If you have ever wondered exactly what your dental hygienist is doing during a cleaning — or felt nervous because you were not sure — this breakdown is for you. A professional dental cleaning is a thorough, systematic process designed to protect your oral health.
Step 1: Reviewing Your Health History
Before the cleaning begins, your hygienist will review any updates to your health history. Medications, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors can all affect your oral health and the care you receive. This step ensures your treatment is tailored to your current health status.
Step 2: Scaling
Using specialized instruments (scalers and ultrasonic tools), your hygienist removes plaque and tartar (calculus) from all surfaces of your teeth, including just below the gumline. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing — only professional instruments can eliminate it once it has hardened.
Step 3: Polishing
After scaling, your teeth are polished with a mildly abrasive paste and a rotating brush or cup. This removes surface stains and leaves your teeth feeling smooth and clean. The polishing step also makes it harder for plaque to re-adhere to tooth surfaces.
Step 4: Flossing and Final Rinse
Your hygienist will floss between all your teeth and ask you to rinse. This final step removes any remaining debris and gives your hygienist a chance to evaluate the health of your gums and identify any areas that need attention.