Dental Exams and Cleanings
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Inside a cleaning.
A professional cleaning removes what brushing can't: hardened tartar above and below the gumline. Expect thirty to sixty minutes of scaling, polishing, and flossing, followed by an exam, and expect us to ask, honestly, how it feels along the way.
The four steps, explained.
First up, scaling: an ultrasonic tool and hand instruments lift tartar off your teeth and from just under the gums, which is where the real damage happens. Second, polishing with a gently gritty paste that smooths the enamel so plaque has a harder time sticking. Third, professional flossing that reaches what home floss misses. Fourth, the exam: Dr. Little checks your teeth, gums, existing work, and soft tissues, and walks through any X-rays with you on screen.
Cleanings hurt in the past?
Tender gums usually mean inflammation, and (plot twist) the cleaning is what fixes it. Tell us where it's sensitive: we can numb specific areas, switch instruments, slow down, or split the visit in two. Cleanings after a long gap are gentler than people fear, and they get easier each time as your gums heal. Nervous? Read about comfort options; nitrous works for cleanings too.
Things people wonder.
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
With healthy gums, no. Inflamed gums can be tender, and that tenderness is the case for the cleaning, not against it. We adjust technique wherever you're sensitive.
Why do my gums bleed during cleanings?
Bleeding means inflammation is present. As home care and regular cleanings calm your gums down, the bleeding fades; it's a progress marker we track from visit to visit.
What is the difference between a cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning keeps healthy gums healthy. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, treats gum disease below the gumline with numbing, one section at a time.
Can I eat right after?
Yes, unless you got fluoride varnish, which comes with brief instructions. Your teeth may just feel extra smooth for a day.
Chase that smooth-teeth feeling.
Request a cleaning online or give the office a call.