Dental Cleanings

The right interval depends on your oral health. Some patients benefit from more frequent hygiene visits because of their gum health, tartar buildup or other factors, while others may need them less often. We recommend a schedule based on what we see clinically rather than automatically using the same interval for everyone.

No. A dental cleaning focuses on removing plaque and tartar and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. A dental exam is performed by a dentist to assess your teeth, gums, bite and other oral tissues and identify changes that may need treatment or monitoring. Both can be part of your ongoing preventive care, but they serve different purposes.

Start where you are. If it has been some time since your last dental visit, we'll assess your teeth and gums and determine what kind of hygiene care is appropriate now. Some patients can proceed with a routine cleaning, while others may need additional care for their gums or more than one hygiene visit. We'll explain what we find and what we recommend before moving forward.

Most routine dental cleanings are well tolerated, but sensitivity can vary from person to person. Inflamed gums, exposed root surfaces, sensitive teeth or heavier tartar buildup can make some areas more tender. Let your hygienist know if something is uncomfortable so the appointment can be adjusted where possible.

Bleeding is often related to inflammation in the gums. Plaque buildup and gum disease are common causes, although there can be others. Your hygienist and dentist can assess your gum health, explain what they are seeing and recommend appropriate home care or additional periodontal care when needed.

Professional cleaning and polishing can remove some surface stains caused by things such as coffee, tea or tobacco, but they do not change the underlying colour of the teeth. If you would like to make your teeth lighter overall, teeth whitening is a different treatment.

The length of a hygiene appointment depends on the amount of care you need. Gum health, tartar buildup, sensitivity and the time since your last cleaning can all affect the appointment. We schedule hygiene care based on your individual needs rather than assuming every cleaning will take the same amount of time.