Dental Cleaning in Houston, Texas

Dental Cleaning Services

Excellent oral hygiene practices play an essential role in maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile. Along with incorporating proper brushing and daily flossing into your at-home regime, it’s important to schedule regular teeth cleaning appointments with your dental home. With a recommended twice-yearly cleaning appointment, your dental team can closely monitor your teeth and gums and keep your smile looking its best. If you’re new to our Champions Dental family, knowing what to expect at your appointment will help to ease any anxiety and make your visit as comfortable as possible.

What to Expect During My Dental Cleaning Appointment

Tooth and Gum Exam

The first part of your dental cleaning appointment will consist of a dental and gum examination. During this time, your dental hygienist will use a special mirroring tool to take a close look at all areas of your teeth and gums. Any dark spots, plaque or tartar buildup, or signs of inflammation will be noted and will provide the hygienist with insight on which areas require greater attention during the cleaning process. The hygienist will also take the time during this stage of the process to observe signs of greater damage, such as cavities or periodontitis, which will be more thoroughly assessed by your dentist.

Scaling

After the examination takes place, your dental hygienist will begin the dental cleaning stage by scaling the surface of your teeth, the area near your gum line, and the area in between your teeth. Over time, plaque left on the teeth becomes calcified, leading to harder-to-remove tartar. Depending on the level of this buildup, your hygienist may use a manual scaler to scrape the plaque and tartar or an ultrasonic scraper that uses gentle vibrations and water to loosen the targeted dental calculus.

Polishing and Flossing

Once all tartar and plaque have been removed through the scaling process, your teeth will be polished with a high-powered electric toothbrush and a gritty toothpaste that works to deeply clean the surface of your teeth. In addition to this polishing, your hygienist will also floss between each tooth in order to ensure that all excess particles and left-behind plaque have been removed. Flossing also allows us to identify potential problem areas of the gum that require greater attention at home.

Applying Fluoride

Once your cleaning is complete, your hygienist may apply a fluoride treatment. This treatment works to strengthen your enamel and may be applied as either a gel or a varnish. When used in its gel form, fluoride is added to a mouthpiece that fits over your mouth and is worn for one minute. In its varnish form, fluoride can be painted onto your teeth with a small brush.

Teeth Cleanings

Are In-Office Teeth Cleanings Really Necessary?

Visiting a dental office for regular teeth cleanings often begs the question — is it really necessary? One of the most significant benefits of scheduling regular exams and cleanings is to reinforce your at-home oral health routine. Over time, plaque left on or between the teeth calcifies and becomes hardened tartar. This dental calculus can trap stains, cause discoloration, and pave the way for bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. While regular plaque can be removed through proper brushing and flossing, tartar buildup can only be removed by a dental professional using special tools to scrape the calcified deposits. Keeping your teeth free from this material is an important preventive measure that minimizes your risk of cavities, gingivitis, and other periodontal issues.

Your dental team consists of experts that are highly-skilled in assessing all parts of the mouth. Twice yearly teeth cleanings also allow your hygienist and dentist to monitor your oral health, which will help to guarantee problem areas receive greater attention and quick treatment when necessary. During your dental cleaning appointment, your smile will be closely examined for any signs of damage or disease.

Teeth Cleaning Services at Champions Dental

At Champions Dental, we believe a healthy, beautiful smile goes hand in hand with overall health and leads to a more confident you. With more than 15 years of experience, our team prides itself on providing premier dental services that enhance tooth health and help our patients maintain a radiant smile. With the most advanced treatment techniques and dedication to educating each patient about proper oral health practices, we offer an unmatched level of care as we meet their dental needs.

Visit our team at Champions Dental today or call to schedule your next teeth cleaning appointment. Your beautiful smile awaits!

Why Champions Dental

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I get a dental cleaning?
A professional dental cleaning performed by your dental hygienist should be conducted every six months for a total of two teeth cleanings per year. For individuals with more serious dental issues, including periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings.
What should I expect during my teeth cleaning?
During your cleaning appointment, your dental team will start by performing an exam to assess the health of your teeth and gums. Each tooth and area surrounding the tooth, including the gum line, will be carefully looked at with a special tool in order to make sure they’re all in good condition. By doing this regularly, your dentist and hygienist will be able to monitor your oral health for any changes. After the initial exam, your hygienist will perform a thorough cleaning by scraping any plaque and tartar, polishing your teeth with a special toothpaste, and flossing. Collectively, each of these steps guarantee the removal of all buildup on or between the teeth. Once your cleaning is complete, you and your dentist may opt for a fluoride treatment to conclude the appointment.
How do I keep my teeth clean after my appointment?
A freshly cleaned, radiant smile is an excellent symbol of health. Keeping your teeth clean after your dental cleaning requires proper at-home oral health practices. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing on a daily basis will help to remove food particles and prevent plaque from hardening and building up. Including a fluoride toothpaste and mouthrinse in your oral health regime are also recommended.
Can I eat and drink like normal after my appointment?
Whether or not you can eat and drink like normal immediately following your teeth cleaning appointment may depend on whether or not you receive a fluoride treatment. Consuming hot or cold foods may also increase sensitivity you might already be feeling. Once your cleaning is complete, your hygienist will provide any guidelines that should be followed.
Does insurance cover my dental cleaning?

Yes, most dental insurance plans include preventive care, including twice yearly teeth cleanings and routine x-rays. More specific and detailed information about coverage may be obtained by calling your insurance provider prior to your cleaning appointment.

Are dental cleanings necessary?
Yes, regular teeth cleanings are incredibly important to maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile. Harmful bacteria left on the teeth can be extremely damaging, leading to tooth decay, gum inflammation, enamel erosion, and tooth discoloration. A thorough cleaning that scrapes away harmful buildup is only possible with the tools and skills provided by your dental team. Routine cleanings also give your dentist the opportunity to monitor your oral health for any changes and to identify problem areas early on. This intervention can minimize the risk of cavities, infection, and advanced periodontitis.
What are common signs that I need a dental exam?
Dental exams should be performed every six months. If you’ve gone longer than this since your last in-office preventive visit, now is the time to schedule your next appointment. In addition to scheduling your visits twice per year, it’s important to watch for other signs that your teeth may need a deeper cleaning and more-focused intervention. Any tooth or gum-related discomfort, a toothache, irritated or receding gums, sensitivity, or bad breath are physical indicators that it’s time to visit your dentist.
Are dental cleanings painful?
No, dental cleanings are painless. Any discomfort that occurs during the cleaning process may be attributed to pressure or vibrations felt when your hygienist uses the specialized tools to assess your oral cavity and clean your teeth and gums. If these motions cause you discomfort, that can be quickly communicated to your dental team in order to put you more at ease. It’s important to note that prioritizing good oral health habits at home correspond to less discomfort felt during your in-office cleanings. Make sure that you’re brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day to prevent any excessive buildup.
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