The five steps involved in dental cleanings at Westwood Dentistry

1. The Meet-and-Greet with our Special Tools. Your dental hygienist uses a tool called a scaler. Its job? To gently scrape away all that stubborn plaque and tartar that’s made itself too cozy around your teeth and gumline. Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds—it’s like giving your teeth a deep-clean bath. If you hear some scraping sounds, that’s a sign of progress!
2. A Good Polish with the Spinning Toothbrush. Next comes the polishing superstar—a high-powered electric toothbrush! It whirs and spins with a special gritty toothpaste (it feels sandy but works wonders) to scrub away leftover plaque and make your teeth sparkle. This is where any stains or discoloration get their eviction notice. Plus, it leaves your teeth feeling ‘oh-so-smooth’ like glass!
3. Rinse and Repeat! Once your teeth are cleaner than a freshly washed window, you’ll get a quick rinse. Most dentists use a little nozzle to spray water into your mouth, flushing away any remaining debris or paste. You’ll then swish and spit into the tiny sink, and bam—your mouth feels refreshed already.
4. Gum Health Check. This part is like a mini checkup for your gums. Using a small tool, your hygienist measures the depth of the pockets around your teeth to ensure your gums are healthy and firm. It’s like taking a quick pulse to ensure all is well in the gum zone. Healthy gums = a happy mouth.
5. Flossing. Nothing compares to a professional flossing session, regardless of how often you floss at home. To find any possible issue locations where you can bleed at the gums, we can reach deep between your teeth.

If you floss at home, this may seem useless, but having your teeth professionally flossed removes any toothpaste or plaque that may have gotten on them earlier in the cleaning procedure.

Drs. Monica Anand and Anshuman Rawat of Westwood Dentistry believe in providing the care needed to achieve and maintain oral health for life. If you are due for a professional dental cleaning to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth, we invite you to call our office for an appointment. We are conveniently located at 327 Washington Street and can be reached by dialing (781) 514-6443.