How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
If it’s your first time getting a professional cleaning, you might have a lot of questions before your visit. Teens and adults with busy schedules often have one question on their mind: How long will the procedure take? Normally, a cleaning takes half an hour to an hour at most. Keep reading to learn everything before your dental cleaning visit!
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What Does Your Dentist Do During a Teeth Cleaning?
The overall process is quite straightforward. Your dentist or dental hygienist starts by having a close look at your teeth and gums. This is to make sure that you don’t have any cavities, gum infections, or other dental issues.
Normally, teeth cleanings are comfortable. Patients say that they feel mild sensitivity in their teeth, especially when the dentist is cleaning the areas right along the gumline. If your teeth feel too sensitive, your dentist may consider using local or topical anesthesia.
Most dental professionals use an ultrasonic device that breaks down plaque buildup on teeth. They work on cleaning the visible surfaces, as well as the hidden nooks and crannies in your mouth.
The final step is polishing the teeth with a gritty-textured paste for a shiny finish.
How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Usually Take?
A dental cleaning doesn’t take too long, especially if you’re consistent with your appointments. Normally, the entire process takes about 30 to 60 minutes. We’ll break it down:
- Initial exam: 5–10 minutes
- Removing plaque and tartar on your teeth: 20–40 minutes
- Polishing: 2–5 minutes
Many dentists take some extra preventive steps, such as flossing between your teeth or applying a fluoride gel or varnish at the end. These steps hardly take 10 minutes, so you’ll soon be free to go on about your daily routine.
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Factors That Affect Your Dental Cleaning Visits
Multiple things influence how long your dental cleaning appointment will take, such as:
Plaque and tartar amount
Plaque is a sticky layer and comparatively easier to clean. But that yellowish or white buildup you see along your gumline is tartar.
The more tartar buildup you have, the longer your teeth cleaning will take. Your dentist will have to break down these deposits and thoroughly clean each tooth.
Oral health issues
A routine cleaning becomes more complex and time-consuming if you have existing dental issues such as cavities or inflamed and swollen gums (gum disease).
Food stains on the enamel
A part of the dental cleaning process is to remove the surface stains on your enamel. If you have too much staining, your visit may take longer.
Frequency of your visits
If you keep up with your biannual visits, your cleaning appointments will be like a breeze! The process can take much longer if it’s been a long time since you last had a cleaning.
Wrapping Up
Routine dental cleaning appointments usually take no longer than an hour. If you haven’t had a dental visit in the last six months, schedule your dental exam and cleaning appointment with us at Cloud 9 Dental today. Call us at (818) 986-7411 to get started!