Preventive and Family Care
Dental Cleanings and Hygiene
A professional cleaning removes what brushing cannot reach and gives us a regular look at your gums. The interval is set by your own risk, not by a formula.
What it is
Plaque hardens into tartar, and tartar cannot be brushed away. A hygiene visit removes it from above and just below the gumline, then polishes the surfaces so plaque takes longer to build up again.
The visit is also a check. Gum measurements are recorded and compared with previous visits, so a change shows up as a trend rather than a surprise.
We try to keep you with the same hygienist. Continuity means someone knows what your mouth looked like last time without reading it off a chart.
Who it is for
- You are due for a routine cleaning.
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss.
- You have not seen a hygienist in a while.
- You want your recall interval reviewed honestly.
- You are starting other treatment and want a clean baseline.
- You are a new patient joining the practice.
What to expect
Review
We look at your history and any changes since the last visit, including medications that affect the mouth.
Measurements
Gum pockets are measured and charted. This is the number that tells us whether things are stable.
Cleaning and polish
Tartar is removed and the surfaces polished. Fluoride is applied where it is appropriate for you.
Home care plan
Advice is based on what we actually saw in your mouth, not a generic handout, and the next interval is agreed with you.
Questions we hear most
It depends on your gum health, your habits, and your history. We recommend an interval and explain the reasoning rather than defaulting to one for everybody.
Tell us if you are sensitive and we will work around it. There are options for numbing and for taking the appointment more slowly.
It is common, but it is a sign worth taking seriously. Bleeding usually points to inflammation, and that is treatable.
Not every time. We will tell you when an exam is due and you can book them together to save a trip.
Talk it through with a dentist before you commit to anything.
Bring your questions to a consultation. We will explain what we see and what the options are, and nothing gets booked until you decide it should.