Dental Cleanings & Exams

Medically reviewed by Dr. Homan Hanasab, DDS, MS, CAGS Periodontist & Dental Implant Specialist · LA Clippers Team Dentist · Reviewed September 16, 2026

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

Regular dental cleanings and exams are the most important thing you can do for your oral health. Even with excellent brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar build up in places your toothbrush can't reach.

At American Dental Group, we recommend cleanings and exams every six months. These visits allow us to remove buildup, catch problems early, and keep your smile healthy for years to come.

Professional plaque and tartar removal
Comprehensive oral examination
Oral cancer screening
Digital X-rays when needed

What to Expect

Professional Cleaning
Our hygienist removes plaque and tartar from all surfaces of your teeth, including below the gumline where problems often start.

Polishing
Your teeth are polished to remove surface stains and leave them smooth and shiny.

Examination
The dentist examines your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of decay, gum disease, or other concerns.

X-Rays
Digital X-rays (as needed) help detect problems not visible during the exam, like decay between teeth or bone loss.

Personalized Recommendations
We discuss any findings and recommend treatments or home care improvements.

Why Regular Cleanings Matter

Protecting your smile and your health

Prevent Cavities

Remove plaque before it turns into decay, saving you from fillings and discomfort.

Early Detection

Catch problems early when they're smaller, simpler, and less expensive to treat.

Protect Overall Health

Oral health is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. A healthy mouth supports a healthy body.

What happens at a cleaning and exam

A cleaning removes what your toothbrush cannot, and the exam finds problems while they are still small. Together they are the cheapest dentistry you will ever have, and the reason most patients never need the expensive kind.

Why brushing is not enough on its own

Plaque is soft and brushable for about 24 to 72 hours. After that it hardens into tartar, which is mineralised and bonded to the tooth — no brush, floss or rinse removes it. It has to be scaled off with instruments. Tartar is also porous, so it holds bacteria against the gum, which is how gum inflammation starts.

The cleaning

An ultrasonic scaler loosens the bulk of the deposit with vibration and water, then hand instruments clean the detail, especially just beneath the gum edge. The teeth are polished, flossed, and fluoride is applied if you are at risk of decay. It takes 30 to 45 minutes for most patients.

The exam

Every tooth, for decay, cracks and failing old restorations.
The gums, with a probe measuring pocket depths. Anything consistently over about 3 mm is flagged.
The soft tissue of your cheeks, tongue, floor of mouth and throat — a routine oral cancer screening.
Your bite and jaw joints, for grinding damage and for clicking or soreness.

When a regular cleaning is not the right treatment

If the charting shows deep pockets and the X-rays show bone loss, polishing the visible surfaces will not fix it. That case needs scaling and root planing, which cleans the root surfaces inside the pockets under local anaesthetic. We will show you the numbers rather than just telling you that you need a deep clean — and if the numbers do not support it, we will clean your teeth normally and say so.

What to expect afterwards

Slight gum tenderness for a day is normal, especially if you have not been in for a while and the gums were already inflamed. Some patients notice temporary sensitivity to cold. Both settle. If your gums bled a lot during the cleaning, that is information, not a failure — it means there is inflammation to treat.

Questions

Cleanings & Exams FAQ

How long does a cleaning take?

Usually 30 to 45 minutes for the cleaning, plus time for the exam and any X-rays. Plan on about an hour for the visit. If it has been several years since your last cleaning, the first one may take longer or be split over two appointments.

Why can't I just remove tartar at home?

Plaque is soft and brushable for the first day or two. After that it mineralises into tartar, which is bonded to the tooth surface and has to be scaled off with instruments. No toothpaste, rinse or home scraper removes it safely, and home scrapers frequently damage the gum.

My gums bled during the cleaning. Is that bad?

It means there is inflammation present, which is worth knowing about. Healthy gums do not bleed when cleaned. It usually settles within a week or two of better home care, and if it does not, that is the point at which we look at pocket depths properly.

Is a deep cleaning the same as a regular cleaning?

No. A regular cleaning works on the surfaces above and just below the gumline. A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, treats active gum disease by cleaning the root surfaces inside deep pockets, and is done with the area numbed. It is a treatment, not a more thorough polish.

Does insurance cover cleanings?

Most dental plans cover two cleanings and exams a year at or near 100%, because prevention is cheaper for them too. Plans differ on how many they cover for patients on a periodontal maintenance schedule; we verify your benefits before your visit.