Maintaining good oral health at home is important, but getting your teeth cleaned regularly by your dentist helps detect cavities and early signs of gum disease or oral cancer.
Many oral health problems don’t present symptoms during their early stages, meaning that most patients don’t notice something until an issue is already quite advanced and difficult to treat. To save you from this kind of headache, we recommend getting at least two checkups and cleanings each year. These appointments will enable our dentists to find and treat any dental decay or damage as early as possible. A dedicated cleaning will remove harmful plaque and tartar from those hard-to-reach areas in your mouth to stop cavities before they even start.
One of the greatest benefits of routine dental checkups and cleanings is the ability to detect tooth decay at its earliest stage — before it develops into a larger cavity. When enamel begins to weaken, it may not yet require a traditional filling. In certain cases, early-stage decay can be treated with a minimally invasive regenerative approach designed to strengthen and repair enamel without the need for drilling or injections. This conservative option may be especially beneficial for early enamel lesions, white spot areas, children and teens, and patients who prefer a preventive-focused approach to care. If decay has progressed deeper into the tooth, a filling may still be necessary; however, early detection during your cleaning provides more treatment options and helps preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible.
One of the most important things you can do for your overall health is to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once is critical — but another important part of maintaining good oral health is getting your teeth professionally cleaned.
The American Dental Association recommends regular dental visits, including teeth cleanings, to maintain optimal oral health.
We use the EMS Airflow® Guided Biofilm Therapy system to provide a more comfortable and effective cleaning experience.
Unlike traditional polishing methods that rely heavily on scraping and abrasive paste, EMS Airflow uses a controlled stream of warm water, air, and fine powder to gently remove plaque, stains, and harmful biofilm.
Professional cleanings should be both effective and comfortable — and advanced technology allows us to deliver both.
During professional teeth cleanings, your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, deep-brush your teeth, and apply a fluoride treatment to your teeth. This type of cleaning isn’t possible to achieve with at-home hygiene practices.
A professional cleaning of your teeth is essential to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease (periodontitis).
After your cleaning, we may recommend a protective enamel treatment to help strengthen and safeguard your teeth.
In addition to traditional fluoride, we offer nano-hydroxyapatite varnish — a biocompatible mineral that closely mimics the natural structure of tooth enamel. This advanced treatment helps:
When combined with thorough biofilm removal and early detection, enamel strengthening treatments help protect your smile between visits.
There are four types of dental cleanings:
There is virtually no downside to having your teeth professionally cleaned. Cleanings are as minimally invasive as dental treatments can be, requiring no numbing of the mouth and little time in the dentist’s chair. Regular (prophylaxis) teeth cleanings typically take 30-60 minutes to perform. Some patients may dislike the feel or taste of the gritty toothpaste used for the deep brushing phase or the taste of the fluoride treatment, but these phases each last just a few minutes.
There are significant advantages to having your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis:
Professional teeth cleanings typically follow these steps:
1. Physical Exam. Most teeth cleanings are performed by a dental hygienist. Before the cleaning process begins, they start with a dental exam, using a small mirror to check around your teeth and gums for any potential concerns.
2. Removal of plaque and tartar. The dental hygienist uses a scaler to get rid of plaque and tartar around your gum line, as well as between your teeth. The more tartar there is on your teeth, the more time your hygienist will need to scrape a particular spot.
3. Gritty toothpaste cleaning. The hygienist then brushes your teeth with a high-powered electric brush and gritty toothpaste. This is a great way to give your teeth a deep cleaning and remove any tartar left behind from the scaler.
4. Expert flossing. Whether you floss regularly at home or not, nothing beats an expert flossing session. Your dental hygienist can get deep between your teeth and locate any potential trouble spots where you might bleed at the gums.
5. Rinsing. Next, you’ll rinse out your mouth to get rid of any debris. Your dental hygienist may give you a rinse that contains liquid fluoride.
6. Applying fluoride treatment. The last step of the cleaning process is a fluoride treatment. This treatment is used as a protectant for your teeth to help fight against cavities for several months. Your dental hygienist will place a foamy gel or a sticky paste containing fluoride on your teeth for one minute. After removing the gel or paste, your dentist will inform you as to when you can next eat or drink (typically within 30 minutes.)
7. Other potential steps. X-rays are normally done once a year. Depending on what your dentist or dental hygienist observes in your mouth, they might do other exams during your visit.
Signs of a dental cavity or tooth decay include:
Most patients benefit from a dental cleaning every six months. However, patients with gum disease or higher cavity risk may need more frequent visits to maintain optimal oral health.
Yes. During your cleaning and exam, we carefully evaluate your teeth for early signs of decay. Many cavities begin without pain or visible symptoms, which is why routine visits are so important.
If we detect early-stage enamel weakening, we may be able to treat it before it becomes a larger cavity. In some cases, early decay can be managed with a minimally invasive regenerative treatment called Curodont, which is designed to help strengthen and repair enamel — often without drilling or injections.
If the decay has progressed deeper into the tooth, a traditional filling may still be necessary. Our goal is always to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Once a cavity forms deeper in the tooth, it cannot heal on its own. However, very early enamel changes may be strengthened and stabilized when detected early. This is another reason why routine cleanings are essential — they allow us to intervene at the earliest stage possible.
For a comprehensive array of dental solutions for everyone in your family, trust the experienced, caring team at Laguna Family Dentistry in Laguna Beach. From routine exams, cleanings, and periodontal therapy to restorative procedures like dentures, partials, and more, we’re your premier destination for exceptional oral healthcare. Contact our office today to schedule your visit and see the difference our dedication and skill make in your smile.
