Regular teeth cleanings are one of the simplest ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. At Allen Dental Group, our hygienists and dentists remove plaque and tartar, check for signs of trouble, and help you stay on top of your oral health. 

For many patients, that means coming in about every six months. Your cleaning schedule may vary depending on your gums, dental history, and any restorations you have.

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 bones and gums.
• Longer lasting teeth.
• Early detection and treatment of cancer and other oral health conditions.
• Beautiful, healthy smiles.

What happens when we miss teeth cleanings?

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

• An inability to eat and digest certain foods, leading to nutritional and systemic problems.
• Bad breath, resulting from advancing periodontal disease and/or rotting food particles.
• Negative effects on cardiovascular well-being and overall health.
• Gum infection and gangrene.

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 treatments to the health needs and goals of every individual.

• Dental History—A hygienist will gather dental and medical histories so that we have a clear picture of your current health, including any medical conditions that can impact dental treatment.

• Digital X-rays—We take digital x-rays as diagnostic material for your comprehensive oral exam. If you have had x-rays taken within the last 12 months, please have them sent to our office. If you are unable to have x-rays taken, please inform the hygienist as you give your medical history.

• Oral Screening and Teeth Exams—After we perform an oral cancer/lesion screening for symptoms of cancer and other illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, we examine your teeth for decay.

• Gum Evaluation and Teeth Cleanings—Our hygienist will evaluate your gums, measuring periodontal pockets with a probe, and clean your teeth by identifying and removing areas of tartar, plaque, and calculus.

• Oral Hygiene Habits—We end your visit by reviewing and reinforcing proper oral hygiene.

Proper Oral Hygiene: How to Prevent Tooth Decay

There are several simple and affordable ways in which you can fight tooth decay, a common chronic health condition:

• Brush twice and floss once daily.
• Have regular dental cleanings and checkups twice a year.
• Eat fewer sugary and acidic foods.
• Take fluoride tablets, which make teeth more resistant to decay.
• Ask your dentist about additional cleaning supplements.

The Teeth Cleaning Procedure

When you come in for a cleaning, your dental hygienist identifies and removes plaque—a soft film that can be removed by brushing—and tartar—a hardened 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 along gum-lines where bacteria gather.

• Plaque – A soft film that can be removed by brushing
• Tartar – A hardened 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 along gum lines, where bacteria gather. 

We often complete the cleaning with prophy paste. Its coarse quality, which removes any remaining plaque as it dissolves into a finer texture, leaves the teeth shiny and smooth. We inform you of any areas where plaque and tartar build up, 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 teeth.

Some patients will notice that their teeth look a little brighter after a professional cleaning because surface stains from foods, drinks, and everyday buildup have been removed. A cleaning won’t change the natural color of your teeth like whitening treatment can, but it can leave your smile looking fresher and feeling smoother.

Are there different kinds of teeth cleanings?

No. Prophylaxis (a fancy word for teeth cleaning) is the only dental procedure of its kind. Prophylaxis involves a routine teeth cleaning every six months.

The procedures that are sometimes called “cleanings” are actually periodontal treatments: 

• Full Mouth Debridement – a pre-cleaning for those with severe calculus buildup.
• Scaling and Root Planing – a deep cleaning for those with early stages of gum disease.
• Perio Maintenance – a periodontal cleaning for those with a history of gum disease.

WHEN MIGHT YOU NEED A DEEP CLEANING? 

A routine cleaning focuses on plaque and tartar around the teeth and gum line. If gum disease has caused deeper pockets to form between the teeth and gums, scaling and root planing may be needed instead.

This treatment goes below the gum line to remove buildup from the tooth roots. The roots are then smoothed to make it harder for bacteria to collect and to give the gums a better chance to heal around the teeth. Depending on the extent of the problem, treatment may be completed in sections rather than all at once.

Afterward, your dental team may recommend periodontal maintenance visits more often than a standard six-month cleaning schedule.

WHO MAY NEED MORE FREQUENT DENTAL CLEANINGS?

Twice-yearly cleanings work well for many patients, but some people need to come in more often. A history of gum disease is one of the most common reasons for shorter intervals between visits.

Your dentist may also recommend more frequent monitoring if you smoke, have certain health conditions that affect your gums, or have dental implants, dentures, crowns, bridges, or other restorations that require extra attention. The right schedule depends on how quickly plaque and tartar build up and how your gums respond between appointments. 

IS TOOTH SENSITIVITY NORMAL AFTER A CLEANING?

Your teeth or gums may feel mildly sensitive after a cleaning, especially if you had a lot of tartar buildup or your gums were already irritated. That sensitivity is usually temporary.

Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoiding very hot or cold foods for a short time can help. If sensitivity is severe, lasts longer than expected, or is limited to one tooth, let your dental team know so the area can be checked.

THE COST OF TEETH CLEANING

Most dental insurance policies include benefits that cover teeth cleanings. After all, not maintaining good oral hygiene will most likely lead to astronomical costs down the road, as failure to keep up with teeth cleanings often leads to serious and expensive health problems. Every patient’s budgetary situation is different, so we are happy to discuss yours with you. At a consultation, we present any possible costs up front to help you navigate your insurance benefits. Our main objective is to help you have a successful oral health experience.

SCHEDULE A TEETH CLEANING IN CORPUS CHRISTI

If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, or you’re not sure how often you should be coming in, Allen Dental Group can help you get back on track. We’ll check your teeth and gums, remove buildup that brushing and flossing can’t handle, and let you know what kind of follow-up schedule makes the most sense.

A routine visit is also a good time to talk about any changes in your mouth, questions about your home care, or concerns about existing dental work. That gives us a better idea of what you need and how to tailor your care.

Contact Allen Dental Group today to schedule your next teeth cleaning and dental checkup in Corpus Christi.