What is one action to take after completing coronal polishing?

After completing coronal polishing, the recommended action is to floss the teeth. This step is important because coronal polishing primarily cleans the surfaces of the teeth, removing plaque and stains. However, plaque can still remain in the interproximal areas, which are the spaces between the teeth that a toothbrush may not effectively clean. Flossing helps ensure that these areas are also free from debris and plaque, contributing to overall oral hygiene and health.

The other options, while relevant to dental care, do not address the immediate need to clean the interproximal areas after polishing. For instance, applying fluoride treatment may provide additional protection to the teeth, but it should ideally follow flossing to ensure fluoride can effectively bond to clean surfaces. Rinsing the patient’s mouth only with water may remove some loose particles but does not actively clean the interproximal areas or the surfaces between the teeth. Polishing the teeth again would be redundant if the objective is to ensure complete cleaning and thorough dental hygiene after the initial polishing. Therefore, flossing is the most logical and effective action following coronal polishing.