Have you ever wondered what your dental hygienist is actually doing during your professional cleaning? If you’ve sat in the dental chair at Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch at 222 Oak Avenue, Toms River, you’ve probably heard the gentle scraping sounds and felt the rhythmic polishing, but understanding what’s happening can make the experience so much more comfortable and meaningful. We believe that when our patients know exactly what to expect, they feel more relaxed and confident about their oral health journey.
At Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch, we’re passionate about helping families and adults in Toms River maintain healthy, beautiful smiles through comprehensive preventive care. Professional dental cleanings are the foundation of excellent oral health, and our dental team takes pride in making every visit comfortable, informative, and genuinely pleasant. Whether you’re new to our practice or have been part of our dental family for years, we want you to understand why these routine appointments are so much more than just a quick polish.
Let’s take a closer look at what happens during your professional cleaning and why this simple appointment plays such a vital role in protecting your smile for years to come.
The Initial Examination: Your Dental Team’s First Step
Before any cleaning instruments touch your teeth, our experienced dentists and hygienists at Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch begin with a thorough examination of your entire mouth. This isn’t just a quick glance—we’re carefully checking your teeth, gums, tongue, and soft tissues for any signs of concern. Dr. Rakhee Patel and Dr. Monica Patel have trained our entire team to look for early warning signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and other conditions that are much easier to treat when caught early.
This examination phase is also when we measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth, which tells us how healthy your gums are. At our 222 Oak Avenue, Toms River location, we use the latest technology to ensure we don’t miss anything important. We’ll also ask about any changes in your health, medications, or concerns you might have—because your oral health is connected to your overall wellbeing, and we want the complete picture.
Scaling: Removing the Buildup You Can’t Reach at Home
Here’s where the real work begins. No matter how diligently you brush and floss at home, plaque naturally accumulates in hard-to-reach areas and eventually hardens into tartar (also called calculus). Once plaque becomes tartar, your toothbrush simply can’t remove it—this is where our dental team at Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch steps in.
Using specialized instruments called scalers, we carefully remove these deposits from above and below your gum line. You might hear scraping sounds during this process, which is completely normal. The amount of time this takes depends on how much buildup has accumulated since your last visit, which is why we recommend regular cleanings every six months. Our gentle, experienced approach at Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch ensures this process is as comfortable as possible.
If you have sensitive teeth or feel anxious about this part of the cleaning, please let us know! We can adjust our technique, use desensitizing agents, or simply take breaks as needed. Your comfort is always our priority at 222 Oak Avenue, Toms River.
Polishing: The Smooth, Fresh Finish
After all the tartar and plaque have been removed, our hygienists at Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch use a special polishing paste and a rotating brush to smooth and brighten your teeth. This isn’t just for aesthetics—polishing removes surface stains and creates a smooth surface that makes it harder for plaque to stick to your teeth before your next visit.
The gritty polishing paste comes in various flavors, and we’re happy to let you choose your favorite! This part of the cleaning process leaves your teeth feeling incredibly smooth and clean—that fresh-from-the-dentist feeling that nothing else quite replicates.
Flossing and Fluoride: The Finishing Touches
Even if you floss regularly at home (and we hope you do!), professional flossing by our dental team allows us to check for any bleeding or sensitive areas between your teeth. We can also show you proper flossing techniques if you’d like tips on improving your home care routine.
Finally, many patients at Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch benefit from a fluoride treatment, which strengthens your tooth enamel and provides extra protection against cavities. This quick, painless treatment takes just a few minutes and can make a significant difference in your oral health, especially if you’re prone to decay or have areas of early demineralization.
Why Regular Cleanings Matter for Your Long-Term Health
Professional cleanings at our Toms River practice aren’t just about keeping your smile bright—though that’s certainly a wonderful benefit! These appointments allow our dentists to catch small problems before they become painful, expensive issues. A tiny cavity spotted early might need just a simple filling, while one that goes undetected could eventually require a root canal or even tooth loss.
Additionally, research continues to show connections between gum disease and serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. By maintaining healthy gums through regular professional cleanings, you’re investing in your overall health, not just your teeth.
Schedule Your Next Cleaning at Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch
Now that you know exactly what happens during a professional dental cleaning, we hope you feel more confident about scheduling your next appointment! At Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch, located at 222 Oak Avenue, Toms River, our friendly team is ready to provide the gentle, comprehensive care you and your family deserve.
Whether it’s been six months or six years since your last cleaning, there’s no judgment here—only genuine care and support for improving your oral health. Our experienced dentists and hygienists work with patients of all ages and comfort levels, creating personalized experiences that address your unique needs and concerns.
Don’t wait until you have pain or problems to visit us. Preventive care is always easier, more comfortable, and more affordable than emergency treatment. Call Dentistry With A Woman’s Touch today at 732-736-0800 to schedule your professional cleaning, or stop by our welcoming office at 222 Oak Avenue in Toms River. We can’t wait to help you achieve and maintain the healthy, confident smile you deserve!