How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
It is recommended that all American adults visit the dentist for a professional dental cleaning every 6 months. Professional cleanings are more important than you may think. Cleanings are essential to preventing cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. For some, the idea of visiting the dentist every 6 months is anxiety producing. If you are one of these individuals, you should rest assured knowing that a routine visit usually takes about an hour start to finish. A regular visit usually includes a comprehensive oral exam, an evaluation of oral hygiene habits, and a professional dental cleaning. Below is more information on the professional dental cleaning portion of the visit and what to expect.
Steps of a regular dental cleaning
After completing the oral exam, the dentist or the licensed dental hygienist will prepare you for the dental cleaning. They will make sure you are comfortable and apply a paper bib or paper towel to cover your shirt. If you are uncomfortable at any point you should let them know and they will give you a moment to readjust and relax. A regular dental cleaning is fairly simple and involves the following steps:
- Scaling: The first step of every dental cleaning is scaling. Scaling is the process of removing debris and built up plaque from the gum line and between your teeth. This step is usually performed with an automatic ultrasonic scaler or a thin metal hand scaler. The handheld ultrasonic scaler uses low frequency vibrations and air pressure to remove plaque buildup and water to rinse it away. For some, the scaling process can be a little uncomfortable, especially if they have sensitive teeth. Throughout the scaling, the dental professional will pause and give you time to take a break and make sure you are comfortable.
- Polishing: After the debris and plaque have been removed the teeth are ready to be polished. A polishing paste is applied to each tooth individually with an automatic handheld device. The device uses a small rotating head to buff the teeth and makes them shiny.
- Flossing: Now all that is left is to do a final floss between teeth. You may be surprised by how quick the dental professional is at flossing your teeth. After a quick floss, you will rinse and be done!
How long does a dental cleaning take?
On average, the professional cleaning portion of the dental checkup will take between 30 minutes and an hour. The length of the cleaning really depends on the health of the teeth and the amount of plaque buildup that needs to be removed. On average, an entire routine appointment usually takes an hour to 90 minutes. There is usually no need to rush with the appointment and the dentist should move at a pace that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. It is important that if you feel uncomfortable throughout the process that you let your dentist know and they will take breaks. For most, the routine checkup and cleaning process is painless, and patients leave feeling satisfied.
More on Dental Cleaning & Exams : What is Teeth Scaling?