General Dentistry · Everett, WA

Dental Cleanings

The single most effective thing you can do to keep the dentistry you already have.

Why professional cleanings matter

Plaque hardens into calculus within days, and once it does no amount of brushing will remove it. A professional cleaning clears what your toothbrush and floss cannot reach — particularly below the gum line and between back teeth.

Our hygienists work carefully and check in as they go. If cleanings have been uncomfortable for you in the past, tell us; we can work in shorter passes, use topical anesthetic, or adjust the ultrasonic settings.

Every cleaning includes a gum health check. Bleeding, pocketing or recession are early signals, and catching them early is the difference between a deep cleaning and losing a tooth.

The interval matters more than most people realise. Six months suits the majority, but it is a starting point rather than a rule — patients with a history of gum disease, a dry mouth, or heavy staining often do better at three or four months, and we will tell you plainly which group you are in rather than defaulting everyone to the same schedule.

If cleanings have hurt in the past, that is usually a sign of inflamed gums rather than a heavy-handed hygienist: healthy tissue does not hurt when it is cleaned. The first visit after a long gap can be tender, and it gets easier from there as the inflammation settles. Tell us and we will work in shorter passes with topical anesthetic.

Signs it is time for a cleaning

  • Your gums bleed when you brush or floss — the most common early sign of gum disease.
  • You can see or feel hard deposits on your teeth, particularly behind the lower front teeth.
  • Your breath does not stay fresh no matter how thoroughly you brush.
  • It has been more than six months, or you cannot remember the last visit.

What to expect

Most cleanings take 45 minutes to an hour.

  1. 1 Assessment We check your gums, measure pocket depths, and look for anything that has changed since your last visit.
  2. 2 Cleaning Calculus and plaque are removed above and below the gum line, then teeth are polished and flossed.
  3. 3 Home care We show you what we are seeing in your own mouth and adjust your routine to match — technique matters more than tools.

Between visits

Brush twice daily for two minutes with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, and clean between the teeth once a day. If your gums bleed when you floss, that is a reason to floss more consistently rather than to stop — but tell us at your next visit.

Common questions about dental cleanings

How long does a cleaning take?
Most take 45 minutes to an hour. If there has been a long gap, or if you need a deep cleaning below the gum line, we may split the work across two visits so that neither is uncomfortable.
Is a deep cleaning the same thing?
No. A routine cleaning works at and just below the gum line. A deep cleaning — scaling and root planing — treats active gum disease by cleaning the root surfaces inside the pockets, usually with local anesthetic. We only recommend it when pocket measurements show it is needed.
Does a cleaning whiten my teeth?
It removes surface stain from coffee, tea, wine and tobacco, which often looks like whitening. It does not change the underlying shade of the tooth — that needs whitening treatment, which works best straight after a cleaning.
My gums bleed when I floss. Should I stop?
No — bleeding is a reason to be more consistent, not less. Gums bleed because they are inflamed by plaque left along the gum line. In most cases daily cleaning between the teeth settles it within a fortnight. If it does not, tell us, because that points to something needing treatment.
Are cleanings covered by insurance?
Most plans cover two cleanings a year, and some cover more where gum disease is documented. Coverage varies by plan — we can check your benefits before the appointment so there are no surprises.

Questions about dental cleanings?

We'll walk you through the options, the costs, and what to expect.

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