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Dental cleanings are one of the most important oral health procedures you will receive at your dentist’s office. They keep your teeth clean and healthy, your gums free from disease, and your smile looking bright.

However, many people find them uncomfortable or even frightening to go through. If you are one of these people, our comprehensive guide to dental cleanings will let you know what to expect and will help put your mind at ease during your next dentist’s appointment.

What is Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleaning is the process of scraping plaque and tartar off of a patient’s teeth. Cleanings may be performed by dentists or dental hygienists and may involve a variety of tools, including polishers and metal or ultrasonic scalers.

Dental cleanings are essential to good oral health. They help prevent gum disease and tooth decay, and they even make your teeth look whiter afterward.

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

A typical dental cleaning happens in 6 stages.

1. A Physical Exam

All dental cleanings begin with a quick examination of your mouth. This step helps your dentist or hygienist determine how much tartar you have on your teeth, which tools they will need to use, and approximately how much time it will take to get the job done.

2. Removing Plaque and Tartar

Once your oral health needs have been assessed, your dentist or dental hygienist will carefully scrape the plaque and tartar off your teeth using a scaling instrument. This is the longest part of dental cleaning as well as the most important.

How long does a dental cleaning take? It depends, but most people are in the chair for at least a half hour. By the end, your teeth and gums will be free of tartar and feel smooth to the touch.

3. Polishing

When all the tartar has been removed from your teeth, your dentist or hygienist will polish your teeth with a special tool and a gritty paste. This process will scrape away any remaining particles of tartar and make your teeth look whiter and shinier than before.

4. Expert Flossing

Once the toothpaste has done its job, your dentist or hygienist will carefully floss any remaining plaque from between your teeth. Their expertise allows them to reach every nook and cranny in your teeth and gums, including those hard-to-reach spots you may miss during your own flossing routine. This ensures that your mouth is as clean as possible when you leave your dentist’s office.

5. Rinsing

After your cleaning is complete, your dentist or hygienist will give you a cup of liquid fluoride solution to rinse with. You will be asked to swish this solution around in your mouth and then spit it into the office’s sink. This will remove any debris from your mouth and give your teeth a small fluoride boost.

6. Application of Fluoride Treatment

Depending on your needs, your dentist may end your cleaning with a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your teeth. The fluoride will be applied to your teeth in either foam or gel form. You will then be asked to keep that foam or gel on your teeth for a few minutes before rinsing it off.

Other Potential Steps

During one of the two cleanings you should receive each year, you will also need to get dental X-rays done. These X-rays will help your dentist assess your oral health in greater detail and identify problems like tooth decay, tooth resorption, and bone loss.

Depending on your age, decay risk, and other factors, your dentist may recommend additional procedures during your cleaning appointment. For example, many young children have sealants applied to their molars during a dental cleaning to help protect their teeth while they learn to master brushing and flossing.

Who Should Get a Dental Cleaning and Why?

Everyone should visit their dentist for a dental cleaning at least once every 6 months. Some people with heavy tartar build-up, severe gum disease, or other oral health problems may need more frequent cleanings.

Adhering to this schedule keeps your teeth smooth and makes it difficult for bacteria to stick to them. This protects your teeth and gums from disease and gives you the best chance of maintaining good oral health for life. Seeing your dentist frequently also allows them to catch and treat any oral health problems you may be developing as early as possible.

Possible Complications and Risks

Dental cleanings are completely safe when they are performed by a qualified dental professional. However, performing a cleaning improperly may injure your gums or damage your enamel.

Do not attempt to perform a dental cleaning on your own teeth or on a friend’s or family member’s teeth. If you do not have the correct training, you will probably cause more harm than good. Leave the job to the professionals who have the tools and expertise needed to do it safely.

Dental cleanings may also be uncomfortable for some people, especially those with a history of gum disease. Any pain you experience is usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Your teeth may also be slightly sensitive for a few days after your cleaning. Both the sensitivity and the pain should subside within a week of your cleaning appointment.

Get a Stress-Free Dental Cleaning in Mississauga

Are you due for your next dental cleaning? Trillium Smile Dentistry is the place to go. Our friendly staff understands that cleanings make many patients nervous, so we do everything we can to help you relax and unwind while you are in our care.

We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about dental cleaning costs, the tools we use, or any other aspects of our services. Contact us today to book your next dental appointment and see what a pleasant experience a dental cleaning can be.

A shattered tooth or painful toothache is distressing enough on its own, but it is far worse when it happens outside of regular dental office hours. Luckily, there is a solution that can get you the care you need. Emergency dentists offer expedited treatment that will get you out of pain and on the road to recovery without having to contend with a long wait. Choosing your emergency dentist before you need one can make it even easier to get timely dental treatment in a crisis.

What Are Emergency Dental Services?

Emergency dental services are priority care given when time is of the essence. They are usually booked by patients who are experiencing severe pain or dental trauma. You may need an emergency appointment if you have any of the following conditions:

3 Ways an Emergency Dentist Helps

If you have never needed an emergency dentist before, you might not understand why they are important.

Going to an emergency dentist:

Connects You to a Qualified Professional

There are so many dentists, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This is especially true when you are anxious, in pain, and wondering which office has the skills you need.

When you already have an emergency dentist in mind before the issue happens, you know exactly where to go for treatment and relief. There is no need to research dental offices in Mississauga or figure out how to get there. You can just call the clinic and book an appointment.

Gets You Faster Treatment

Tooth pain can be some of the most intense pain you will ever feel, and you will want it to be over as soon as possible. You also have a much better chance of saving a damaged or knocked-out tooth if you get immediate treatment after the injury occurs.

Depending on the time of day when the injury took place, your emergency dentist can often see you within a few hours of your call. This gets you out of pain faster and makes it more likely that your tooth will be saved.

Helps Prevent Infection

Almost every dental emergency carries some risk of infection, and that risk gets worse the longer you wait to have the problem treated.

An emergency dentist can ensure your tooth’s vulnerable inner tissues are safe from infection. They may also prescribe some antibiotics for you if they feel that is needed.

Proactively Preparing for Dental Emergencies

When dental disasters strike, it can be challenging to think clearly enough to figure out what you should do. These tips will help you take the necessary steps to ensure the best outcomes for specific dental emergencies.

Tooth Pain and Swelling

Toothaches and swelling often happen due to food getting stuck under your gums or between your teeth, causing irritation. You can relieve some of your symptoms by swishing some warm salt water around in your mouth. This will soothe some pain and may wash away some of the irritants.

If pain is still a problem at this point, a cold compress may help. Over-the-counter pain medication can also be useful, but do not place the pills against your gums. Despite what you might have heard, this is a dangerous practice that can cause severe chemical burns within your mouth.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth can sometimes be repaired, and it helps to collect and save all the pieces of your tooth to bring with you if possible. If there is swelling around the jaw or you are in pain, try applying a cold compress to the area.

Knocked-Out Tooth

There is no time to waste when you have lost a tooth. Handle it by touching only the crown, or the part that would be above the gum line. Be very careful to never touch the root of the tooth. Pick it up and rinse it with water, then try to place it back in its socket.

If the tooth does not fit easily into the socket, place it in a glass of milk or your saliva. Bring it to your dentist as soon as possible. If you get there in less than one hour, you have the best possible chance of saving your tooth.

Broken Crown

A broken crown calls for an immediate dental visit. If you are in pain while you are waiting, try applying some clove oil to the area around the affected tooth. You can also try to gently put the crown back in place with some toothpaste or dental adhesive. Do not force the crown onto your tooth if it does not fit naturally. You should also never use any type of glue to fix a broken crown. Leave that to your dentist!

Abscess

As long as the infection has not progressed too far, a warm salt water rinse can control pain from a dental abscess. However, this is a temporary measure and will not do the job for long, so be sure to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Trillium Smile Dentistry Offers Emergency Dentistry Services

Good emergency dental care can make a big difference during stressful times in your life. If you want an emergency dentist in Mississauga you know you can rely on, visit Trillium Smile Dentistry. Dr. Tousi is one of the best dentists in the GTA and has treated countless patients for dental injuries, advanced tooth decay, abscesses, and more. Trust us for your emergency care when you need it! Call us at 905-828-9894 or book an appointment online and get to know our team today.

Children require regular dental care as much as any other type of healthcare, even when they are very young. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that all children visit a dentist before their first birthday and receive regular dental checkups every six months afterwards.

However, finding a family dentist in Mississauga is not always an easy task. You must choose a dentist that is able to provide reliable, convenient care for both the children and adults in your family. This guide will identify what to look for at a family dentist and offer tips to find the right one for you.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted Canadians’ dental health routines and made it difficult for patients to receive the dental care they need.

Like most dental offices in Mississauga, Trillium Smile Dentistry has continued to offer dental services throughout the pandemic. As we are considered an essential service in Ontario, we are still open and available to provide dental care.

We have modified our usual practices and made additional investments to ensure that our patients feel comfortable when they visit our office during the ongoing pandemic. Here is what you can expect from us at this time.