Providing Complete Dental Cleaning Services in Skagit County
Our Skagit County dental clinic is proud to provide the highest quality of care to our dental clients. We take great pride in being able to provide a warm and comfortable atmosphere to help our clients relax when they come to us for a dental check-up and cleaning. Dental cleanings are an important part of maintaining good oral health. Wondering what’s involved in a dental cleaning at Yeates Family Dental? We’ve put together some information to help you understand the processes involved and why it’s so important to see us to get your teeth cleaned.
What’s Involved in a Typical Dental Cleaning?
For most clients, a typical dental cleaning will last between 30 to 45 minutes and will consist of several parts. For clients who have not been to see a dentist in quite some time, additional time may be needed to perform the cleaning to ensure they get a thorough cleaning. Dental cleanings are usually performed by a dental hygienist and are done before seeing Dr. Yeates during a regular check-up. X-rays may be taken before or after the cleaning, and if the dentist wants more taken to confirm possible issues. There are several phases of a dental cleaning:
Inspection: this phase is quick and easy and involves looking in your mouth to look for any obvious signs of decay or other problems that might be obvious.
Scaling: this is the “cleaning” part that most people think about. This phase involves using special tools to scrape away plaque and tartar that has attached itself to your teeth. Tartar is actually plaque that was not removed and has hardened into the thick, sticky substance we know as tartar. It can vary in color, and sometimes you might even see people with yellow on their teeth around their gums and between their teeth. That’s tartar. Tartar has to be scraped away to be removed; it cannot be brushed away at home.
Buffing/Brushing: After the tartar has been removed, your teeth will be buffed with an abrasive solution to remove any excess tartar that has come loose, and it will leave your whole mouth feeling clean and fresh. This is the phase that most people equate with that “just left the dentist clean” feeling they know.
Fluoride Rinse: depending on your age, health, and dental history, you may be offered a fluoride rinse to complete the cleaning process. This is usually offered to children who are still growing to provide much-needed fluoride for tooth remineralization, which keeps teeth healthy.
Following your cleaning, Dr. Yeates will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and mouth, review any x-rays that have been taken, and provide you with a report on your oral health. At this point, a new appointment will be made for a future cleaning, or you’ll discuss options for treating any dental issues that have been discovered during the cleaning and examination.
Why are Dental Cleanings so Important?
Did you know that your oral health can have a lasting impact on your general health? There have been many scientific studies that link oral health to cardiovascular health, digestive health, the circulatory system and more. While many people think of their mouth as being separate from the rest of their bodies, the state of one’s teeth can greatly impact the rest of their life. Having a clean mouth is about more than having a nice smile. It’s about keeping you healthy. There are many reasons you should consider visiting our Skagit County dental clinic to have your teeth professionally cleaned, including:
- preventing tooth decay and remove tartar
- identifying any existing tooth decay and make a plan for treatment
- establishing a dental record for yourself and your family
- preventing unnecessary costs associated with treatments that could have been prevented
- saving teeth from having to be removed due to decay or damage
- understanding your oral health and health in general
- learning about ways to care for your teeth beyond a professional dental cleaning
- asking questions or bring up concerns related to your oral health
- having early diagnoses of serious conditions
- Establishing a dental care routine
What Can Tartar Do to Your Teeth?
One of the main reasons to come to Yeates Family Dental is to have regular check-ups and dental cleanings. This helps to remove tartar that has built up over time. Tartar may not seem like a big deal, but it is the leading cause of tooth decay. Plaque develops on our teeth naturally because of the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. It also occurs naturally because of bacteria that is alive in our mouths. When that plaque is not removed on a regular basis, through brushing and flossing, and regular visits to your dentist, it turns to tartar, which can only be removed through scaling. If left untreated, tartar can lead to gum disease, periodontal disease, infection, swollen gums, bleeding, bone loss and even tooth loss.
Book an Appointment
Contact Yeates Family Dental to book an appointment for your dental cleaning today. The sooner you make an appointment, the sooner you can enjoy cleaner and healthier teeth.