Teeth cleanings
that catch
problems early.
A professional cleaning every six months does more than polish. It's when we find small cavities before they need crowns, catch early gum disease before it needs surgery, and spot oral cancer before it becomes serious. It is, by a wide margin, the best dental value there is.
What happens
during your cleaning.
A standard cleaning takes about 45 minutes from walk-in to walk-out. Here's the full breakdown so there are no surprises.
We review any changes since your last visit — new medications, health conditions, or concerns. Quick blood pressure check for adults.
Bitewing X-rays once a year for most adults, full-mouth series every 3–5 years. Digital X-rays use ~80% less radiation than traditional film.
Using ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments, the hygienist removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from above and just below the gumline. This is the heart of the cleaning — and the part that actively prevents gum disease.
A gentle polishing paste removes surface stains from coffee, tea, and wine, leaving teeth smooth and bright. Thorough flossing between every tooth.
Dr. Buckley or Dr. Darrow reviews your X-rays on the screen with you, checks each tooth, and performs an oral cancer screening. If we see anything that needs attention, we explain it clearly and give you a written treatment plan.
Most patients book their next cleaning 6 months out before leaving, so it's on the calendar. We send text and email reminders a week before.
The cheapest dental work
you'll ever do.
Catch cavities while they're small
A cavity caught at a cleaning is a $200 filling. A cavity caught a year later often needs a $1,400 crown or a $1,800 root canal. Regular exams save money.
Prevent gum disease
Nearly half of American adults have some form of gum disease. Cleanings remove the tartar that drives it, before it causes bone loss, loose teeth, and the need for deep scaling or gum surgery.
Oral cancer screening
Every exam includes a visual screening for oral cancer. When caught early, oral cancer survival rates are above 80%. Late-stage, they drop below 40%. Two minutes of screening, twice a year.
Fresher breath, brighter smile
Professional polishing removes stains that brushing can't. Most patients notice their teeth feel and look noticeably cleaner for weeks after a visit.
Whole-body health connection
Research increasingly connects gum health to heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. Keeping gums healthy is part of keeping the rest of you healthy.
Insurance usually pays for it.
Virtually every dental PPO covers two cleanings per year at 100%, no deductible. If you have insurance and haven't been in six months, you're leaving a free benefit on the table.
Questions
we hear often.
Does a cleaning hurt?
What if I haven't been to a dentist in years?
How much does a cleaning cost without insurance?
How often should I come in?
What if I'm nervous about the dentist?
Do you see kids?
It's been a while,
hasn't it?
Book a cleaning. No judgment, no lecture — just a thorough visit and an honest plan. Most patients are in and out in under an hour, and insurance usually covers the whole thing.