People in the United States should see their dentist at least once every six months for a professional cleaning. Having professional cleaning done is more vital than you would imagine. Preventing gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay require regular dental cleanings. Some people find the concept of going to the dentist every six months stressful. If you fall into this category and often think about “how long does a dental cleaning take”, you may relax knowing that a typical visit lasts an hour from start to finish. A full oral exam, a review of oral hygiene practices, and a professional cleaning are all part of a routine dental appointment.
What to anticipate during the professional dental cleaning part of the appointment is outlined below.
What to Expect in a Regular Dental Cleaning Procedure?
You'll be ready for your dental cleaning when the dentist or dental hygienist has completed the oral exam. They'll make you feel at ease and cover your shirt with a paper towel or paper bib. If you feel uneasy at any time, tell them so that they can give you a few minutes to settle down and unwind. There are just a few stages involved in a routine dental cleaning:
- Scaling: Scaling is the initial stage in any dental cleaning. Removal of plaque and debris from the gum line as well as between teeth is known as "scaling." Ultrasonic or thin metal hand scalers are often used for this procedure. In order to remove plaque, the portable ultrasonic scaler employs air pressure and low-frequency vibrations, as well as water to rinse it away. Those with sensitive teeth may find the scaling procedure a bit painful. During the scaling procedure, the dentist will take breaks to ensure your comfort and let you rest when necessary.
- Polishing: The teeth are now ready to be polished once the dirt and plaque have been removed. Automated handheld equipment applies a polishing paste to each tooth one at a time. The teeth are polished with the help of a little spinning head on the gadget.
- Flossing: The only thing left to do is a final floss between your teeth. The dentist's speed at flossing your teeth may astound you. After flossing, you will rinse and that’s all.
What is the Average Duration of a Dental Cleaning Procedure?
It takes 30-40 minutes to do a dental cleaning on a patient with good oral health who also practices appropriate oral hygiene at home. The hygienist's pace and your teeth's health both factor into how long the procedure takes. It's important to remember that a dental cleaning involves more than simply brushing and flossing which may affect how long does a deep dental cleaning take:
- There will be X-rays.
- A hygienist will examine the area that is between your gums and teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
- Your dentist will do a thorough examination of your oral cavity, including your gums, teeth, tongue, and other structures.
In order to keep your mouth healthy, you'll need the "extras” and, therefore, your dentist appointment will take longer because of them. However, let's talk about why your appointment is taking so long and why you aren't sedated.
What’s Taking So Long?
Is there anything else that might be impacting “how long does a dental cleaning take”? There might be a number of things at play:
- The Condition of Your Teeth – Plaque, tartar, and stains are removed from your teeth during a professional dental cleaning. How frequently you floss and brush your teeth has a direct correlation to the amount of plaque and tartar accumulation that results. Plaque and tartar are less likely to accumulate on your teeth if you floss regularly. Even if you don't smoke or drink much coffee or tea, your teeth may still have stains because of the things you consume and drink on a daily basis.
- Periodontal Disease – It's common for gum tissue to peel away from teeth when they are infected in the area between teeth and gum tissue. Gum disease can only be cured by deep cleaning of the periodontal pockets. Root planning and scaling is a more extensive cleaning procedure that requires more time and effort. A professional (periodontist) may be required in situations of severe periodontal disease.
- Your Anxiety Level – Taking care of the dental needs of fearful patients’ needs additional time and consideration. To protect your comfort and explain what's happening throughout the dental operation, dentists and hygienists will operate at a slower speed if they know you're nervous. Regardless of a patient's degree of fear, some dentists will do this procedure. Dental cleanings might be made more comfortable for you if you use sedation.
Why the Dentist isn’t sedating you for Dental Cleaning?
Sweaty armpits may have gone unnoticed by the dentist and hygienist. Have you mentioned that you're nervous about the long dental cleanings?
Periodontal disease has to be well-controlled, so tell your dentist and hygienist how much the cleanings are impacting you. Don't let the fear of the dentist get the best of you, and ask for sedation so you don't have to start avoiding your sessions altogether.
The dentist should talk to you to give a dosage of sedation that fits your anxiety and the duration of your dental sessions. If he or she isn’t sensitive enough to your fear, it could be time to search for another sedation dentist.
The Bottom Line
Dental cleaning typically takes 30 minutes or an hour. However, “how long does a dental deep cleaning take” heavily depends on the health of your teeth and the plaque buildup that is to be removed. Usually, the routine dental checkup and the cleaning process of your teeth is painless, leaving patients satisfied.