Cleanings
Grand Junction, CO
 Potential discomfort in the jaw, strange noises, and the risk of unfavorable dental exam results have made many people afraid to go to the dentist. However, for most people, dental cleaning is not just bearable but painless. The procedure becomes a lot less stressful once you know what will happen.
Physical Examination
Before we clean your teeth, we usually perform a physical exam for the entire mouth. Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD will use a small mirror to look for problems like gum inflammation (gingivitis). If we find anything serious, that may affect how and whether we proceed with the cleaning.
Removing Plaque and Tartar
If you neglect to brush your teeth, the plaque thereon will continue to build and harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, only a dentist can get rid of it.
If any plaque or tartar has built up between your teeth or around the gum line, Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD will use the small mirror and a scaler to remove it. It is normal to hear a scraping sound during this part of the cleaning. If there’s more tartar built up in your mouth, we will need more time to remove it. Make sure to brush and floss twice a day to prevent the formation of tartar and plaque.
Cleaning with Electric Brush and Gritty Toothpaste
Once we’ve removed all of the tartar from your teeth, we will deep clean your teeth and remove any tartar that the scaler may have left. For the deep cleaning, we will use a high-powered electric toothbrush and a gritty toothpaste.
This special toothpaste resembles normal toothpaste in taste and scent, but you can choose from a variety of flavors. Polishing your teeth in this manner is safe when a professional does it biannually, but you shouldn’t brush your teeth this roughly yourself. Doing so will weaken the enamel.
Professional Flossing
Even if you floss your teeth as often as you should, we’ll still mandate professional flossing. Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD can penetrate deep between teeth and pinpoint any spots that may become problematic or parts of the gums that could bleed. This expert flossing session will also get rid of any plaque or toothpaste that might remain from previous stages of the procedure. We will then have you rinse out your mouth to remove any residue.
Additional Steps
We like our patients to come in for professional cleanings biannually, while x-rays are usually only taken annually. However, depending on your dental plan and what Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD finds during the dental exam and oral cancer screening, we may need to carry out other exams while you’re here. For instance, children may need dental sealants on their molars to prevent cavities from forming in those hard-to-reach areas.
However, even if you don’t need any further exams, the important thing is to practice good oral hygiene and keep coming back for exams and cleanings once every six months. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day and avoid foods and drinks high in sugar. By this means, you can prevent dental problems that will require detailed and costly intervention.
For more information, please contact our office at (970) 812-3959. |
Hours
(970) 812-3959 
Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD