What do dentists exactly do to your teeth when you go for a cleaning?

We clean them.: When you go to the dentist for a cleaning, we clean your teeth. Generally we start with an ultrasonic machine that knocks the bigger pieces of tartar (calcified colonies of bacteria!). The next step is to use instruments to remove whatever tartar remains (this is the “scraping”) and lastly we polish your teeth with some mild abrasive powder.

Not just a cleaning: During your routine visit for a cleaning, your mouth is examined for signs of oral cancer. Your teeth are checked for cavities. The existing fillings and crowns are checked for cracks, or decay under them, some x-rays may be necessary. Gums are checked for bleeding areas and we look for signs of any medical problems. The plaque buildup is removed from your teeth and they are polished.