Teeth cleanings are the most common procedure performed here at our Katy preventive dentistry practice. While tooth brushing, flossing, and mouth rinsing are effective oral home care routines to keep teeth and mouth healthy, teeth cleanings are equally important as they remove tartar and plaque that could not be reached by your ordinary toothbrush. It’s just like taking your car to the car wash… so why are some people so scared? We have a few facts that may help you not be so anxious about your next visit.

What to Expect from Teeth Cleaning

It is a painless procedure.

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is a fairly routine treatment that many patients have performed every six months. The procedure is rarely painful for the average patient. However, it is safe to say that there can be a little ‘discomfort’ for some, especially those who have marked tooth sensitivity, excessive amounts of tartar or simply fear dentists and dental procedures. When this happens, nitrous oxide is often an option to help keep anxiety at bay while local anesthetics can be used to minimize discomfort.

It is a quick, lunchtime treatment.

The average dental cleaning procedure only lasts 30 minutes to an hour. However, the length of treatment always depends upon the severity of the patient’s condition. Those individuals who come regularly to the dentist only take about half an hour to have an oral prophylaxis completed since they already have less plaque in their teeth. Meanwhile, people who rarely have their teeth cleaned usually find themselves having longer dental cleaning procedures since a lot of plaque and tartar have been acquired by the teeth over the years.

It is a time for the dentist to evaluate your gums and overall oral health.

The dentist will not just clean your teeth, but will also take a final look at your general oral health. The gums will also be evaluated for any signs of gum disease, such as bleeding and swollen gums while the teeth will be examined for decay, signs of broken fillings or fractures which may be causing discomfort.

Preventive Dentistry in Katy, Texas

Get your ounce of prevention today. Call us at 281-395-2112 to schedule your dental cleaning appointment with one of our dentists here at Welch Dental Group. We look forward to your visit!