The best way to maintain a healthy smile is to schedule dental cleanings every six months. While brushing and flossing your teeth at home is good for your oral health, you’ll need the help of one of our Grand Rapids dentists to remove hardened plaque (tartar). If left untreated, plaque buildup can increase your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, our team can remove plaque from teeth before you experience oral health issues.

Check for Obvious Oral Health Issues

First, our dental hygienist will examine your mouth for obvious signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or other oral health issues. If our hygienist finds a serious issue, they will pause the teeth cleaning to ask our dentist how to proceed.

Remove Plaque and Tartar

Next, we use a special dental tool called a scaler to gently scrape away plaque and tartar from your smile. If you notice our hygienist taking a longer time than usual on this step, this is a sign that you need to brush or floss more thoroughly.

Polish and Floss Teeth

Our hygienist uses a high-powered toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to polish your teeth. Once your teeth are polished, our hygienist will have you rinse. Next, our hygienist will expertly floss your teeth to remove any remaining dental plaque, toothpaste, or other debris.

Examine Teeth and Gums

The last step of your teeth cleaning is for our dentist to inspect your teeth and gums. Our dentist will also be able to answer any questions you might have about your oral health.

Schedule Your Next Cleaning

To schedule your next appointment with one of our Grand Rapids, MI, teeth cleaning dentists, call Contemporary Family Dental at (616) 209-3969, or contact us online.