Dental Cleanings & Preventative Care

For most people, yes, because plaque hardens into tartar within days and no amount of brushing removes it once it does. Six months is the starting point, not a rule. If you have bleeding gums, deeper pockets, or a history of gum treatment, Dr. Hanam-Jahr may recommend a three or four month interval instead. The ADA notes that regular visits catch problems early, when treatment is simpler and more affordable. Ask what interval fits your mouth rather than assuming the default. Call (310) 276-2088 to schedule.

A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar above the gumline and suits gums that are healthy. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, reaches below the gumline into periodontal pockets and smooths the tooth root so bacteria have less to cling to. The American Academy of Periodontology describes scaling beneath the gumline to remove plaque and bacterial toxins from periodontal pockets. Which one you need depends on pocket depth measurements, bleeding, and X-rays, not on preference.

Healthy gums usually feel only light pressure and scraping during a cleaning. Discomfort tends to mean something is already inflamed, or tartar has built up close to the gumline where the tissue is tender. Cleveland Clinic covers what a professional cleaning involves and how discomfort gets managed. Tell us before we start if you have sensitive spots or a rough past experience. We can numb an area, slow down, or split the visit into two appointments.

X-rays show what an exam cannot, including decay starting between teeth, bone loss around roots, and infection at the tip of a root. They are not taken at every visit by default. The ADA now advises ordering X-rays only when clinically necessary, and no longer recommends lead aprons or thyroid collars. If you are unsure why an image is being taken, ask. You should get a clear reason before the machine is positioned.

Gum inflammation is linked to problems well beyond the mouth. Harvard Health reports that people with gum disease carry two to three times the risk of a heart attack or stroke, with chronic inflammation as the likely common thread. The link is an association rather than a proven cause, and shared risk factors like smoking may explain part of it. Staying on a cleaning schedule keeps bacteria and inflammation low either way.