1. A physical exam: Most teeth cleanings are performed by a dental hygienist. Before the actual cleaning process begins, they start with a physical exam of your entire mouth. The dental hygienist uses a small mirror to check around your teeth and gums for any signs of gingivitis (inflamed gums) or other potential concerns. If they detect major problems, the dental hygienist might call the dentist to make sure it’s fine to proceed.

2. Removing plaque and tartar: With the small mirror to guide them, the dental hygienist uses a scaler to get rid of plaque and tartar around your gum line, as well as in between your teeth. You’ll hear scraping, but this is normal. The more tartar there is in your mouth, the more time they’ll need to scrape a particular spot. Brushing and flossing stops plaque from building up and hardening into tartar. Once you have tartar, you can only have it removed at your dentist’s office. So if this is your least favorite part of the teeth cleaning process, the lesson is to brush and floss more often.

3. Gritty toothpaste cleaning: After your teeth are completely tartar-free, the hygienist brushes them with a high-powered electric brush.which makes a grinding noise. While it sounds scary, it’s a great way to get a deep clean and remove any tartar left behind from the scaler. Professional cleanings use toothpaste that smells and tastes like regular toothpaste, though you can often choose between flavors. However, it has a gritty consistency that gently scrubs your teeth. If done by a professional, this polishing of the teeth is deemed safe to do twice a year. But don’t be as harsh with your teeth at home, because you’ll wear down the enamel.

4. Expert flossing: Whether you floss regularly at home or not, nothing beats an expert flossing session. Your dental hygienist can get deep between your teeth and locate any potential trouble spots where you might bleed at the gums. This might seem pointless if you floss at home, but having a professional floss your teeth also removes any leftover plaque or toothpaste from earlier in the cleaning process.

5. Rinsing Next, you rinse out your mouth to get rid of any debris. Your dental hygienist will usually give you a rinse that contains liquid fluoride.

6. Applying fluoride treatment The last step of the cleaning process is a fluoride treatment. This treatment is used as a protectant for your teeth to help fight against cavities for several months. Your dental hygienist may ask you what flavor you like best. They’ll then place the fluoride varnish onto the teeth with a small brush. Fluoride varnish will harden when in contact with saliva, so you can eat and drink immediately after.

7. Other potential steps: Professional teeth cleanings are scheduled twice a year, while X-rays are normally done once a year. Still, depending on what your dentist or dental hygienist observes in your mouth, they might do other exams during your visit. For children, a dentist may recommend molar sealants to help prevent cavities in hard-to-brush areas. Whether you need any additional steps or not, the key is to keep going back to the dentist for regular teeth cleanings to prevent problems altogether. By understanding what’s going on in advance, you’ll feel more at ease — and maybe even look forward to these appointments.

A dental filling is usually a two-part step.

It is first the removal of decaying tooth matter, caused by cavities, or alternately, the removal of damaged tooth matter caused by injury.

Secondly, the dentist applies different materials, to fill the removed portion of the tooth, which allows the person to have full function of that tooth. In some cases, tooth decay is so severe, that a stainless steel crown must be fit onto the tooth. This is called indirect restoration. Most commonly, though, the dental filling occurs completely in the mouth, called direct restoration, without need fora stainless steel crown to be placed.

The first part of the dental filling is often the most uncomfortable and most dreaded by patients. Dentists normally have to use a special tool to get into a tooth remove all decaying portions of the tooth.

Generally, dentists use novocaine to numb the sensation of having the special tool applied to the tooth, but both the sound and smell of the special tool is enough to cause anxiety in many patients.

After a dental filling, some people report minor discomfort, once the novocaine wears off. Discomfort may actually derive more from the injection of the novocaine than from the actual dental procedure. Patients may be sent home with instructions for eating soft foods for the remainder of the day, and for avoiding very hot foods while the novocaine remains in effect. By the next day, most people feel no discomfort, and can indulge in any food or drink they like.

Many children are calm, comfortable, and confident in a pediatric dental office. Sometimes, however, a child feels anxious during treatment. Your child may need more support than a gentle, caring manner to feel comfortable. Nitrous oxide is a safe, effective technique to calm a child's fear of the dental visit.
Procedures requiring Nitrous Oxide are scheduled weekday mornings, as nothing should be eaten for 4-6 hours prior to the appointment. If your child is an early riser, they may have a small breakfast and come 4-6 hours later, with the latest appointment being at 1pm. Clear liquids, such as water or apple juice, may be consumed before the appointment. Your child may eat after the appointment however, if they required novacaine, they will be numb for 1-3 hours. During this time, they should eat something soft that they do not need to chew so that they avoid accidentally biting their lips or cheeks. After the numbness wears off, they may resume normal eating.
We suggest that parents stay in the waiting area and let the provider escort the child into the room on their own. This allows them to establish a trusting and comfortable relationship with the child and provides the least amount of distraction given the short amount of time they have with the child. Also, most children feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride once they’ve completed the “adventure” on their own.
Common questions about Nitrous Oxide:Q: What is nitrous oxide/oxygen?

A: Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. When inhaled, it is absorbed by the body and has a calming effect. Normal breathing eliminates nitrous oxide/oxygen from the body.

Q: How will my child feel when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen?

A: Your child will smell a sweet, pleasant aroma and experience a sense of well-being and relaxation. If your child is worried by the sights, sounds, or sensations of dental treatment, he or she may respond more positively with the use of nitrous oxide/oxygen.

Q: How safe is nitrous oxide/oxygen?

A: Very safe. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is non-addictive. It is mild, easily taken, then quickly eliminated by the body. Your child remains fully conscious, keeps all natural reflexes, when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen.

Q: Are there any special instructions for nitrous oxide/oxygen?

A: First, do not give your child food before the dental visit. (Occasionally, nausea or vomiting occurs when a child has a full stomach.) Second, tell your pediatric dentist about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. It may limit the effectiveness of nitrous oxide/oxygen. Third, tell your pediatric dentist if your child is taking any medication on the day of the appointment.

Q: Will nitrous oxide/oxygen work for all children?

A: Pediatric dentists know that all children are not alike! Every service is tailored to your child as an individual. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is not effective for some children, especially those who have severe anxiety, nasal congestion, extensive treatment needs, or discomfort wearing a nasal mask. Pediatric dentists have comprehensive specialty training and can offer other sedation methods that are right for your child.

Dental sealants are a dental treatment intended to prevent tooth decay. Teeth have recesses on their biting surfaces the back teeth have fissures (grooves). It is these fissures which are most vulnerable to tooth decay because food and bacteria stick in them and because they are hard-to-clean area.

Dental sealants are materials placed in these fissures to fill them in, creating a smooth surface which is easy to clean.

Dental sealants are mainly used in children who are at higher risk of tooth decay, and are usually placed as soon as the adult molar teeth come through.