CLEANING & EXAM

Poor oral health can impact your general health over time. Bad cavities and gum disease might start in the mouth, but left untreated, they can allow oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect the rest of your body. A lifetime of poor dental health has been linked to heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.

Some patients may only need one deep cleaning. However, many patients require regular appointments every three or four months. Periodontitis can’t be reversed or cured, so it will need frequent treatment to keep your gum disease in check. Multiple deep cleanings a year can prevent jawbone and tooth loss as we keep the gums’ pockets from filling and the gums from receding again.

Since deep cleanings go further to comprehensively remove plaque and tartar, the process can be more uncomfortable than a regular dental cleaning. We will numb the gums with a gel and local anesthetic so you won’t feel a thing during your deep cleaning appointments.

Some patients may feel like their teeth become looser after a dental cleaning, especially with a deep cleaning. However, these treatments do not loosen from the cleaning itself but because the teeth were already loose. Deep cleanings remove debris and buildup between your teeth and gums, which may have been masking looseness caused by gum disease. With the plaque and tartar gone, this padding disappears and reveals the truth about your oral health.

During your exam appointment, our dentists will take comprehensive X-rays, scans, and images of your smile to get a total look at your teeth, jaws, and gums. Our dental hygienists will also gently scrape your teeth clean of built-up plaque and bacteria. We can also perform additional services after your appointment upon request, such as professional teeth whitening.