What is a Dental Cleaning?
Even if you have a perfect oral hygiene routine at home, it is still important to schedule a professional cleaning at Chang & Rothkopf Dental twice each year. Using state-of-the-art tools, a bi-annual professional cleaning eliminates plaque and tartar while polishing the enamel for a brighter, healthier smile. During your treatment, you can ask for tips on caring for your teeth at home and learn if any areas need more care. A dental cleaning will allow our staff to check for any problem areas in your mouth that might require care. Receiving this treatment is a crucial step in maintaining your dental health, so make an appointment at our Washington, D.C. location.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Cleanings?
Dental cleanings in Washington, D.C. at Chang & Rothkopf Dental help keep your smile healthy, beautiful, and strong with several great benefits, like:
- Removes stuck-on tartar and plaque
- Examines your teeth for cavities and other issues
- Checks the health of your gums
- Cleans and brightens the teeth
- Creates fresher breath
- Helps prolong the healthy life of your teeth
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Is a dental Cleaning Right for Me?
The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests patients schedule a professional cleaning twice per year. Infants should have a dental exam before they turn one, and following that, our staff will help you decide when your child is ready for their next appointment. A professional dental cleaning can help you avoid cavities since built-up plaque, the biggest cause of tooth decay is removed. A dental cleaning will also address stains and tartar from the enamel. If you’d like to brighten your smile, freshen your breath, improve your overall health, and save money in the long run, schedule a professional cleaning for your whole family at Chang & Rothkopf Dental.
How is a Dental Cleaning Performed?
A professional cleaning at CK Dental & Associates begins by addressing any plaque and tartar buildup on your enamel, which is challenging to treat on your own with simple brushing and flossing. Our state-of-the-art tools are used to scale this buildup without harming the teeth or surrounding tissues. A special device with ultrasonic technology manages more prominent areas of tartar and plaque with high-speed vibrations and a lubricating mist. Next, a fine handheld instrument such as a scaler can remove the remaining pieces. Once your teeth have been cleaned, your enamel will be polished to remove stains. If needed or requested, a professional fluoride treatment will be completed after your cleaning.
What should I expect after?
A professional cleaning will start by addressing the plaque and tartar that have built up on your enamel, which is challenging to remove on your own no matter how often you brush and floss. Professional tools are used to scale buildup without harming the tooth. To begin, a device with ultrasonic technology breaks up bigger chunks of plaque and tartar with a lubricating mist and high-speed vibrations. Then, handheld tools like a scaler or curette will remove any remaining buildup. Each tooth will be individually scaled to get all the buildup. After your teeth have been cleaned, the enamel will be polished to strengthen the enamel and remove stains. If requested or needed, a fluoride treatment will be done following your cleaning.
Dental Cleaning FAQ
How can I be prepared for my dental cleaning?
We recommend brushing and flossing before your appointment, even if we’re cleaning your teeth during your visit to Chang & Rothkopf Dental. You should arrive early to our Washington, D.C. facility if you are a new patient who needs to fill out paperwork or if you have to update your insurance information. If you are experiencing any oral pain, don’t forget to tell your dental hygenist at the beginning of the appointment.
What does the dentist do for heavy dental plaque removal?
Dr. Chang, Dr. Rothkopf, or a skilled member of their team will gently but effectively get rid of plaque with a metal scaler. With this hooked tool, they are able to remove plaque in-between teeth, under the gum line, and in hard-to-reach places on your teeth. In some cases, a deep cleaning is necessary to remove years of buildup.
Do I need to wait to eat or drink anything after a dental cleaning?
It is recommended that you wait 30 minutes after the cleaning to consume cold beverages or soft or cold foods and four hours to have hot food and drinks. Hot foods and beverages may dissolve fluoride if it hasn’t finished setting yet. Both hot and cold foods and drinks could cause pain or discomfort to sensitive teeth and gums following the cleaning.
Freshen Up Your Smile
Help keep your teeth healthy with professional dental cleanings two times a year at Chang & Rothkopf Dental in Washington, D.C.. our dentists help patients boost their oral health with cleanings to remove built-up tartar and plaque. As an important part of a preventive dental care plan, a professional cleaning can save you and your family from pain and expensive treatments later. Contact our office to make appointments for yourself and your family.