Professional oral cleanings are generally performed by registered dental hygienists and are usually concluded following your initial oral examination. The cleaning process is mainly centered on eliminating the calculus also referred to as tartar. Tartar is plaque that has solidified over an extended period of time and is now firmly fixed onto the surface of the teeth. Calculus develops beneath and on top of the gum line and can only be taken out with specific dental tools.
Removing plaque is the very next step. The description of plaque is a slim sticky, see-through coating that forms on the exterior of the teeth. It's a colony of living microorganisms, saliva, and food particles. The bacterium irritate and inflame the gum tissues and are a prime indication of gum disease.
Polishing the teeth is the very last step of a professional cleaning. Polishing is able to get rid of plaque accruals and superficial surface stains that could not be removed with daily brushing methods.