How do dentists remove plaque?

Teeth cleanings are just one of the many procedures which cause people to fear the dentist’s office. The combination of poking and prodding, strange noises, slight pain or discomfort causes apprehension –sometimes for good reason. However, what most people don’t realise is that having your plaque removed is a quick and painless procedure. Yes, we did say painless!

Knowing what to expect from the whole process can also help put your mind at ease, allowing you to simply reap the results –clean, beautiful, and minty smile. If you’re looking for a dentist in Adelaide who can clean your teeth and restore your smile, then read on.

What is plaque?

Plaque is often described as a colourless strip which contains bacteria and eats away at your enamel. Feeling the plaque against your tongue is similar to imagining limescale in a kettle –just the thought can send shivers down your spine! Among the pesky effects of plaque, you can experience darkening or staining of your teeth, which also contributes to gum disease. Fighting this chalky substance does not only depend on your dentist, but rather on thorough life-long oral care. If this strikes you as odd, you should know that plaque begins to form a mere 4 to 12 hours after brushing –making flossing invaluable to fighting this build-up.

How do dentists remove plaque?

At Adelaide Dental, the cleaning process will begin with a visual examination of your mouth. Using a small mirror, our friendly dental hygienist will inspect your gums and teeth for any potential signs of plaque, decay, or other concerns. Should the exploration catch any problems which need addressing, the dentist will be called in. Alternatively, the hygienist will use a small scaler designed to clean any plaque or tartar in and between the teeth. When you hear scraping, don’t panic! It simply means that the procedure is working, and you’re on your way to a clean and plaque-free smile. In some cases, we might even brush the teeth with the infamously loud yet painless electric toothbrush –it’s all bark and no bite!

At the end of the procedure, our dental hygienist might recommend a type of toothpaste which contains more fluoride than conventional toothpaste. It can be used daily or every once in awhile, and it might keep you out of the dentist’s office for longer!

Is it going to be painful?
In short, the answer is no.

Most people find that cleanings are painless and that the anticipation of the procedure is what creates the fear –the ‘scraping’ sensation or the loudness of the toothbrush. It may just so happen that you’ll start to enjoy teeth cleaning due to the luxurious and smooth feeling of your teeth!

Our team at Adelaide Dental wants to ensure that you’ll feel comfortable throughout the procedure. If you’re usually afraid of having dental work done, we can recommend various options to make the cleaning more enjoyable and stress-free. To avoid having to go through cleanings, the lesson is to brush and floss more often! If you’re looking for a dentist in Adelaide then pop down and visit us in our Rundle Mall clinic.