a particular toothpaste they will most likely feel gritty because it is made with small particles in order to deeply scrub your teeth.
Flossing Time.
They will then proceed to floss your teeth. When someone is doing it for you it is so much better…They are able to really go deep between your teeth and remove everything. It will also remove any plaque and toothpaste from the last step.
Rinsing Time.
The next step is to simply rinse your mouth to get rid of everything. They usually give you a liquid with fluoride in it.
Also Read: How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
The Fluoride Treatment.
This is the final step. They will place a gel-covered mouthpiece over your teeth and make you wait for a few minutes. The purpose of this procedure is to help deter cavities in the future (a few months).
Not all dentists will do the last step.
There you go, we explained to you all the steps when it comes to a teeth cleaning. They will first scrape off the plaque and tartar, then brush your teeth, and finally, they will give you fluoride treatment.
If you want to do this at home we recommend you to check this amazing fluoride toothpaste.