Dental Cleaning Hackensack, Bergen County, NJ

Treatment is simple, straightforward, painless, and performed by one of our excellent dental hygienists. Many people combine a professional dental cleaning appointment with a dental exam, but you don’t need to see a dentist to benefit from this procedure, as it can be booked as a stand-alone treatment.

Why Is a Dental Hygiene Appointment Important?

Twice daily brushing and flossing once a day will remove most dental plaque from your teeth. Dental plaque is a sticky biofilm that continually builds up over tooth surfaces, and plaque contains harmful bacteria. These bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease, so they must be removed regularly.

Any dental plaque that remains on your tooth surfaces after brushing and flossing will harden into calculus or tartar in just a couple of days. You cannot get rid of tartar by brushing and flossing, as it can only be removed during a professional dental cleaning.

Even if you have a meticulous oral care routine and brush and floss thoroughly, some plaque will inevitably remain somewhere in your mouth, and everyone can benefit from this treatment.

What Are the Benefits of Having Your Teeth Cleaned Professionally?

Benefits can include:

• Lower risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
• Fresher breath.
• Some surface stains are removed during teeth polishing.

Additionally, we are learning far more about the link between oral health and overall health. When you have healthy teeth and especially strong and healthy gums, it helps protect your general health. Good gum health may reduce your risk of serious diseases like cardiovascular disease, dementia, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes. This, in turn, could lead to lower medical bills.

A hygiene appointment is a great way to freshen your smile, and afterward, you can expect your teeth to look a little whiter and brighter with added sparkle.

What Happens If I Don’t Have My Teeth Cleaned Professionally?

If you don’t have your teeth cleaned professionally, then tartar will continue to build up around the gumline and in between your teeth. Its presence makes it easier for dental plaque to stick to your teeth. All the time these substances remain on your tooth surfaces, the bacteria within them produce toxins and acids that attack your teeth and gums.

Your risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay is higher. Correcting these problems can require lengthier and more costly treatments; the possibility of losing teeth increases.

However, if you haven’t had a professional dental cleaning before, you might want to learn more about what will happen.

What Will Happen During a Professional Dental Cleaning in Hackensack, NJ?

There are several steps to your teeth cleaning treatment outlined below. The exact sequence may vary slightly. It can take thirty minutes and an hour to clean your teeth thoroughly, depending on the level of tartar buildup.

Step One: Dental Examination

Before beginning your treatment, our hygienist will carry out a quick but thorough examination of your mouth. They use a small mirror to check around your teeth and gums for any signs of dental problems like gingivitis (early gum disease).

They use a small periodontal probe to measure the depth of gaps between each tooth and gum. These measurements can help identify if you have any early signs of gum disease and are compared from one visit to the next to monitor any changes to your gum health.

If the hygienist sees any major problems, they may wish to speak with one of our dentists before they proceed.

Step Two: Removing Plaque and Tartar Buildup

The hygienist uses an ultrasonic hand instrument to help loosen tartar or calculus buildup around your gums and between your teeth. Once the buildup is loosened, it is removed using a small hand instrument called a scaler. If you have a particularly stubborn spot of tartar, you may feel your hygienist scraping a little harder. This is perfectly normal and shouldn’t feel painful.

Step Three: Cleaning Your Teeth with Professional Toothpaste

When all tartar is removed, your teeth are cleaned using gritty toothpaste. The toothpaste used is very different from your everyday toothpaste. It will gently scrub your teeth clean and is safe for use during regular teeth cleaning treatments.

Step Four: Flossing

Your hygienist expertly flosses your teeth, removing leftover pieces of tartar or toothpaste. After flossing, we may get you to rinse your mouth to remove any remaining debris.

Step Five: Tooth Polishing

Your teeth are polished using a special polishing paste that will leave them feeling smooth and clean, while your mouth should feel beautifully fresh.

The final stage might be to apply a professional strength fluoride treatment, depending on your oral health needs. Fluoride can be given as a mouth rinse or applied topically to your teeth in the form of varnish or as a gel.

After cleaning your teeth, your dental hygienist can discuss any potential oral health concerns and answer your questions. We fully encourage patients to talk to our hygienists because they have a wealth of dental knowledge and can show you how to brush more thoroughly, floss properly, or demonstrate how to use other tools to clean your teeth. Patient education is an important part of our practice.

How Much Will Teeth Cleaning Cost?

A hygiene appointment is a low-cost dental treatment. If you have dental insurance, it is almost certainly covered as a preventive dental care treatment.

Does Teeth Cleaning Hurt?

Teeth cleaning shouldn’t feel painful, but if your teeth are very sensitive or it’s been a while since you had a hygiene appointment, you may find it slightly more uncomfortable.

If this is the case, we can numb your gums beforehand. This may be useful if you need a deep teeth cleaning or a scaling and root planing treatment. A deep teeth cleaning may be necessary if it’s been a while since you last saw a dentist for treatment and have significant tartar buildup or signs of more advanced gum disease.

We know some people feel unable to see a dentist due to dental phobias or anxieties, even for a straightforward dental cleaning. If you have fears and anxieties, please let us know so we can ensure your treatment is provided more comfortably, and we can always discuss using sedation dentistry to help you relax.

If you’ve been searching for a teeth cleaning near me, look no further, as My New Jersey Dentist can help. When you first visit our dental office, we can assess your oral health and suggest a preventive treatment plan, including regular dental cleanings. We encourage patients to have regular dental cleanings because they are an easy and effective way to enjoy better oral health. You will also gain the confidence of knowing your smile looks its best and is nicely maintained.