Gum disease that has advanced beyond the early stages is known as periodontitis, which affects the bones and tissues that hold the teeth in place. This can cause the gums to recede and pockets to form between the teeth and gums. It's difficult to give an exact answer to this question, as it depends on the severity of the gum disease. Depending on the situation, you may need a one-hour office visit or a two-hour appointment; some patients may even require multiple visits, as we may decide it's best to examine one quadrant of the mouth at a time.
When you come in for a consultation, we can let you know what to expect. The cleaning process with scraping and root smoothing is similar to preventive cleaning, but it also cleans gum pockets and tooth root surfaces. If you're worried about the length of your dental cleaning due to sensitive teeth, gums, or a gag reflex, there are additional steps your hygienist can take to make you comfortable. It's recommended that you have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year in order to reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
The amount of time it takes for a dental cleaning depends on how much plaque and tartar has built up in the mouth, how long it's been since your last checkup, and even the equipment your dental hygienist uses. To prevent plaque and tartar buildup, professional dental cleanings are recommended every six months. But the only way to improve them is to eliminate the source of bacteria that cause discomfort, which is why dental cleanings are so important. Unfortunately, tartar cannot be removed at home; professional dental cleanings are the only way to get rid of this harmful tartar.
It's incredible how a dental cleaning session can keep your teeth free from plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay. Known as macroscopic debridement cleaning, this cleaning is used when there is a significant accumulation of tartar that cannot be removed with a dental scraper alone. Most of the time, when someone wants to know how long a dental cleaning should last, they probably have questions about whether their hygienist did a good job or not and if they were hasty in and out. Undoubtedly, the most important factor that influences the length of the dental cleaning appointment is the amount of tartar that accumulates on the teeth.
In some cases, your hygienist may recommend fluoride treatment at the end of the dental cleaning process. Generally speaking, most people will only need preventive dental cleaning when they visit their dentist and can get in and out of the dentist's office in about an hour. The duration of your cleaning appointment will depend mainly on the current state of your teeth and gums, as well as the type of cleaning that is needed. People who have only a slight buildup on their teeth are physically easier to clean, so their dental cleaning appointment doesn't take as long.