Preventive

Teeth Cleaning

Professional teeth cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing can't reach, protecting your teeth from cavities and gum disease while keeping your smile bright and healthy.

Dentist performing an oral examination on a patient in a clinic setting.

Why You Need Professional Teeth Cleaning

One of the best ways to keep your teeth white, bright, and healthy is with regular professional teeth cleaning. Though regular brushing and flossing remove food particles from your teeth, you can't brush away tartar, which is a hard substance that traps bacteria and increases your risk of cavities and gum disease.

Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that develops on your teeth and along your gum line. Though plaque is normal, when not removed quickly with brushing and flossing, it hardens, turning into tartar. Tartar traps bacteria on your teeth and increases your risk of cavities and gum disease. You can't remove tartar with regular brushing and flossing, which is why you need professional teeth cleaning.

What Happens During Your Teeth Cleaning

The specifics of your teeth cleaning depend on your oral health needs. Before your teeth cleaning starts, your dental professional examines your teeth and gums to look for signs of cavities and gum disease.

Then, they use a special tool to remove plaque and tartar from your gum line and between your teeth. Your dental professional polishes your teeth with a gritty toothpaste and electric toothbrush and finishes your teeth cleaning with professional flossing to remove any remaining debris.

You then rinse your clean mouth with a fluoride solution that coats the surface of your teeth and provides additional protection against cavities.

How Often Should You Schedule Cleanings

Your dentist determines how frequently you need teeth cleaning based on your oral health needs. In most cases, we recommend teeth cleaning every six months to control tartar buildup and maintain good oral hygiene.

You may require more frequent teeth cleaning if you have a history of gum disease, take medication that makes your mouth dry, or you have diabetes. Smokers also benefit from more frequent teeth cleaning.

Deep Teeth Cleaning

A deep teeth cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, removes plaque and tartar that's migrated below your gum line. You may need a deep cleaning if you wait too long to schedule your regular teeth cleaning.

When you don't remove tartar and plaque regularly, they fall and collect under your gum line, trapping bacteria that may cause gum disease, gum tissue loss, and bone loss.

Don't wait any longer to schedule your teeth cleaning. Call Union Family Dental or request an appointment online today.

How it works

Examination

Your dental professional examines your teeth and gums to look for signs of cavities and gum disease before beginning your cleaning.

Plaque and Tartar Removal

Using special tools, we carefully remove plaque and tartar from your gum line and between your teeth.

Polishing

We polish your teeth with a gritty toothpaste and electric toothbrush to remove surface stains and smooth your enamel.

Flossing and Fluoride

Professional flossing removes any remaining debris, followed by a fluoride rinse that coats and protects your teeth.

Common questions

Why can't I just brush away tartar at home?+

Once plaque hardens into tartar, it bonds firmly to your teeth and can only be removed with professional dental tools. Regular brushing and flossing prevent plaque from turning into tartar, but once it forms, you need a professional cleaning.

How often do I need teeth cleaning?+

Most patients need teeth cleaning every six months to control tartar buildup and maintain good oral hygiene. You may need more frequent cleanings if you have a history of gum disease, take medications that cause dry mouth, have diabetes, or smoke.

What is a deep teeth cleaning?+

A deep teeth cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, removes plaque and tartar that has migrated below your gum line. This treatment is needed when tartar collects under your gums, trapping bacteria that can cause gum disease, gum tissue loss, and bone loss.

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