What should you know about cleanings & exams?
A professional dental cleaning removes the hardened plaque (tartar) that even excellent home brushing and flossing cannot reach. Your hygienist also polishes the teeth to remove surface staining, then walks you through the brushing and flossing technique that actually works for your unique mouth.
A comprehensive exam happens at the same visit. Your doctor reviews your digital x-rays, performs an oral-cancer screening, evaluates your gums, looks for signs of grinding or bite problems, and discusses any concerns with you on a chairside screen — so you understand exactly what is going on with your mouth.
For most patients, this happens twice a year. Patients with a history of gum disease or higher cavity risk may benefit from more frequent visits. We will recommend the schedule that fits your situation, never one that is heavier than you actually need.
When might you need cleanings & exams?
Patients usually come in for cleanings & exams because of one of the following: it has been more than six months, bleeding gums when you brush, bad breath that does not go away, visible tartar or staining, you have never had x-rays at our office, and you are a new patient establishing care. Only an exam can confirm what your mouth needs, so use this list as a guide rather than a diagnosis, and call the office if one or more of these sounds familiar.
Most adults benefit from a cleaning every six months even when nothing feels wrong. Routine prevention is the cheapest dentistry there is.
Healthy gums do not bleed. Bleeding is an early sign of gingivitis, which is fully reversible with a professional cleaning and good home care.
Persistent bad breath is often caused by bacteria trapped below the gumline that brushing cannot reach.
Yellow or brown buildup along the gumline is hardened plaque. Only professional instruments can remove it safely.
A baseline set of digital x-rays is essential for catching cavities, bone loss, and other problems that are invisible during a visual exam.
A cleaning + comprehensive exam is the standard first visit and lets us build a complete record of your oral health.
What happens at a cleanings & exams visit?
A typical cleanings & exams visit at McLaren Dental Associates follows 6 steps, from welcome and update to schedule your next visit. Your own plan may differ depending on what the exam shows, and the team explains each stage, along with any cost, before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
- 01Welcome and update
We confirm your medical history, any new medications, and any concerns you would like to discuss before getting started.
- 02Digital x-rays
We take a small set of low-radiation digital images. They appear instantly on the chairside screen for your doctor to review with you.
- 03Hands-on cleaning
Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline using gentle ultrasonic and hand instruments. Polish and floss complete the cleaning.
- 04Comprehensive exam
Your doctor checks every tooth, the soft tissue of your mouth, your gums, and your bite. Oral-cancer screening happens at every visit.
- 05Findings and plan
We review what we found together — including images and intra-oral camera shots when relevant — and outline a clear plan if any treatment is recommended.
- 06Schedule your next visit
You leave with your next cleaning on the calendar and a written copy of any treatment plan.
Why choose McLaren Dental Associates for cleanings & exams?
Patients choose McLaren Dental Associates for cleanings & exams because of low-radiation digital imaging, gentle hygienists, conservative care, and on-time appointments. The same team handles your exam, treatment, and follow-up in one Midland office, and recommendations stay conservative, so you are never pushed toward more treatment than your teeth need.
Our digital x-ray system delivers up to 90% less radiation than traditional film while producing instantly reviewable images.
Our hygienists are experienced, patient, and famous for the comfortable touch they bring to every cleaning.
We never recommend treatment you do not need. If a watch-and-wait approach is appropriate, that is what you will hear from us.
We respect your schedule. Cleanings start when they are supposed to start and end when they are supposed to end.
What do patients ask about cleanings & exams?
The 5 questions below are the ones patients ask most often about cleanings & exams, with straightforward answers from the McLaren Dental Associates team. If your question is not covered here, call (989) 631-7880 during office hours and a team member will answer it or set up a time to talk with the dentist.
Sources
- Dental Health — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Periodontal (Gum) Disease — National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Prevalence of periodontitis in adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010 — Journal of Dental Research (2012), via PubMed
- Tooth Decay — National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research