Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums
Routine teeth cleanings and checkups are essential to maintain not just your teeth but also your gums and the entire health of your mouth. Professional cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath, reaching areas often missed by brushing and flossing. These appointments give your hygienist and dentist a chance to monitor your oral health, spotting and addressing potential issues before they become painful or costly.
Additionally, regular cleanings can naturally whiten and brighten your smile without bleaching treatments.
- Eliminates Plaque: Removes sticky bacteria that damage your enamel.
- Removes Tartar: Gets rid of hardened plaque that can lead to gum disease.
- Brightens Teeth: Lifts coffee, tea, and other common stains.
- Oral Health Check: Detects signs of receding gums, chips, and potential infections early on.
What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?
Gum Health
Gums play a crucial role in your oral health, providing support for your teeth and enhancing your smile. During your cleaning, we’ll examine your tongue, gums, teeth, and other areas of your mouth, with a focus on your gumline to spot any signs of inflammation or gum disease. And don’t worry, we won’t be too tough on you about your flossing!
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque is a soft, sticky film that naturally forms on your teeth, but when left uncleaned, it hardens into tartar, especially around the gumline. A hygienist uses specialized tools to remove both plaque and tartar from those hard-to-reach areas. Once your teeth are clean, they’ll be polished to lift stains, leaving them smooth and gleaming.
Dentist Exam
After your cleaning, your dentist will step in to review your chart, examine your teeth, and check your X-rays. They’ll focus on any problem areas and provide advice on addressing tooth decay, gum disease, or inflammation. Feel free to ask questions or share any discomfort, sensitivity, or dental concerns you may have.
Cost of a Dental Cleaning and Checkup in Thornhill
Routine checkups and cleanings are essential for preventing dental problems, and most insurance plans will cover the majority of these costs every 6 months. Without insurance, fees typically range from $120 to $300 or more, especially for first-time visits or if it’s been a while since your last cleaning.
The actual cost of your treatment depends on several key factors:
- Your current oral health condition
- Whether new X-rays are needed
- The time required by the dental team to meet your needs
- The equipment and supplies necessary for your care
We value these routine appointments as they’re the most effective way to prevent more invasive treatments, avoid serious dental pain, and keep you smiling brightly.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
We typically recommend a cleaning and checkup every 6 months. However, your dentist may advise more frequent visits if needed, or we may schedule appointments further apart if necessary due to insurance or cost reasons.
Don’t wait! If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort, call us right away. Cleanings are preventive, but any concern, even minor, should be addressed promptly to avoid escalation.
Absolutely. Checkups cover your entire mouth—gums, tongue, bones, and more. If you wear dentures, we want to ensure they’re in good shape and fit well, along with checking the rest of your oral health.
A dental cleaning usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour and is performed comfortably while you lie back in the dental chair.
Yes, using tartar-control toothpaste with fluoride helps. Flossing is key to removing plaque between teeth, and rinsing daily with an antiseptic mouthwash can kill bacteria that contribute to plaque buildup.
After a regular cleaning, you can eat right away but try to avoid acidic or abrasive foods. If you received a fluoride treatment, wait at least 30 minutes before eating.
Yes, brushing and flossing after your cleaning is essential to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.