Teeth Cleaning

A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing cannot reach. A hygienist or dentist scrapes and polishes your teeth, and the team looks over your gums and mouth. Many people need a cleaning twice a year. Your dentist sets the schedule for you based on your gum health and cavity risk.

Request an appointment Call (636) 273-5866

Tartar needs a professional

NIDCR says only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar, the hardened form of plaque.

Different cleanings for different needs

A routine cleaning is for healthy gums. A deeper cleaning treats gum disease below the gumline.

Your schedule is personal

Most people benefit from cleanings about every six months. Some need them more often. Ask your dentist.

A checkup comes with it

The visit often includes a look at your teeth, gums and mouth, and sometimes x-rays when they are needed.

Dental exams begin with the growth of our first teeth and continue for every year to come. An appointment with the dentist regularly ensures the longevity of our teeth and gums. Scheduled cleanings are required every six months in order to maintain proper dental health. Biannual maintenance through cleanings at Town Center Dental will keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.

Additionally, cleanings are an extremely important part of preventative dentistry. Preventative dentistry keeps unwanted problems from occurring to your dental health. Prioritize your teeth and your future by scheduling another cleaning six months ahead of your last appointment.

What to Expect

A dental cleaning is a simple procedure usually performed by a dental hygienist. The only preparation required is making sure to schedule appointments within six-month intervals. During a cleaning, our dentist will remove plaque. Hardened plaque can only be removed by a dental professional. Excessive amounts of plaque cause bad breath and cavities. Flossing results in less plaque and is an important home practice.

During a cleaning, plaque will be removed using floss and other tools to scrape off plaque. Deep cleanings are available for patients with excessive plaque buildup but are not required unless advised by your dentist.

Another significant step is the physical examination. During a cleaning, you will receive a thorough physical exam of your mouth. Using a mirror and light enables our team to observe every crevice of the patient’s mouth for potential concerns. Any tooth or gum decay will be spotted during a cleaning; therefore it is important to receive them often. Our dentist will also x-ray your jaw once a year as part of the physical exam during a cleaning. A fluoride treatment is applied to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. For the final step of the cleaning, the teeth are polished with a paste that removes stains and makes them sparkle.

Why Cleanings are Necessary

Cleanings are important because they prevent our patients from losing teeth. More time between visits means more potential for problems to be overlooked. Biannual visits to a dentist for cleanings are necessary to ensure proper dental health. Seeing a dentist regularly will stop any unknown issue from growing worse. Problems such as cavities and stains will grow worse if left untreated. Leaving serious issues such as gum disease without treatment for months will result in more dental work. Once a serious problem starts, visits to the dentist will need to occur even more regularly. Receiving care early will prevent further damage and save your teeth. Additionally, dental health problems can affect other areas of health. Gum disease can lead to respiratory complications if untreated. Therefore, quality oral care is vital to our health overall.

Schedule Your Next Cleaning

Some patients fear the discomfort of a visit to the dentist. However, the benefits of a 30 to 60-minute cleaning will save patients from serious dental issues and potentially painful procedures.

Avoid dental problems by scheduling regular cleanings with our dentist. Please schedule your next cleaning with Town Center Dental by calling 636-273-5866. Let us be your trusted care provider and allow our dental professionals to help you be the healthiest version of yourself.

Types of dental cleaning

Type	Who it is for	What it involves
Routine cleaning (prophylaxis)	People with healthy teeth and gums	Scaling to remove plaque and tartar, then polishing
Deeper cleaning for heavy buildup (gross debridement)	People who have not visited recently or have heavy plaque	A more thorough first cleaning, often before a routine one
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)	People with gum disease	Cleaning under the gums and around the roots. Your dentist numbs the gums first.

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

Ask your dentist, because it depends on your mouth. Cleveland Clinic says most dentists recommend a cleaning every six months, and some people need cleanings more often. If you are prone to cavities or gum disease, your dentist may suggest a different schedule.

The point of the schedule is to catch problems early. The American Dental Association notes that checkups matter even without symptoms because they help prevent problems and treat existing ones before they advance.

If it has been a while, do not wait to feel pain. Call and tell the office how long it has been. You can read more in our blog post on how often to get your teeth cleaned. Cleanings also pair with a dental exam and an oral cancer screening. The glossary explains dental cleaning and plaque.

What happens during a cleaning?

There are two main steps. Cleveland Clinic says every cleaning includes scaling and polishing. In scaling, the hygienist or dentist removes plaque and tartar from your teeth with special tools, sometimes with a vibrating scaler that makes scraping sounds. In polishing, they use a soft rubber cup and special toothpaste.

The visit often includes a check of your gums and teeth, and sometimes x-rays. The American Dental Association says you may not need an X-ray at every visit, and that your dentist decides based on your history and an exam. See our guide to dental x-rays.

Afterward your teeth or gums may feel sensitive. Cleveland Clinic says this usually goes away in a few days. If it lasts, call the office. Tell your hygienist if you are nervous, and agree on a hand signal. The what to expect at a dental visit guide walks through a full checkup.

How do I know if I need a regular or a deep cleaning?

Your dentist decides after checking your gums. A routine cleaning suits healthy gums. A deep cleaning treats gum disease. The American Dental Association explains that if gum disease is caught early and has not damaged the structures below the gumline, a professional cleaning may be enough. If the pockets between the gums and teeth are too deep, scaling and root planing may be needed.

The dentist measures the spaces around each tooth with a small probe and looks at bleeding and bone loss on x-rays. Those numbers show what level of care fits.

If your gums bleed or look swollen, say so at your visit. Our blog posts on regular vs deep cleaning and bleeding gums after a cleaning cover what is common. For treatment details, see periodontal care and the gum disease guide. To book, request an appointment.

Questions about teeth cleaning

Read the guideWhat Happens at a Dental Exam and Cleaning

How often should you get your teeth cleaned by a dentist?

Cleveland Clinic says most dentists recommend a cleaning every six months, and some people need them more often. Your dentist sets the schedule based on your gum health, cavity risk and history. Ask at your next visit.

Does a dental cleaning hurt?

Cleveland Clinic says you might have sensitive teeth or sore gums afterward, and that this usually goes away in a few days. Tell your hygienist if you are nervous or if anything feels uncomfortable during the visit, and agree on a hand signal.

Do I need x-rays at every cleaning?

Not always. The American Dental Association says you may not need an X-ray at every visit. Your dentist reviews your history, examines your mouth, and decides whether an x-ray will give useful information.

What is the difference between a cleaning and a deep cleaning?

A routine cleaning is for healthy teeth and gums. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, treats gum disease below the gumline, and your dentist numbs the gums first. Your dentist measures your gums to decide which you need.

Can brushing and flossing replace a professional cleaning?

No. NIDCR says only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar. Daily brushing and flossing remove plaque before it hardens, and cleanings remove what you cannot. You need both.

Why do my gums bleed after a cleaning?

Gums that are inflamed can bleed when cleaned, especially after some time between visits. The American Dental Association says bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis. If bleeding continues, tell your dentist so the cause can be checked.

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Request an appointment Call (636) 273-5866