Dental Cleanings

Dental cleanings are one of the most important and beneficial services offered here at Riverside Dental Care. Some patients opt to schedule their cleaning with their twice-yearly dental exam, but you can also request to come in for a cleaning only.

DENTAL CLEANING PROCESS STEPS

• Gum disease screening. The hygienist will check your gums looking for any red, puffy or inflamed areas that can signify gingivitis.
• Oral cancer screening. We will looks for any suspicious spots or lesions.
• Plaque and tartar removal with professional grade instruments including scalers (Hint: if you notice the hygienist scraping plaque off an area for a particularly long time, spend more time cleaning that area in the future!)
• Flossing.
• Brushing with a polishing toothpaste and a high-powered electric toothbrush or polishing cup. This light abrasion removes tiny particles of debri.
• Mouthwash rinse.

OPTIONAL DENTAL CLEANING SERVICES

• Fluoride treatment.
• Sealant application.

BENEFITS OF DENTAL CLEANING

Dental cleanings are similar to spring cleaning your home. It’s a deep cleaning that reaches every nook and cranny. No matter how well you clean your teeth on your own, there are certain parts of your mouth that can only been seen and reached by someone else — which is where we come in.

Dental cleanings also help you fight cavities. Removing plaque and tartar stops the development of cavities and decay. While the flossing you receive at our office isn’t enough to halt gum disease entirely, our hygienists can instruct you on proper techniques and let you know when you need to step it up to stop the progression of gum disease.

Dental cleanings can even brighten your smile! While it may not be as dramatic as a full-on whitening treatment, cleanings can remove minor stains from your teeth and help you walk out of our office with a little extra confidence.

Regular cleanings can also save you money, pain and time in the long run. The more preventative care you invest in, the less likely you are to develop serious dental problems like cavities, infection and tooth loss later on down the road. It’s much easier to stop in for a cleaning twice a year than it is to undergo multiple treatments and procedures to repair and restore diseased and damaged teeth.

ARE DENTAL CLEANINGS PAINFUL?

For many of our patients, a dental cleaning is not painful and you can simply lay back and relax while your teeth get a spa-grade treatment. If your dental hygiene habits are lacking, the cleaning might be a bit uncomfortable at times. Some patients who don’t floss regularly may find that their gums bleed a little after a cleaning. The best way to prevent this is by flossing regularly at home which toughens up your gums.

Can’t remember the last time you had a cleaning? Call our office today and get an appointment ASAP. Your teeth will thank you.