February 23, 2022
Preventive Dentistry

What Is Involved In A Dental Cleaning?

We know that dental cleaning appointments are not the most highly anticipated event of your day, your week, your month, or even your year. But professional dental cleaning is an important part of dental and preventive care for several reasons.

Firstly, dental cleaning helps to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Secondly, it helps to keep your teeth looking clean and healthy. Finally, it can help to prevent bad breath. It's important to go to the dental office every six months to get a dental cleaning, even if you're taking proper care of your teeth at home. Getting your teeth professionally cleaned is even more important for your dental health if you haven't seen a dentist in a while. If you haven't been to a dentist in a couple of years during the pandemic and want to get back on track with maintaining your oral health, professional dental cleaning is a must. 

In this blog, we'll walk through the whole dental cleaning process with you so there are no surprises and everything goes smoothly. Without further ado, here are the steps to a professional dental cleaning appointment:

What Is Involved In A Dental Cleaning?

What Are The Benefits Of Professional Teeth Cleaning?

Read about the benefits of professional teeth cleaning in detail here.

5 Steps Of Dental Cleaning:

Physical Exam:

Dental cleanings begin with a dental hygienist performing a physical exam. This is a crucial step in evaluating your teeth before proceeding with a dental cleaning. Throughout this physical exam, you'll likely see the dental hygienist using a small mirror to check for signs of gingivitis or other potential infections and if any are detected then it may be decided that the dentist must also inspect your mouth.

What Are The Benefits Of Professional Teeth Cleaning?

Read about the benefits of professional teeth cleaning in detail here.

What Are The Benefits Of Professional Teeth Cleaning?

Read about the benefits of professional teeth cleaning in detail here.

John Dudley
John Dudley
January 20, 2022
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I could not be any more fortunate and grateful for Dr. George Orfaly accepting me recently as a new patient! I switched over from my previous provider in a nearby community after receiving subpar care and at risk of losing two teeth. He and the entire team at Fisher & Orfaly Dental have made my transition a smooth and comfortable one, setting me at ease and swiftly on the path to a promising prognosis! I also know that both Dr. Orfaly and Dr. Fisher care a great deal about the community beyond the walls of their practice, too, both quite supportive of local nonprofit and charitable efforts. This all makes me feel wonderful about being a patient, one of the best decisions I've ever made. You and your family should consider switching to Fisher & Orfaly!

William Stewart
William Stewart
January 20, 2022
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Needed a new dentist in Salem, picked Dr. Orfaly by location. I met him before agreeing to my first appointment, and so far, have been very happy. I'm a curious sob, and credit Dr Orfaly for being patient with my atmospheric river of questions. He knows how to relate to patients, and seems to be on top of his game. Highly recommend.

Carol Gray
Carol Gray
October 21, 2020
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Everything about my dental experience is professional and considerate.

Peter Gaudreault
Peter Gaudreault
August 5, 2020
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Made you feel comfortable, right from the start. Definitely five stars found my new dentist!

Ed Schutte
Ed Schutte
January 10, 2020
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I have been a patient of Fisher & Orfaly for many years now. But recently, my whole family moved to the practice. Their approach has always been kind, caring and practical.

John Dudley
John Dudley
January 20, 2022
Star-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-rating

I could not be any more fortunate and grateful for Dr. George Orfaly accepting me recently as a new patient! I switched over from my previous provider in a nearby community after receiving subpar care and at risk of losing two teeth. He and the entire team at Fisher & Orfaly Dental have made my transition a smooth and comfortable one, setting me at ease and swiftly on the path to a promising prognosis! I also know that both Dr. Orfaly and Dr. Fisher care a great deal about the community beyond the walls of their practice, too, both quite supportive of local nonprofit and charitable efforts. This all makes me feel wonderful about being a patient, one of the best decisions I've ever made. You and your family should consider switching to Fisher & Orfaly!

William Stewart
William Stewart
January 20, 2022
Star-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-rating

Needed a new dentist in Salem, picked Dr. Orfaly by location. I met him before agreeing to my first appointment, and so far, have been very happy. I'm a curious sob, and credit Dr Orfaly for being patient with my atmospheric river of questions. He knows how to relate to patients, and seems to be on top of his game. Highly recommend.

Carol Gray
Carol Gray
October 21, 2020
Star-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-rating

Everything about my dental experience is professional and considerate.

Peter Gaudreault
Peter Gaudreault
August 5, 2020
Star-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-rating

Made you feel comfortable, right from the start. Definitely five stars found my new dentist!

Ed Schutte
Ed Schutte
January 10, 2020
Star-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-ratingStar-rating

I have been a patient of Fisher & Orfaly for many years now. But recently, my whole family moved to the practice. Their approach has always been kind, caring and practical.

Removal Of Plaque And Tartar:

When the dental hygienist is ready to move on, you'll notice the small mirror being utilized as guidance for other tools, including scalers (the type of tool with heads that look similar to hooks or question marks), which are used in removing plaque and tartar. Tartar can only be removed with the expertise and instruments of a dentist. That's why, you need to brush and floss frequently, to reduce the risk for plaque and tartar formation.

Cleaning:

Once your teeth are free of plaque and tartar, your dental hygienist will use a high-powered electric toothbrush to scrub and polish your teeth. The gritty consistency of the toothpaste helps further cleanse, while also enhancing a deep dental cleaning. While brushing your teeth, the dental hygienist will likely instruct you to rinse out all of that debris from between each tooth. If this type of deep dental cleaning is done carelessly or more than a few times it can wear down the enamel of your teeth. That is why it is best to get it done professionally twice a year.

Flossing:

Of course, to take proper care of your teeth you're supposed to floss at least once daily, twice if you can manage. However, there's nothing quite like a flossing session from an experienced professional. A dental hygienist can clean your mouth from different angles, easily locating potential troublespots during deeper cleanings. This helps remove any lingering plaque or toothpaste from the toothpaste cleaning. Just like with toothpaste cleaning, the dental hygienist will likely instruct you to rinse out your mouth after flossing.

Fluoride Treatment:

You might be offered a fluoride treatment at the end of your dental cleaning session. Fluoride treatments are a major part of preventive dentistry and are used to protect your teeth even more and prevent them from ever developing cavities.

Dental cleanings are a preventive measure that helps to maintain good oral health. Professional dental cleanings begin with a dental hygienist performing a physical exam followed by removing plaque and tartar, cleaning your teeth, flossing, and sometimes applying fluoride treatments. Make sure you get regular professional dental cleanings because they’re important for maintaining a healthy smile while also preventing tooth decay and gum disease! Most dental insurance policies cover the full cost of at least two dental cleanings per year, as dental cleaning is considered to be a preventive dentistry procedure. So you can get your teeth professionally cleaned without worrying about the cost!

Each dental practice may perform a dental cleaning slightly differently. If you ever have any questions about what is going on in or around your mouth, don’t be afraid to ask your dentist.

If you want more information about how we provide this service contact us or book an appointment with the dental office of Fisher & Orfaly Dental, Salem, MA today! At Fisher & Orfaly Dental Clinic, Salem, MA, our team provides the highest quality dental care, taking into consideration each patient’s unique needs and preferences, helping them achieve and maintain a sparkling smile.

Maura Murphy
Maura Murphy
January 24, 2022
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I was not a fan of going to the dentist! One might say afraid… but thanks to the amazing team at Fisher & Orfaly I am back on track with my 6 month cleanings. The team did an amazing job calming my fears and I can actually say I may even enjoy going to the dentist now! The team is professional, accommodating, and they do a fabulous job cleaning my teeth! I am so grateful that they have me back on track with great dental habits. They certainly have given me something to smile about.

Corbin Bettencourt
Corbin Bettencourt
January 24, 2022
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Who likes to go to the dentist? Fear no more. Dr. Orfaly and his staff provide an environment of ease and professionalism that relieve the jitters that so many feel during visits to the dentist. Whether a routine check up or more complex procedure, our experiences have been most positive.

Jacqueline Traynor
Jacqueline Traynor
May 19, 2021
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I am someone who has been terrified of the Dentist from a very young age, but after seeing Dr. Orfaly and his team over the past couple of months I have 100% gotten over my fears. I have never felt more comfortable and taken care of by the staff. Everyone is so nice and down to earth they make you feel welcome! Dr. Orfaly even came in on a day they were closed because I was having extreme tooth pain, and he totally fixed the problem, I will never forget that. I’m so happy I decided to go to Fischer & Orfaly, best decision I’ve ever made!

Ashley Spencer
Ashley Spencer
April 1, 2021
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Dr Orfaly is the best dentist around! I have alot of anxiety around going to the dentist & Dr Orfaly always makes sure to check in to see how I'm doing & is so nice. If a referral is needed to a specialist, he makes the call for you & gets you an appt quickly (mine was even the same day) I love how they book you with the same dental hygienist for all cleanings.. Adds another level of comfort... Shoutout to mine, Kathy!! 😊

Martina Pena-Martes
Martina Pena-Martes
February 7, 2020
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Before coming to Fisher & Orflay my daughter hated coming to the dentist, she now looks forward to her appointments fully knowing and understanding every procedure being done. They make her visits pleasant each and every time, providing excellent service with the help of their friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Sam Smullin
Sam Smullin
January 22, 2020
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After many years of neglecting my my teeth due to fear of the dentist my dental issues got bad enough that I had no choice but to adress them. I randomly selected Fisher & Orfaly and am very glad that I did. Dr Orfaly did a great job while making sure I was as comfortable as possible.After completing the initial, extensive repairs my mouth looks and feels great. In the 10 years since I first visited I had had no new major work needed. Even better, I can walk into the office without that sense of dread that is familiar to so many people.

Dr. George Orfaly
Dr. George Orfaly, D.M.D.

About the author

Dr. George Orfaly is a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and has been practicing as a dentist in Salem, MA since 2005. He has consistently improved the lives of his patients by providing them relief, confidence, and healthy smiles. He believes that oral health is directly related to overall health and well-being. Dr. Orfaly has also been an active member of the American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, and North Shore District Dental Society.

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