Teeth Cleaning & Dental Check-Ups

There are many ways you can play an active role in maintaining your oral health. Having your teeth cleaned in our office according to your prescribed schedule is an excellent place to start. Our hygienists and Dr. Gordon identify plaque and problem areas before thoroughly cleaning your teeth, providing you with information to sustain a healthy, happy smile.

Why is it important to have consistent teeth cleanings and checkups?

Routine checkups are an essential part of proper oral hygiene. Some of the benefits of regular teeth cleanings include:

• Healthier teeth and gums.
• Longer-lasting teeth.
• Early detection and treatment of cancer or other oral health conditions that may be identified in the mouth.
• Maintain beautiful, healthy smiles.

What happens when we miss teeth cleanings?

Failure to keep up on proper oral hygiene can lead to:

• An impaired ability to eat and digest foods, leading to nutritional and systemic problems.
• Bad breath, resulting from periodontal (gum) disease and/or deteriorating food particles.
• Negative effects on cardiovascular well-being and overall health.
• May miss early detectable problems that may become more complex in needing treatment

What to Expect at Your First Checkup

Our dental cleaning appointments are about an hour-long, and new patient visits typically last a bit longer. We take pride in getting to know each of our patients, tailoring treatment to the health needs and goals of each individual. Here’s what to expect the first time you come to our office:

• Medical and Dental History: Our hygienist and Dr. Gordon will gather dental and medical histories to provide a clear picture of your current health, including any medical conditions that may affect dental treatment.
• Digital X-rays: We take digital X-rays as a diagnostic measure as part of your comprehensive oral exam. If you have had X-rays taken within the last five years, please have them sent/emailed to our office.
• Oral Cancer Screening and Teeth Exams: We perform an oral cancer screening for signs of cancer or other illnesses, such as diabetes or other potential problems. We then examine your teeth for decay or other concerns that may affect tooth health.
• Gum Evaluation: Our hygienist will evaluate the health of your gums by gently measuring gum attachment with a probe.
• Oral Hygiene Habits: We end your visit by reviewing and reinforcing proper oral hygiene care.

“I appreciated Dr. Gordon and his staff as my last office visit. We had out annual x-rays taken and Kendra did a nice job checking and cleanin gup my mandibular and maxillary arches. I hope that you all have a super 2026.”

~ John M.

Proper Oral Hygiene: How to Prevent Tooth Decay

There are several simple and affordable ways to fight tooth decay, a common chronic health condition.

• Brush and floss twice daily and use other cleaning aids as recommended by our office.
• Have dental cleanings and checkups at an interval prescribed by our office.
• Eat fewer sugary, acidic foods and drinks.
• Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste to make the teeth more resistant to decay.

The Teeth Cleaning Procedure

When you come in for a cleaning, your dental hygienist identifies and removes plaque—a colorless, soft film that can be removed by brushing—and tartar—a hardened/ mineralized plaque that requires dental instruments for removal. We make every effort to clean all surfaces of your teeth, including the tiny spaces between your teeth and gum line, where bacteria accumulate.

We often complete the cleaning with a mild polishing paste. Its fine texture helps remove any remaining plaque and stain, leaving your teeth shiny and smooth. We inform you of any areas where plaque and tartar accumulate, so you can give those places extra attention by flossing and brushing each day. Our goal is to enable you to easily and effectively care for your mouth.

Are there different kinds of teeth cleanings?

No. Prophylaxis—refers to professional teeth cleaning. Prophylaxis involves a routine teeth cleaning for a healthy mouth at an interval determined by our office.

The procedures that are sometimes confused with “cleanings” refer to periodontal (gum) treatments.

• Full Mouth Debridement: a pre-cleaning for those with extensive calculus buildup.
• Scaling and Root Planing: a removal of infection from gum pockets that are present with periodontal (gum) disease.
• Periodontal Maintenance: a periodontal cleaning for those patients who have already undergone treatment for periodontal (gum) disease.

The Cost of Teeth Cleaning

As our office emphasizes preventative dental care, we try to make the cost of teeth cleaning affordable. Most dental insurance policies include benefits that cover teeth cleanings. Our goal is to achieve excellent oral health for all of our patients