Teeth Cleaning Services
We’re happy to take new dental patients, so if you’re looking for a local dentist, or if it’s just been a while since your last tooth cleaning, give us a call at (207) 647-8052.
What is a teeth cleaning?
A teeth cleaning is when a dentist or dental hygienist uses a few different tools to remove plaque (a soft, sticky film infested with bacteria) and tartar (a harder substance also called calculus) from your teeth.
Why get a teeth cleaning twice a year?
Teeth cleaning helps keep teeth bacteria-free. Plaque and tartar are created as a byproduct of the saliva in your mouth, but if these substances accumulate on teeth, it creates a place for bacteria to thrive next to the gums. The purpose of the teeth cleaning is to leave teeth surfaces clean and smooth so that bacteria is less likely to stick. A cleaning also gives you a better chance of keeping teeth clean when you brush and floss at home.
What does a teeth cleaning with Bridgton Dental Associates look like?
We’ll use an ultrasonic instrument to loosen pieces of tartar and clean out other debris in the teeth.
Once the teeth are clean and smooth, the final step is polishing. This is usually done with slow-speed device with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end. The toothpaste is scooped into the cup and spread on the teeth to make them shiny and smooth.
In the next step, the dentist or hygienist will use finer hand tools called scalers and curettes to remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. These teeth-cleaning tools are curved to match tooth shapes.
When should I get my teeth cleaned?
Most insurances cover two teeth cleanings a year, but at Bridgton Dental Associates, a professional teeth cleaning is a part of a our regular dental exam.
What tools are involved with a tooth cleaning?
The first tool commonly used in a tooth cleaning is an ultrasonic instrument that uses vibrations to loosen larger pieces of tartar. It sprays a mist of water to wash away debris and keep the area at a proper temperature. The ultrasonic instrument tips are curved and rounded and are always kept in motion around the teeth. They are not sharp and aren’t meant to cut into teeth. As always, you can let us know if the sensations are uncomfortable and we can adjust the settings on the device.
Will my mouth become irritated from a tooth cleaning?
If you have a lot of bacteria built up in your mouth, teeth cleaning and scaling can sometimes irritate your gums and cause bleeding. Your gums might be sensitive for a day or two after a cleaning. Let us know if the cleaning process causes discomfort because there are steps we can take to make the experience better.