Why Does The Hygienist Scrape Your Teeth During A Cleaning?

During a dental cleaning, you might notice that your hygienist is scraping your teeth a lot. This can be alarming at first, but it's for a good reason. This scraping serves an essential purpose.

As uncomfortable as a dental cleaning may be, it can help you a lot in the long run. These are some of the reasons why your dental hygienist may be scraping your teeth.

Scraping Removes Plaque

Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria. This substance can cause cavities and gum disease if it's not removed. Plaque forms on teeth pretty quickly, so it's important to remove it regularly.

Your hygienist will scrape away plaque from your teeth using a small, curved tool called a scaler. The scaler helps to get rid of plaque that's hard to reach with a toothbrush.

Scraping Removes Tartar

Tartar is a hardened form of plaque. It can only be removed with special tools. If left untreated, tartar can lead to gum disease as well as tooth decay.

Tartar can be difficult to remove at home, so it's important to have a professional remove it during a cleaning. Your hygienist will use the scaler, and it may require more force to remove tartar than plaque.

Scraping Helps Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the gums. It can cause gum tissue to break down and pull away from your teeth. This can eventually lead to tooth loss. Plaque and tartar contribute to gum disease.

Scraping Can Help Your Breath Smell Better

If you have bad breath, it could be due to plaque and tartar. Bacteria can cause your breath to smell bad. By removing plaque and tartar, you can help get rid of bad breath.

What If it Feels Like the Hygienist Is Scraping More Than Usual?

If you're noticing that your hygienist is scraping your teeth more than usual, don't be alarmed. It's likely that they're just being extra thorough.

However, if you're concerned, be sure to ask your hygienist about it. You may find that there is one area of your mouth you tend to miss when you brush or floss. You can take care to brush those areas more thoroughly in the future.

Schedule Your Dental Cleaning

It's important to have regular dental cleanings to remove plaque and tartar. This can help prevent cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and more. Make an appointment for a dental cleaning to make sure that your teeth are getting the care they need.

Reach out to a clinic like Midtown Family Dentistry for more information on dental cleanings.