Dentists generally recommend having your teeth cleaned and scaled every six months.
Expenses are subject to change based on teeth condition, geographical location and the type of treatment needed. Children are eligible for free basic dental care, including cleaning, check-up, sealing and root canal if the child’s parents or legal guardian have a relevant Australian Government payment, private health insurance, or the Family Tax Benefit.
The estimated cost of teeth cleaning in different states, including the cost check up, of x-rays, comprehensive examination, and removal of tartar, are below.
Location | Average cost |
|---|---|
New South Wales | $262 |
Victoria | $272 |
Queensland | $259 |
Western Australia | $264 |
South Australia | $270 |
Tasmania | $284 |
Australian Capital Territory | $307 |
Northern Territory | $303 |
Patients having private health insurance covering dental care insurance can get about 40% to 50% back from the total medical treatment cost.
The most basic type of dental cleaning takes at least 30 minutes to an hour for completion. The total required time is subject to change according to the patient’s current gum and teeth condition and the type of cleaning needed. Additional procedures such as X-rays can increase the cleaning time. Dental cleaning is highly advisable once every six months. A physical examination performed by a dental hygienist or the dentist to check around the teeth and gum for major and minor issues takes between 15- 30 minutes. Different type of dental check up and clean performed by a dentist includes:
Prophylaxis cleaning
Scaling and root planing
Gross debridement
Most people need a general type of preventive dental check up and clean, which includes Prophylaxis, scaling and root cleaning that can be done in an hour. A few days after completing the process, the dentist will give the patient a final check-up session lasting 30 minutes or less.
Based on the current gum and teeth situation, the level of pain and discomfort during a dental cleaning can vary. The process is almost pain-free for people with no oral health issue. Patients with some gum infection will experience pain. The most sensitive part of the teeth is the roots. When gum disease makes the tissues pull back, it makes the root surfaces vulnerable to changes in temperature and microscopic organisms. During the treatment, cleaning the tartar and plaque causes significant discomfort and pain (in some cases). Patients with the following oral health issues are more likely to experience pain and or discomfort:
Inflammation in the gums or gum disease
Tooth decay
Heavy tartar build-up
Sensitivity problems
To numb the area, the dentist makes the treatment less painful or even painless by using the below.
Use of local anaesthesia to numb the patient's gum.
Using topical anaesthetic gel but it is less effective than local anaesthetic.
Nitrogenous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is also used to relieve patients' stress and anxiety before treatment.
The step-by-step teeth cleaning process includes the following.
The dentist or a dental hygienist performs a physical examination or check up of the entire mouth with tiny mirrors. They will check up, observe, and look for major or minor oral issues like gum infection and more.
The dental hygienist removes plaque present between the teeth and or along the gum line with medical equipment called a “scaler”. This process consumes time depending on the tartar amount. Regular brushing and flossing helps get rid of plaque that hardens to become tartar.
The dental hygienist brushes the teeth with a high-powered toothpaste that tastes and smell like a regular one. It has gritty consistency that polishes the teeth to remove any leftover plaque and or tartar.
The professional may take and check up x-rays before and during the cleaning to analyse the jaw and teeth alignment over time.
At the end of the cleaning process, fluoride is applied to the teeth to strengthen the enamel, which helps teeth fight against cavities. Fluoride treatment is highly effective against tooth decay and the results are visible for several weeks or perhaps months (in some cases).
Dental cleaning and scaling are how a dentist removes and completely eliminates the bacteria touching the tooth's root or hiding in the gum line. It is a standard procedure designed to be a part of a person's oral hygiene routine to keep the teeth and mouth healthy and clean, eliminating the risk of tooth decay and or cavities.
The procedure involves a dentist using special dental equipment called an “electronic scalar” and or an “ultrasonic scaler” to get rid of tartar. The scaler vibrates at high speed, which is enough to deep clean the teeth without causing any damage to the mouth. As the ultrasonic scaler vibrates, it transmits a jet of water. The blend of an electric scaler and spray of water serves to viably scrap away and clean the debris stuck between the teeth. Hand scaler is another tool used by dentists to fine clean the hard-to-reach spots in the mouth.
It is the last step of dental cleaning and scaling. The dental hygienist polishes the teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
The complete scaling and cleaning process consumes at most 1 hour, while most cases require 30 minutes under normal circumstances. Even though the treatment causes minor discomfort, the professional will numb the mouth to prevent the patient from feeling the pain. The dentist recommends having cleaning and scaling done once every six months. Regular check ups are advisable. Dental cleaning and scaling are essential because untreated tartar or plaque can invite gum infection and significant dental issues.