A routine cleaning removes the plaque and tartar your toothbrush can't reach, polishes stains away, and gives us an early look at anything that's starting to go wrong.
Even with good brushing at home, plaque hardens into tartar in the spots a toothbrush can't fully reach, between teeth, along the gumline, behind the back molars. Once it hardens, only a professional cleaning removes it.
Our hygiene team uses hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler to clear that buildup above the gumline, then polishes your teeth smooth so plaque has a harder time sticking next time. The visit also doubles as an early-warning check: your hygienist flags any spots that look like they're heading toward a cavity or gum trouble before it becomes something bigger.
Most patients are in and out in under an hour, and it's typically the best-covered procedure on any dental insurance plan.
If your gums are healthy and you're brushing and flossing regularly, a routine cleaning is almost certainly what you need, not a deep cleaning. Here's how to tell.
It's been close to six months since your last cleaning and nothing hurts, the classic case for routine maintenance.
No bleeding, no deep pockets, just the tartar that naturally builds up between visits.
First visit with us? A cleaning plus exam gives us a clear starting picture of your mouth.
Coffee, tea, or tobacco staining that a polish can lift, along with the plaque underneath it.
Growing mouths benefit from the same twice-yearly rhythm, adjusted to a gentler touch.
A clean, healthy baseline before whitening, veneers, or other cosmetic work.
Your hygienist checks your gums, looks for any new spots of concern, and takes X-rays if it's time for your annual set.
Using hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler, we remove plaque and tartar from above the gumline and between teeth.
A gritty polishing paste buffs away surface stains and leaves your teeth smooth, which slows how fast new plaque can grab hold.
We floss between every tooth, then finish with a fluoride treatment if you'd like one, and flag anything worth watching.
These sound similar but treat two different situations. A regular cleaning is preventive maintenance for healthy gums. A deep cleaning is a therapeutic treatment for gum disease that's already taken hold below the gumline.
Routine cleanings are the most consistently covered procedure on almost every dental insurance plan, often at 100% twice a year with no deductible. If you're not insured, or you're between plans, our Membership Club bundles cleanings, exams, and a discount on other treatment into one flat annual fee. We'll verify your benefits before your visit so there are no surprises.
Our clinic is in network with most PPOs and accepts all insurance plans. We'll verify your benefits and file the claim on your behalf.
Spread payment over time with interest-free financing through Lending Club or CareCredit, so cost isn't the reason you delay treatment.
Not insured? Our in-house membership plan simplifies preventative care and saves on treatment, a smart alternative when insurance isn't a fit.
Learn About MembershipEvery cleaning is backed by a dentist who reviews your chart, so anything your hygienist flags gets a second set of eyes the same visit.
Over a decade of practice in the DC area. Certified Invisalign provider and AAFE-certified in Botox therapeutics for TMJ and facial pain.
Restorative, cosmetic, and complex oral surgery. Invisalign and dental implant certified, with a special focus on patients with dental anxiety.
Compassionate care with a friendly approach. A Fairfax native who combines clinical expertise with genuine warmth that puts patients at ease.
Multi-disciplinary, comprehensive dentistry with a pragmatic approach. Passionate about patient education and staying current with advances in dental care.
Still have questions? Book a cleaning at any of our three offices and we'll walk you through it.
Book ConsultationTwice a year is the standard recommendation for most patients with healthy gums. If you build tartar quickly, have gum disease history, or are pregnant, we may recommend more frequent visits, we'll tell you what fits your mouth specifically.
Most patients feel nothing more than mild pressure or occasional sensitivity, especially around the gumline. If you're anxious about dental visits generally, tell us when you book and we can talk through sedation options.
Bleeding usually means there's inflammation from plaque sitting along the gumline, not that we're doing something wrong. It typically improves within a visit or two once the irritant is removed and you keep up flossing at home.
It helps significantly, since a lot of odor comes from bacteria in plaque and tartar. If bad breath persists after a cleaning, it's worth mentioning to us, since it can also point to gum disease or an unrelated issue worth checking.
Yes. A cleaning removes what's already hardened into tartar, but it doesn't undo six months of missed flossing in the meantime. Daily flossing is what keeps plaque from hardening between visits.
For most plans, yes, routine cleanings are typically covered at 100% twice per year, often without touching your deductible. We'll verify your specific benefits before your appointment so you know the number going in.
A cleaning takes less time than most lunch breaks and it's usually the one dental visit that costs you nothing. Get on the schedule before it slips another six months.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a clear picture of what's possible.
New patients always welcome. Fill out the form and we'll reach out to schedule your visit, or call the office nearest you.