People who visit the dentist regularly for a checkup or cleaning generally have better overall oral health. Dental cleanings help ensure you don’t have any plaque buildup, cavities, or potential issues with periodontal disease.
But if you haven’t gone to your local dentist in a while (happens to the best of us) or haven’t tried going at all, you’re probably wondering:
- What happens during a professional cleaning?
- Can you just walk into a dental office and ask for a cleaning?
- How long does teeth cleaning take?
- How often should you get your teeth professionally cleaned?
- How much does teeth cleaning cost?
We’re going to answer all of your questions and more so you’ll be fully prepared and be as comfortable as possible in your next cleaning appointment at your local dental office.
Why Is Teeth Cleaning Important?
Think of your teeth like a car. Would you rather pay for routine oil changes and tire rotations, or wait until your engine fails and face a huge repair bill? Just like regular maintenance keeps your car running smoothly and prevents costly breakdowns, routine dental cleanings help protect your teeth and gums before problems get serious.
Skipping cleanings might seem like a way to save money, but it leads to bigger (and more expensive) issues. Plaque and tartar don’t just go away—they build up and cause cavities, gum disease, and infections that require costly treatments like fillings, deep cleanings, or even extractions and implants. A little preventive care, such as routine dental cleanings now saves you a lot of pain and money later.
Can You Get a Walk-In Dental Cleaning?
At btyDental Washington, we encourage walk-ins! But it’s best to book an appointment so we can ensure availability, gather all the necessary paperwork, and get you scheduled on a date and time that works best for you.
We’ll conduct a detailed dental exam and check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other potential underlying issues first. This process lets us catch any issues early to save you time, money, and discomfort.
So, if you’re a new patient walking in for a cleaning, chances are you’ll be asked to schedule an examination appointment first. Remember, dental offices are often packed with patients. So, if you’re in the Washington area, call our offices to get your examination and cleaning scheduled.
What Happens During a Professional Teeth Cleaning?
Most teeth cleanings go through a simple process. However, the exact step-by-step depends on several factors, including the results of your dental examination. But for most dental offices, the process includes the following:
Dental X-Ray Examination and Discussion
After scheduling a consultation, new patients will undergo a dental X-Ray to evaluate your oral health. This will help identify problems like tooth decay, cavities, and potential deep-rooted issues that can’t be seen on the surface during a physical dental examination.
Some dentists can go with a cleaning immediately without an X-Ray. But the last thing you want is having your teeth cleaning paused midway only for the dentist to inform you about how you need an entirely different procedure.
After the X-Ray, the doctor will discuss the results and recommend treatments to address any underlying issues. But if everything’s good, patients can go with the cleaning treatment.
Using Scalers to Remove Plaque and Tartar (Prophylaxis)
Prophylaxis is the most common type of dental cleaning. It’s a routine checkup used for people who have healthy teeth and gums. It’s done using dental instruments called “scalers” that are used to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth.
Dentists can use ultrasonic scalers that vibrate and spray water to remove tough plaque and tartar and wash them away. You’ll probably hear scraping sounds which might sound scary, but it’s perfectly normal and won’t hurt one bit.
The best way to avoid tartar buildup is to brush and floss regularly. Plaque builds up and hardens into tartar, which can only be removed during a visit to your local dentist.
Teeth Polishing With Gritty Toothpaste
Once scaling is done, the next step is teeth polishing using gritty toothpaste. It’ll taste and smell like toothpaste and most offices would even ask you what your favorite flavor is.
Your dentist will use a high-powered electric brush to polish your teeth to deep clean and remove any plaque or tartar left from the scaler without damaging your enamel. That means you’ll hear a lot of whirring sounds but it’s nothing to be worried about.
Rinsing
Next, your dental hygienist will give you a rinse of liquid fluoride and ask you to swish and use a suction to remove the water from your mouth. This stage helps remove any leftover residual tooth polish or debris left from scaling or the teeth polishing process.
Applying Fluoride Treatment (Optional)
The last step for any teeth cleaning is applying fluoride. This helps teeth be protected against cavities for months to come. Your dental hygienist will put a foamy gel or sticky paste into a mouthpiece that’ll fit snug on your teeth for one minute.
Aside from the gel, fluoride varnish will also be applied to your teeth using a small brush. The good news is that fluoride varnish hardens when it contacts saliva so you can drink or eat immediately after it’s applied.
However, fluoride treatment is optional for adults since it won’t be covered by insurance. But most insurances cover fluoride treatment for children.
Types of Dental Cleaning
Your dental hygienist can recommend different types of cleanings based on the results of your examination. But, they all have one end-goal in mind—removing plaque, tartar, and bad bacteria to help reduce your risk of further dental issues. Here are the most popular ones you can get:
Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis is just a fancy word for a professional dental cleaning. It’s a routine procedure where your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth to keep your mouth healthy and prevent issues like cavities and gum disease.
Even with good brushing and flossing, some buildup is tough to get rid of at home, so these cleanings help keep everything in check. Plus, they give your dental provider a chance to spot any early signs of problems before they turn into bigger issues.
Gross Debridement
If it’s been a while since your last dental visit, especially over a year or if you have heavy plaque and tartar buildup, you may need a gross debridement. This is a deeper cleaning than a regular prophylaxis and can take a bit longer.
The main goal is to remove thick buildup so we can get a clear look at your teeth and gums, making sure there aren’t any hidden issues before moving forward with a standard cleaning.
Scaling and Root Planing (SRP)
Scaling and root planing (SRP), also known as deep cleaning, is a treatment for mild to moderate gum disease (periodontitis). Unlike a regular cleaning, it goes below the gumline to remove bacteria and hardened tartar (calculus) from the roots of your teeth.
Because SRP is a more intensive procedure, it’s typically done one quadrant (section) of the mouth at a time. The mouth is divided into four quadrants: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left.
To keep things manageable, dentists usually treat two quadrants per visit—often on the same side of the mouth (like the upper right and lower right). This way, your entire mouth isn’t sore at once, and you can still chew comfortably on the untreated side.
Since the procedure can cause some gum soreness, local anesthesia is used to numb the area, ensuring you stay comfortable throughout. The remaining two quadrants are treated in a follow-up visit, allowing for a smoother recovery.
How Long Does Dental Cleaning Take?
How long a dental cleaning lasts depends on the type you’re going to get. Most prophylaxis (general cleaning) last about 30 minutes to an hour.
Gross debridement usually takes about an hour. But if there’s heavy tartar build-up, the process might be split into multiple visits.
Scaling and root planing requires a more thorough treatment and lasts 45 to 90 minutes. It’s often done in two visits, with each visit treating one side of the mouth at a time.
How Often Should You Get a Teeth Cleaning?
Most dentists recommend you visit twice a year for a cleaning. However, how frequently you visit your local dental provider depends on your needs and specific risk factors for issues like gum disease or tooth loss. These risks increase when you:
- Smoke tobacco
- Have a diabetes
- Have a family history of gum disease
The important thing to note is that teeth cleaning is just one aspect of oral health. According to research, people who visit every 6 months for cleanings didn’t have any statistically significant improvement in their oral health.
But here’s a universal truth every dentist lives by: regular checkups and follow-ups will improve your oral health. These visits let your dentist catch underlying issues before they turn into expensive procedures.
When your dental office calls you for a follow-up, the best option will always be to get an appointment at your most convenient time. Doing so lets your dentist personalize your dental care plan based on your needs.
How Much Does Dental Cleaning Cost?
Dental cleaning costs vary depending on where you’re from, the type of cleaning you need, and what your insurance covers. In Washington, patients looking to pay in cash can expect anywhere between $410 to $750 for a complete dental cleaning package (Dental X-Ray + Cleaning + Fluoride).
You should also look out for any special promotions. For example, btyDENTAL has a special promotion for $199 that already includes NPEX exam, cleaning, and a full set of x-rays.
Another thing to keep in mind is that dental offices in urban areas might charge more than those in rural areas. But, these will ultimately depend on the type of cleaning you’ll get.
Routine cleaning (prophylaxis) is the least expensive cleaning you can get. For adults, the cost could range between $185 to $225, depending on whether they get fluoride treatment. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) costs higher since you’ll be charged per quadrant of the mouth.
Dental cleaning for kids can range anywhere between $120 to $200. Insurances can cover routine cleanings but they typically only cover fluoride treatment for children only.
New patients often pay a bit more since they need an initial set of X-Rays. The good news is that the results can be used for a long time (3 to 5 years for PANO and 6 months to a year for bitewing images).
What to Do After a Dental Cleaning
Getting a professional dental cleaning is fundamental to your oral health. But remember, it’ll be a while till your next appointment. What you do after is just as important.
A Little Sensitivity is Completely Normal
Your teeth and gums might feel some sensitivity after a cleaning, especially if you had scaling and planing done to remove heavy tartar build up. So, you have to watch what you eat. Avoid food and drinks that are too hot, cold, or hard.
If you had a deep cleaning, you can expect sensitivity to last a couple of days or a week. Sensitivity after prophylaxis only lasts a few hours to a day.
Follow Fluoride Aftercare (If Applied)
Getting fluoride strengthens your enamel and helps you fight against cavities for months. But you might want to skip out on a meal immediately after getting a fluoride application. You want it to set for at least 30 minutes.
If you got fluoride varnish, you might want to stick with soft foods as well. The last thing you’d want to do is accidentally scrape the varnish off.
Keep Up with Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene doesn’t stop and start at the clinic. It’s an on-going process that you need to turn into a habit. It’s one of the best ones to have!
Even the basics like routine brushing and flossing can go a long way. But, if you just got done with a dental cleaning, consider using a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste.
Watch for Any Unusual Symptoms
If you had scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), you might experience minor swelling or slight bleeding. This is normal, but if pain or bleeding persists beyond a few days, call your dentist.
Plan Your Next Appointment
Before you leave the office, schedule your next cleaning based on your dentist’s recommendation. Whether it’s in three months, six months, or a year, staying on top of routine visits helps prevent bigger dental issues down the line.
Key Takeaways
Regular cleanings are the key to a healthy smile, and there’s no better time to book your appointment. Whether you’re due for a routine cleaning or need a deep cleaning for gum health, our team at btyDental is here to help.
If you’re in Washington, don’t wait until small issues turn into costly problems. Check out our locations and schedule your dental exam and cleaning today!
