Dental Cleanings & Exams

A regular cleaning maintains gums that are basically healthy, cleaning above and just below the gumline. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) treats diagnosed gum disease, cleaning the root surfaces down inside deepened gum pockets, usually with numbing. The difference is a diagnosis backed by measurements and X-rays — you should be shown both before agreeing to a deep cleaning. See gum disease treatment for the full picture.

For most people, no — expect scraping, vibration, and cold water rather than pain. Where gums are inflamed or roots are exposed, some spots can be briefly sharp or sore. Tell your hygienist: numbing gel or a slower pace is a normal request, not a bother. Tenderness afterward typically fades within a day.

Every six months is the standard default, and it fits most people. Your gum measurements can move that in either direction: very stable, low-risk patients sometimes stretch the interval, while patients in periodontal maintenance typically come every three to four months. The honest answer comes from your measurements, not from a policy.

No. X-ray frequency follows your age, decay history, and gum condition — not the calendar alone. They matter because decay between teeth and bone loss under the gumline are usually invisible to the eye. If you are unsure why a set is being recommended, ask; a good office will explain what it is looking for.

Plan on about an hour for most routine visits. A first visit often runs longer because it includes full records — a complete exam, X-rays as needed, and gum measurements for every tooth. Heavy tartar buildup can also add time, or occasionally a second visit.