Dental chair and equipment at a San Marcos dentist office.

What to Expect During a Teeth Cleaning
At Your San Marcos Dentist

Regular visits to your dentist are one of the best ways to prevent major dental health issues. However, only making time for an annual visit to your dentist may not be enough. While brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing is a huge part of healthy oral care, you cannot replace the quality of a professional teeth cleaning and examination. If you have ever wondered what the difference is between brushing your teeth at home and having your teeth cleaned by a trained dental hygienist, consider the following.

Examination

Unless you have a trained eye with experience in catching early signs of gum disease, you really can’t replace the first step of a teeth cleaning on your own. Using various tools and mirrors, your dentist will be able to examine the state of your teeth and gums and catch any problem areas that you might have. Periodic exams may include x-rays of your mouth and jaw region, which can also help view potential issues that you wouldn’t be able to see yourself. Catching the early signs of gingivitis or other problems could end up saving you a lot of pain and money for treatment down the road.

Removing Calculus

When you brush your teeth at home, the main goal is to clean off any plaque that has gathered on your teeth. The same goes for flossing. However, plaque that gets left behind begins to harden and creates dental calculus. Calculus can’t be removed by brushing at home, so a hygienist will use special tools to remove any evidence of it off of your teeth, even in those hard to reach places like below the gumline! This not only helps your teeth appear whiter, but it also allows brushing at home to more effectively clean your teeth.

Thorough Cleaning

After removing any calculus, your dental hygienist will then use a high powered electric brush to thoroughly clean each individual tooth and remove any leftover calculus residue. The toothpaste that is often used has a slightly gritty consistency, which allows for a gentle scrub and polish of your teeth.

Professional Flossing

While daily flossing is an important step in your at-home oral care and plaque buildup prevention, many Americans don’t do so consistently, making it even more important to have a dental hygienist clean your teeth. Even if you do floss regularly, having it done by a professional takes your oral health to the next level.

Fluoride Treatment

The use of fluoride in toothpaste and community water has reduced cavities and gum disease drastically over the last 60 years. Working like a set of armor, fluoride bonds to your enamel, protecting your teeth from bacteria. Fluoride treatment by a dental hygienist helps give your oral health that extra defense and plays a big part in preventing decay.

Professional Teeth Cleaning in San Marcos

While doing your part to take care of your teeth and gums is important, you can’t replace a quality, professional cleaning. If you haven’t had your teeth cleaned lately, make an appointment! You can sit back, relax, and let a professional dental hygienist do the heavy lifting in making sure your teeth and gums get the best care possible. We can help ensure your teeth are clean, and we offer teeth whitening in San Marcos TX to help your smile look its best! If you’re looking for a San Marcos dentist office, call Carothers Family Dental at 512-396-4288 to learn more today.

,