What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?

When was the last time you had a teeth cleaning? We recommend you schedule a teeth cleaning with our office every 6 months so you can maintain a healthy smile. It’s much easier for us to catch oral health issues in their early stages when we see you more frequently. Also, most dental insurance policies will completely cover your teeth cleaning every 6 months.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Waiting Room

When you come to our office, make your way to the front desk so we are aware you are here. Our front desk staff may ask you to reaffirm your phone number and address to ensure that we have your most current contact information on file. We may also ask you if there have been any changes to your medical history since your last visit with us.

While you wait for your appointment, you can pass the time away by reading our selection of magazines. When the time for your appointment arrives, a dental hygienist will call your name and you will follow them to the room where you will receive your dental cleaning.

Initial Oral Examination

Once you are situated, the hygienist will do an initial examination of your teeth and gums to gauge your health. They will use a small mirror to check every nook and cranny of your mouth. If they notice a major issue, they may flag down our dentist to determine if you need additional care.

Plaque and Tartar Removal

Your hygienist will use a dental tool called a scaler to gently remove plaque from the surface of your teeth. This step is important because plaque can develop into tartar, which is harder to remove. Plaque and tartar buildup can cause bad breath, yellow teeth, gum disease, and tooth decay. During your teeth cleaning, we’re able to remove plaque. Plaque and tartar removal is your best defense against future cavities.

Brushing

Your hygienist will ask you what flavor toothpaste you prefer before brushing your teeth. We use a special high-powered toothbrush to remove any remaining debris from when we removed plaque and tartar. You will find that the toothpaste has a gritty texture, which is meant to polish your teeth.

Flossing

Your hygienist will floss between your teeth to ensure that all debris is cleared from your smile. Flossing is also a great habit to get into. We recommend that you floss at least once a day to maintain a healthy mouth.

Rinsing

If you’re at the rinsing phase, you’re almost done with your time in the dentist’s chair! After the hygienist rinses your teeth and gums, just sit tight until our dentist comes to do the final examination of your gums and teeth.

Final Oral Examination from Dentist

Our dentist provides that last stamp of approval before we send you on your way. Dr. Habecker uses his knowledge and experience to check your mouth for any issues. If an oral health concern was discovered during the course of your teeth cleaning, our dentist will further explain the issue and discuss possible solutions.

Other Treatment Options

It’s important to remember that each patient has different oral health needs. For that reason, your appointment with us may be slightly different from what we’ve described here. For example, you may be due for us to take new X-rays so we can detect cavities or impacted wisdom teeth. Our dentist may also do an oral cancer screening or recommend dental sealants to protect back teeth from cavities.

Scheduling Your Next Teeth Cleaning

After your teeth cleaning, you’ll be prompted to schedule your next appointment with us, which will be 6 months out. It is important to schedule your appointment not a day earlier than this 6-month mark so that your insurance company will cover your future dental cleaning.

Payment

At the very end, we will print out your bill and discuss how much your insurance covered and how much you owe us for the teeth cleaning. Most insurance companies recognize the value of preventive care and will cover most, if not all, of the cost of your dental cleaning.

Call Macatawa Smiles Today

Dr. Brenton Habecker and his team offer teeth cleanings and other types of preventive dentistry so you can maintain a healthy smile. To schedule your next appointment with our teeth cleaning dentist in Holland, MI, call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524.

This blog post has been updated.