Tag Archives: routine dental visit

concept of how long should dental cleanings take

How Long Should Dental Cleanings Take?

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People of all ages know about the importance of annual dental cleanings. In fact, most dentists recommend that folks get their teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Patients who visit their trusted dentist in downtown Los Angeles want to know more about how this process works and how much time it usually takes from start to finish.

How Long Should Dental Cleanings Take?

If you are like one of our excellent patients and have the question, “How long should dental cleanings take?”, this article is for you. Keep reading to learn more about the dental cleaning process and find out what’s involved so you can schedule your oral health checkup accordingly.

How Dental Cleanings Work

Depending on the results of your exam, your dentist should typically recommend a dental cleaning that works in a series of steps. These steps can be performed fairly quickly, giving you a smooth and easy process.

Step 1: Screening and Scaling

At the beginning of your dental cleaning, your dentist will first want to remove a layer of dirt and grime that is stuck between your gums and your teeth. They will use a process known as scaling, which uses a small tool to remove this dirt. While this part of cleaning doesn’t take long, the dentist may pause from time to time to ensure you are comfortable.

Step 2: Polishing

After the dirt has been cleaned from your teeth, your dentist will move on to the polishing phase, which is often one of the more enjoyable parts of the dental cleaning process. We can use a polishing paste that comes in a number of different flavors. Your dentist will polish each tooth individually to restore its bright shine. This will also break up plaque and tartar that might have been building up on your teeth over time.

Step 3: Flossing and Brushing

Your dentist will brush and floss your teeth for you. Then we show you the best way to take care of your teeth at home. Using dental-grade floss, they will remove dust and dirt. These might have shown up in between your teeth from the food you eat. If you have any signs of infection or decay, your dentist may go on to recommend that you get a cavity filling. This can typically happen in a separate session.

All that’s left is to rinse out your mouth and your teeth. Your dentist may give you a mouthwash with a pleasing taste to help you feel better after the cleaning process. If you have any more questions about your dental healthcare at this time, please reach out to your trusted dental specialist right away.

Average Treatment Times

Depending on your individual dental needs, your cleaning can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. Your dental team will want to discuss the steps involved in a dental cleaning. This helps ensure that you end up prepared for this type of procedure. It remains a smooth and easy experience that should not cause lingering discomfort when the procedure wraps up. If you can schedule a little bit of time during your day for this important treatment, you should try to make it work for you ASAP.

Learn More About Dental Cleanings Today

At Samaritan Dental Arts, we invest in only the best for your overall health and well-being. Get in touch with our experts to learn more about how you can make the most out of top-notch teeth cleaning in downtown Los Angeles. We offer personalized treatments that center on your individual needs, from basic oral health checkups to individualized plans of care. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our friendly dental services!

concept of what is dental plaque and why remove it

What is Dental Plaque and Why Remove It?

Preventive Dentistry, ,

Dental plaque is a sticky, filmy substance that forms on your teeth’s surface after you eat. When the bacteria naturally found in your mouth mixes with sugars and starches from unhealthy foods, dental plaque forms. If you don’t remove plaque promptly, tartar can harden and turn into tartar. This can lead to serious conditions such as gum disease or tooth loss.

What is Dental Plaque and Why Remove It?

Your local, top-rated dentist in DTLA wants to answer the question, “What is dental plaque and why remove it?” Below, we will teach you about the main causes of plaque and how to keep it away from your teeth with regular dental cleanings. You can prevent plaque buildup and tartar from causing major dental restoration needs, which are costly to both your wallet and your health.

What is Dental Plaque?

There are naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth that can help you clean up after eating. These ingredients can stick to your teeth if you eat sugary or starchy foods. Acid can be released when bacteria reacts with the leftover food. This creates plaque, a sticky and sticky substance that sticks to your teeth.

Signs and Symptoms of Plaque

It is easy to determine if your teeth are stained. Take a look at how they feel. Are your teeth feeling swollen or irritated when you wake up each morning? Plaque buildup could be the reason. Bad breath or tender gums may be signs of a buildup.

Brush your teeth immediately if you find plaque on your teeth. This will help remove plaque before it becomes tartar. A dentist may be required to remove tartar from your teeth if it forms, although tartar is incredibly hard and sticky. Special tools and materials may be necessary to fully remove the tartar that has built up.

Why Remove Plaque Right Away

You could end up with more serious problems if you don’t remove plaque promptly. A poor oral hygiene can cause gum disease or other irreversible conditions. Plaque can lead to many complications, including:

  • Tooth loss
  • Infection/abscess
  • Gingivitis
  • Tooth decay
  • Cavities
  • Gum disease

An overabundance in plaque or tartar is easy to identify. To determine the extent of plaque buildup on your teeth, your dentist will use x-rays and dental tools during an assessment. A follow-up appointment may be necessary to treat plaque through a number of different procedures, including root scaling and deep cleaning.

How to Prevent and Treat Plaque

It is possible to remove plaque from your teeth without causing tartar. It is difficult to remove tartar once it has formed. These are the top ways to remove tartar and prevent it from getting worse.

  • Get fluoride toothpaste. Toothpaste containing tartar-controlling fluoride may help to reduce plaque buildup.
  • Regularly floss and brush your teeth. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss once a day. You should floss once a day and brush your teeth twice a day to remove plaque from between them.
  • Pay attention to what you eat. It doesn’t mean you have to follow a strict diet. However, it is important to not eat too many sugary or starchy foods on a daily basis.

At Samaritan Dental Arts, we offer a number of proactive plaque and tartar treatment options to help you treat your dental maladies right away. When it comes to plaque, it is best to get it treated as quickly as you can.

Advanced Plaque Removal Options ASAP

Contact our friendly team today if you have concerns about tartar buildup on your teeth or if you would like to schedule a semi-annual tooth cleaning. It is important to get routine dental exams in DTLA in order to prevent plaque and tartar from gaining control. Get in touch with us today to find out what a routine cleaning can do for you!