Warren Dentistry is now Westview Dentistry. New name, same great team!

Dental Cleaning

FAQ


Is a dental cleaning painful?
Modern dental cleanings are designed to be safe and pain-free. Westview Dentistry uses advanced tools like sonic and ultrasonic scalers to make the process more comfortable than traditional methods.
How often should I get a dental cleaning?
Most dentists recommend getting a dental cleaning every six months to prevent cavities, gum disease, and tartar buildup. Your dentist may suggest more frequent cleanings if you have specific oral health concerns.
Can brushing and flossing at home replace dental cleanings?
No, even with good brushing, flossing, and rinsing habits, plaque and tartar can build up in hard-to-reach areas. Professional cleanings use specialized tools to safely remove what home care can't.

What Is a Dental Cleaning?

A dental cleaning is a professional teeth cleaning performed by a dentist or hygienist to remove plaque, tartar, and stains that brushing and flossing can’t eliminate. Regular dental cleanings help prevent cavities, gum disease (gingivitis), and tooth decay. At Westview Dentistry, deep cleanings provide extra protection to keep your teeth healthy, clean, and cavity-free.

Why Teeth Cleaning Is So Important

Even the best dental hygiene routine doesn’t guarantee your mouth and teeth are completely free of germs and tartar. Home toothbrushes, floss and dental rinse can only do so much. In fact, being too aggressive in your home regimen can do more harm than good. When it comes to a safe, pain-free dental cleaning, Fort Worth residents come to Westview Dentistry to keep teeth clean and healthy.

– During a typical dental cleaning, the teeth are scaled to remove any plaque on the tooth and under the gum line that regular brushing and flossing can’t reach. The process can be done using sonic and ultrasonic scales, replacing the hand scales that made teeth cleaning painful in the past.

– A dental polishing is done along the gum line to prevent future plaque buildup. After the cleaning, the patient rinses out with water or a dental rinse.

Following your visit with the dentist and hygienist, you’ll receive home care instructions on how to protect your teeth and gums from gum disease and infection. Good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups and healthy eating habits can prevent gingivitis and periodontitis, making every regular dental cleaning less painful and less invasive.

Professional Cleaning

A Registered Dental Hygienist performs professional dental cleanings. Each cleaning appointment includes:

Oral Hygiene Instruction: Instruction includes review of brushing and flossing techniques along with tips on how to reach the commonly missed areas.

Removal of Plaque: Plaque adheres to the teeth and over time and becomes calculus (tartar). It is difficult to see, and the bacteria that reside in the plaque produce toxins that cause inflammation in the gums and other tissue. This inflammation is the beginning of periodontal disease.

Removal of Calculus (tartar): As plaque gets old it hardens into calculus. It can form on the tooth above and below the gum line. Calculus cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. It requires special dental instruments to be removed.

Tooth Polishing: Plaque and stains are removed by polishing in areas where brushing and flossing are not effective.

We also offer teeth whitening services in Fort Worth and the greater area to supplement regular cleanings and give your teeth that extra sparkle. Keep that million dollar smile bright with Westview Dentistry.

For more information on dental cleanings, read our blog on Why You Should Prioritize Preventative Care.

Dental Cleaning

Table of Contents

How do I know if I need a night guard?

Many people grind or clench their teeth while during the day or sleeping. If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or notice that your teeth are wearing down or cracking, you may need a night guard. A consultation with your dentist is the best way to determine if a custom night guard could benefit you.

Why are night guards important?

Preventive care is key to maintaining healthy teeth. Preventative dentistry includes things like regular at-home hygiene, exams by your dentist, oral cancer screenings, and dental x-rays. But one commonly overlooked tool for prevention is a custom night guard. Night guards are a simple yet powerful dental appliance designed to protect your teeth from damage caused by clenching or grinding while you sleep.

People who subconsciously grind or clench their teeth during sleep suffer from a condition known as bruxism, often caused by stress or tension. 

How do I know if I’m grinding or clenching while asleep?

Many people with bruxism only become aware of their condition once they or their dentist notice the signs. Upon waking up, you may have headaches or jaw pain. At your dental visit, your dentist may see abnormal tooth wear, shortening or flattening of teeth, cracked/ fractured teeth or fillings, or gum recession.

The best protection against bruxism is a custom-made professional night guard. A custom night guard is designed specifically for you using advanced 3D imaging technology. Made from a thin, clear acrylic material, a professional night guard provides a comfortable fit and protects your upper and lower teeth. 

While a night guard won’t stop teeth grinding, it can significantly reduce its dangerous effects. By creating a barrier between your teeth, night guards prevent damage caused by grinding and reduce the pressure on your jaw muscles.

What are the long-term consequences of bruxism?

If left untreated, night time clenching and grinding can lead to serious problems with your oral health, like:

  • Temporomandibular Disorder – TMD occurs when there is a problem with one or both jaw joints, producing pain, limited joint mobility, clicking or popping sounds in the joints, or locking of the joints. 
  • Cracked or chipped teeth – Cracks and chips create pathways for bacteria to enter the tooth and reach the nerve, causing infection and potential abscess formation. 
  • Tooth sensitivity – Sensitive teeth can significantly impact your quality of life and make it difficult to eat and chew without pain.
  • Gum recession – Gum recession creates pockets between the teeth and gums, which can lead to plaque and tartar buildup, inflammation, and gum infections. Over time, severe gum recession can cause teeth to loosen and shift out of place.

These conditions will become more severe over time and may require costly treatment to restore your oral health to proper function. A custom night guard offers long-term protection against damage or dental trauma. By preventing wear and tear on your teeth, you can save time, money, and discomfort.

Next Steps:

Remember, preventive care is the foundation of great oral health, and a custom night guard could be the perfect step to protect your smile.

We’re here to provide personalized care so your smile stays healthy for years to come. If you may be experiencing headaches, jaw pain, or signs of tooth damage caused by clenching or grinding, please schedule an appointment with our team today.

Questions or Concerns?

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your dental care, we are more than happy to discuss how you can achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.

As a top dentist in Fort Worth, we have helped hundreds of families achieve their oral health goals and are eager to help you and your family do the same.