Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month With A Professional Dental Cleaning

dnetist cleaning a patient's teeth while assistant works on the computer in the background

Did you know your mouth can be a window into your overall health? Oral problems don’t just stay in your mouth; they can affect your entire body. October is National Dental Hygiene Month, with the key message: “Brush, Floss, and Visit.” This campaign raises awareness of the strong link between oral and overall health. It highlights why preventative dentistry is essential to every health plan, starting with regular dental cleaning.

No matter how carefully we clean our teeth at home, bacteria from saliva and sticky plaque can still build up on tooth surfaces and along the gum line. If not removed, this buildup can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Plaque left unchecked hardens into tartar, which is impossible to remove at home. While dental hygiene begins at home, routine dental care also requires a dental cleaning by a qualified hygienist.

Here’s what you can expect during a professional dental cleaning:

Initial Examination

dental reconstruction

Once comfortably seated in the dental chair, a thorough examination of your mouth and teeth will be conducted by your dental hygienist. The examination will search for weak spots in the enamel and signs of decay and investigate any areas that need specialized cleaning.

Scaling

Scaling, also called deep dental cleaning. It is a procedure that removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the surfaces of your teeth, including the front, back, and sides, and below the gum line. It reaches inside hard-to-reach gum pockets. Dental hygenists use specialized tools, such as scalers or ultrasonic devices to clear this buildup effectively. Regular scaling helps prevent gum disease, reduces the risk of tooth decay, eliminates stains, and can even improve bad breath.

Polishing

Tooth polishing is the next step, leaving your teeth feeling smooth and glossy. The two common methods of polishing are:

  • Utilization of a low-speed drill topped with a rubber cup and dipped into a lightly abrasive polishing paste to clean and polish teeth.
  • Using a high-pressure instrument called a ‘micro-blaster’ combined with a suspension, often containing baking soda.

​​​​​​Both methods gently clean the teeth and remove any staining on the teeth. Tooth polishing is not purely for cosmetic reasons. While polishing significantly improves the appearance of your teeth, it removes plaque and biofilm at the same time.

Flossing

woman flossing in the bathroom mirror

Flossing is an important step in every professional dental cleaning. While many patients floss at home, a hygienist’s technique reaches deeper between the teeth and along the gum line. This allows them to spot potential problem areas, such as early signs of gum disease, while ensuring no plaque, food debris, or polishing paste is left behind.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride treatment is the final step of your dental cleaning and is beneficial for both children and adults. The process involves applying a protective fluoride gel, foam, varnish, or paste to the teeth. These substances are either dispensed in a custom tray or painted directly onto the teeth.

Fluoride is a mineral found in water and foods such as shrimp, tea, grapes, raisins, spinach, and potatoes.
Fluoride strengthens and remineralizes tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars, which helps prevent cavities.

Oral Cancer Screening

During a dental visit, an oral cancer screening is performed through a thorough examination to detect any abnormal tissue changes, including lumps, sores, or red and white patches. Early detection is critical, as oral cancer can progress rapidly. Identifying it early significantly increases treatment success and reduces the risk of complications.

The process typically includes:

  • Examining the face, neck, and throat for irregularities
  • Inspecting the lips and inner cheeks
  • Checking the tongue
  • Observing the roof of the mouth
  • Feeling the floor of the mouth

The Importance Of A Professional Teeth Cleaning

woma smiling in dentist chair

A professional dental cleaning does more than leave your teeth clean, it protects your overall health. Poor dental hygiene can affect your health, and neglecting oral care doesn’t just harm your teeth and gums; it can also affect your whole body.

  • Heart Health: Gum bacteria can enter your bloodstream, contributing to narrowed arteries and increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.
  • Brain Health: Certain bacteria may reach the brain.
  • Lung Health: Inhaling bacteria from infected gums can cause lung infections.
  • Diabetes: Gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control.

Regular cleanings remove plaque and tartar that can’t be eliminated at home, reducing the risk of cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Fun Teeth Facts

woman smiling with white teeth
  • Did you know that no two sets of teeth are exactly alike, making your smile as unique as a fingerprint?
  • Plaque can start forming on your teeth in just 4–12 hours, so even a short skip in brushing gives bacteria a chance to settle in.
  • Ancient civilizations cleaned their teeth with everything from chew sticks to crushed eggshells, and before nylon bristles, toothbrushes were made from boar hair
  • Toothpaste comes in some wild flavors around the world—from bubblegum to charcoal, and in some countries, even wasabi
  • While enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, acid, sugar, and neglect can wear it down surprisingly fast. Luckily, your body produces about 25,000 quarts of saliva over a lifetime to help neutralize acids and keep your teeth strong!

Schedule Your Professional Teeth Cleaning Today

Keep your smile healthy and bright with regular professional cleanings at Eriks Dental Group. Prevent problems before they start and give your teeth the care they deserve. Call us today at 954-463-5051 to schedule your appointment or request an appointment online.

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