There’s nothing quite like that fresh, just-cleaned feeling after a dental visit; it’s like pressing reset on your whole mouth. At Scott Edwards DDS, Dr. Scott Edwards, Dr. Julia Prince, and Dr. Clayton Myers turn routine cleanings into a smooth and refreshing experience that’s anything but boring. These visits brighten your teeth and help keep everything running the way it should. Let’s take a closer look at what actually happens during a dental cleaning and why it matters more than you might expect.
The Exam Before the Clean
Your dental cleaning starts with an initial exam performed by one of the hygienists at Scott Edwards DDS. Using a small mirror, they check all surfaces of your teeth and gums for plaque, tartar, inflammation, or early signs of decay. This includes examining around the gumline for swelling or bleeding, looking for tooth wear, and scanning for any visible cracks or dark spots.
They also inspect existing fillings or dental work to make sure everything’s holding up properly. If anything seems out of the ordinary—like a suspicious area of enamel erosion or potential gum recession—they’ll make a note and alert Dr. Scott Edwards, Dr. Julia Prince, or Dr. Clayton Myers for further evaluation.
With the exam complete, it’s time to remove anything your toothbrush and floss can’t handle—starting with plaque and tartar.
Scaling Away Plaque and Tartar
After your dental exam, the hygienist at Scott Edwards DDS moves on to scaling—a key part of your cleaning that targets buildup brushing and flossing leave behind.
What Scaling Involves:
- Plaque Removal: Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth daily. If not removed regularly, it hardens into tartar.
- Tartar Removal: Tartar bonds tightly to the enamel and can’t be removed at home. It forms most often near the gumline and between teeth.
The Process:
- A hand scaler or ultrasonic device is used to dislodge tartar gently without harming the enamel.
- Special attention is given to areas where buildup is common, like behind the lower front teeth or along the gumline.
- Each tooth is treated individually to remove debris and smooth the surface.
Thorough scaling is essential to reduce the risk of gum inflammation, cavities, and bone loss. Once the tartar is gone, Scott Edwards, DDS, moves on to polishing to remove surface stains and smooth the enamel.
Polishing for a Smooth Finish
Once scaling is complete, the team at Scott Edwards DDS gets to work on polishing—an important step that enhances both the appearance and cleanliness of your teeth.
What Polishing Does:
- Removes Surface Stains: The polishing paste tackles stains from coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and other stain-prone foods.
- Eliminates Residual Plaque: Any remaining plaque that scaling didn’t catch is smoothed away.
- Smooths Enamel: Polishing leaves your teeth with a slick surface that’s harder for plaque to stick to.
How It Works:
- A slow-speed handpiece is used with a soft rubber cup.
- A mildly abrasive polishing paste is applied to each tooth.
- The hygienist works tooth by tooth to refine and brighten the enamel.
Polishing not only brightens your teeth, but it also makes for easier maintenance between visits. Once your teeth are polished, the cleaning wraps up with expert flossing and, if needed, a fluoride treatment for extra support.
Final Touches and Dentist’s Review
Every dental cleaning at Scott Edwards DDS wraps up with a few important steps that bring everything together. These finishing touches not only leave your mouth feeling fresh but also give the doctors a clear picture of your overall oral health.
A Thorough Flossing
Your hygienist will carefully floss between every tooth, even the hard-to-reach spots. This helps remove any leftover plaque or debris that brushing and scaling may have missed. It also gives them a final chance to check for any signs of gum irritation, bleeding, or tight contacts between teeth.
Rinse and Refresh
Next, you may be offered a fluoride rinse or an antibacterial mouthwash to complete the clean. This step leaves your mouth feeling minty fresh and helps reduce bacteria buildup after the cleaning. It’s quick, simple, and effective.
Dentist’s Final Review
Once the cleaning is complete, Dr. Scott Edwards, Dr. Julia Prince, or Dr. Clayton Myers will examine your teeth and gums. They’ll look for early signs of decay, enamel wear, gum recession, or anything out of the ordinary. You’ll also have time to ask questions or mention any concerns. From there, they’ll share next steps if treatment is needed, or give you the all-clear until your next visit.
With your cleaning complete and a personalized checkup from one of the doctors, you’ll walk out with a fresh start and a better understanding of your oral health. Up next, let’s cover how often you should schedule cleanings and what to expect between visits.
How Often Should You Schedule Cleanings?
Consistency is the not-so-secret weapon behind healthier teeth and gums. For most people, a professional dental cleaning every six months keeps things on track. The team at Scott Edwards DDS uses these visits to:
- Remove tartar and plaque buildup
- Catch early signs of decay or gum disease
- Monitor existing restorations or dental work
- Keep your oral health plan up to date
Who Might Need More Frequent Cleanings?
Some patients may benefit from more than two cleanings a year. You might be one of them if you have:
- A history of gum disease
- Braces or other orthodontic appliances
- Ongoing dental restorations
- Certain medical conditions that affect oral health
In between visits, daily brushing, flossing, and limiting stain-prone foods will help maintain that freshly polished feel.
From Plaque to Polished!
With regular visits to Scott Edwards DDS in Midtown and East Memphis, Dr. Scott Edwards, Dr. Julia Prince, and Dr. Clayton Myers help you keep your teeth healthy and your routine on track. Skip the guessing game with your oral health and get the clarity (and sparkle) that only a professional cleaning can bring. Your next fresh start is just a call or click away; schedule your appointment today!