Regular dental cleanings help keep your teeth, gums, and smile feeling fresh. At Paramount Dental in Elk Grove, our skilled hygienists remove plaque and tartar, polish your teeth, and support healthier gums with preventive dental care. To schedule a visit with one of our hygienists, simply give Paramount Dental a call at (916) 333-0609.
Benefits of Dental Cleanings
Routine dental cleanings are a vital aspect of preventive dentistry. They aid in keeping your teeth and gums clean and assist in maintaining long-term oral health. Routine dental cleanings help to:
- Clean away plaque and tartar that you can’t completely remove using a toothbrush and floss.
- Reduce gum inflammation and bleeding due to buildup along the gumline
- Polish teeth for a smoother, cleaner feel
- Freshen breath by reducing bacteria-harboring buildup
- Monitor for early signs of cavities, gum disease, and worn restorations before they become serious concerns requiring more complex treatment
- Protect the longevity of your natural teeth
Dental Cleaning Process
Review of Patient Concerns
Your visit begins with a patient review. During this time, you’ll describe any issues you’ve encountered with your teeth and gums since your last visit.
Gum Evaluation
Our dental professional checks your gums for redness, swelling, bleeding, receding gums, or pocketing. This allows them to determine if standard preventive care is suitable for you or if you require periodontal treatment.
Plaque and Tartar Removal
Using special dental instruments, our hygienist or dentist removes plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, in-between your teeth, and above and below your gum line.
Teeth Polishing
Following removal of plaque and tartar, your teeth are polished to create a smooth surface of your enamel, helping to remove surface stains. Your teeth now will feel smooth, clean, and refreshed!
Recommendations for Home Care
Your dental team may suggest mouthwash, floss, water flosser, inter-dental brushes, or other tools to assist you in maintaining cleaner teeth and gums between visits.
Next Steps
Prior to leaving our office, we highly recommend scheduling your next routine cleaning. Should you have shown signs of gum disease, wore-down restorations, decay, or other concerns, additional treatment services may be offered and scheduled.
Eligibility
Dental cleanings are recommended for most patients as part of routine preventive dental care twice a year. Some patients need cleanings more often if they:
- Have gum disease or a history of periodontal concerns
- Are diagnosed with diabetes
- Experience dry mouth
- Have excessive tartar buildup
- Have dental restorations, implants, bridges, or oral appliances
- Regularly experience bleeding or tender gums or suffer from persistent bad breath
Please note that if you have active gum disease or deep tartar buildup below the gumline, our dentist may recommend a deeper cleaning or periodontal therapy.
It’s important to understand that a dental cleaning helps remove surface stains, but it does not change the internal color of the teeth. If you want a whiter, brighter smile, ask about the tooth whitening options our Elk Grove office offers.
Dental Cleaning Cost & Insurance Coverage
The cost of a dental cleaning depends on:
- The type of cleaning needed (standard or deep)
- Whether an evaluation or exam is included
- If X-rays are taken
- Whether additional periodontal treatment is performed
The good news is that most dental insurance plans pay for routine cleanings and exams under preventive care guidelines. The frequency, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs can still vary by plan. Our Paramount Dental office team in Elk Grove will review your insurance benefits so you understand what is and is not covered.
For patients that may not have dental insurance, our office team can discuss whether discounts, finance programs, or payment options are available.
Dental Cleaning Aftercare & Maintenance
After your dental cleaning, your teeth will no doubt feel smoother and your gums feel healthier. If your gums were inflamed or you had heavier tartar buildup at the time of your cleaning, you may experience mild tenderness which should dissipate over the course of a few days after your visit. If it does not, please be sure you contact our office.
- To maintain your results between regular cleaning appointments:
- Brush twice daily with a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Clean between your teeth at least once daily with floss or another recommended interdental tool
- Limit sugary foods and drinks
- Use any additional home care products that are recommended by your dental team
- Schedule dental cleanings every six months or at the interval your dental team recommends based on your oral health needs
- Call (916) 333-0609 if you experience oral bleeding, swelling, pain, loose teeth, or persistent bad breath
Consistent home dental care, routine dental cleanings, and regularly scheduled dental exams work together to help keep your smile healthy for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a dental cleaning?
During a dental cleaning, a dental professional removes plaque and tarter from the teeth, evaluates gum health, polishes the teeth, and provides home care recommendations.
Why do I need a professional cleaning?
Brushing and flossing regularly at home is essential, but no matter how detailed you are, plaque still collects in areas a toothbrush and floss can’t get to. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it cannot be removed safely at home with just a toothbrush or floss and therefore requires a professional dental cleaning.
How often should I have a dental cleaning?
It is generally recommended that patients schedule dental cleanings twice a year. Patients with gum disease, dry mouth, diabetes, frequent tartar buildup, or certain restorations may need more frequent cleanings.
Is it painful to have a dental cleaning?
A routine dental cleaning should not be painful. If your gums are inflamed, sensitive, or irritated by heavy tartar buildup, you may feel mild tenderness during the cleaning and/or after the visit. Please let our dental team know if you have sensitive gums so that they can ensure your comfort during your routine cleaning.
Is a dental cleaning considered a deep cleaning?
Not really. Most patients receive a routine dental cleaning which removes plaque and tartar around the teeth and gumline. A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, treats buildup below the gumline and is recommended for patients with active periodontal disease.
Do dental cleanings help with bad breath?
Yes. Removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria can help freshen breath. If bad breath persists after a cleaning, the dentist can check for other possible causes, such as gum disease, dry mouth, cavities, or medical factors.
Will my teeth look whiter after a cleaning?
A cleaning can remove some surface stains, which may make your smile look brighter. However, a cleaning does not change the internal color of your teeth. For a whiter shade, ask about professional tooth whitening.
What should I do if my gums bleed after a cleaning?
Bleeding is normal for the first few days after a cleaning if your gums are inflamed. To stop bleeding continue to brush your teeth gently with fluoride toothpaste and floss your teeth at least once each day. Contact us at (916) 333-0609 if the bleeding does not subside, increases in intensity or is accompanied by swelling, pain or loose teeth.
Protect your smile with a professional dental cleaning from Paramount Dental in Elk Grove. Call (916) 333-0609 or request your dental cleaning appointment online.