Comprehensive Teeth Cleaning in Beverly Hills, CA
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kayla Lebeau, DDS
What a cleaning is actually for
Plaque is soft and you can remove it yourself. Within about two days, the parts you miss harden into tartar, which is bonded to the tooth and cannot be brushed off by anyone. A cleaning removes that, from above and just below the gum line, before your gums start reacting to it.
That is the whole purpose. The polish at the end is pleasant, but the scaling is the treatment.
- Usually takes45 to 60 minutes
- How oftenEvery 6 months for most people
- NumbingNot normally needed
- IncludesGums, teeth, soft tissues
Come sooner than six months if
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss
- You can see or feel buildup behind your lower front teeth
- You smoke, or drink a lot of coffee, tea or red wine
- You have had gum disease. You belong on a three-month cycle instead
- You are pregnant, diabetic, or your mouth is often dry
What happens in the appointment
- A look and a measureGums are checked for bleeding and pocket depth before anything else. If those numbers show disease, you need deep cleaning, not a polish over the top, and we will say so rather than proceed regardless.
- Ultrasonic scalingA fine vibrating tip with water breaks off hardened deposits. It is quick and does most of the work. Tell us if anything is sensitive; we can adjust the setting or numb an area.
- Hand scalingFiner instruments finish the areas the ultrasonic cannot reach cleanly, particularly between the teeth and just under the gum edge.
- PolishingA prophy paste removes surface stain and leaves the tooth smooth, which slows how quickly plaque re-attaches.
- Fluoride, and a planFluoride varnish where it will help, and a straight answer about which two or three spots you are consistently missing.
Making it last until the next one
- Clean between your teeth daily. This is the single change that alters outcomes most, because tartar forms where the brush never reaches.
- Two minutes, twice a day, soft bristles, angled into the gum line rather than scrubbed across it.
- Do not rinse after brushing. Spit and leave it. Rinsing washes away the fluoride you just applied.
- An electric brush helps most people, mainly because the timer makes them brush for long enough.
- Sensitivity for a day or two after a cleaning is normal, particularly if there was a lot of buildup.
Does a cleaning hurt?
For healthy gums, no. It is pressure, vibration and water. If your gums are inflamed it can be tender, and we can numb areas. Say something rather than gripping the chair.
Will it damage my enamel?
No. Scaling removes deposits from the enamel surface; it does not remove enamel. Aggressive brushing at home does far more damage than a professional cleaning ever will.
Will it whiten my teeth?
It removes surface staining from coffee, tea, wine and smoking, which often looks like whitening. It does not change the natural color of the tooth. That is what whitening does.
My gums bleed during cleaning. Is that bad?
It means inflammation is present. Healthy gums do not bleed when instrumented. It is information, not a complaint about the hygienist.
How often do I really need one?
Six months suits most people. Some need three or four months, and a few with excellent gums can go longer. It should be based on your gum measurements, not on a default.
Can I skip it if my teeth feel fine?
Gum disease and early decay are painless. By the time either hurts, the cheap window has closed.
Book a cleaning and a proper look
- (310) 860-6969Someone here answers.
- Request a visitWe will call to confirm.
- Pick a time onlineChoose your own slot.