During a dental cleaning, a dental hygienist removes tartar, plaque, buildup, and bacteria from your teeth. The hygienist also assesses your gum health to ensure the cleaning you receive is appropriate for you. Periodontal assessment includes measuring bone levels and gum pockets, clinically assessing your gum levels, visualizing bone levels on radiographs, and noting any bleeding.

If you are due for X-rays or an exam, those can be completed at your cleaning visit as well.

Dental cleanings are preventative. By removing plaque, bacteria, tartar, and buildup, we prevent cavities from forming and ensure gum disease never has a chance to start.

Long-term, it is more cost-effective to maintain regular cleanings than to treat dental decay and gum disease after they develop. Catching issues early means simpler, non-invasive treatment.

Systemic benefits: Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body. Bacteria left unchecked in the mouth has been associated with higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, adverse pregnancy outcomes, increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, and more.

For a healthy mouth, 6-month cleanings are generally recommended. However, for those with gum disease or multiple risk factors, greater frequency or a different type of cleaning may be prescribed.

Factors that affect cleaning frequency include: your risk level for decay, history of gum disease, chronic health conditions, lifestyle factors, diet, oral hygiene habits, and the health status of your periodontium. After a full assessment, we will diagnose and prescribe the appropriate cleaning and schedule for you.

In general, teeth cleanings do not hurt. However, when it has been a long time, your gums can become inflamed and sensitive as debris has had time to accumulate. The hygienist may need to work harder to remove layered tartar, which can cause some discomfort. Staying on top of your cleanings minimizes this.

It is important to note: if you wait too long, bacteria can flourish in hard-to-reach areas, potentially requiring a different type of cleaning or dental treatment before a standard cleaning can occur.

A child's first dental visit should happen by their first birthday or when their first tooth erupts — whichever comes first. Between 12–36 months (or when most baby teeth have erupted) is when a child should have their first dental cleaning.

Preventative care is especially important for children because baby teeth have a much smaller window before decay can reach the nerve.

The actual cleaning portion takes between 30 minutes and one hour, depending on the health of your teeth, the amount of plaque and tartar present, and the type of cleaning prescribed. We generally schedule one hour to thoroughly clean your teeth, discuss oral hygiene technique, perform an exam if you are due, and answer any questions.

Prevention of cavities: Cavities form when bacteria remaining on your teeth turns sugars into acid that eats away at enamel — often in areas that are harder to keep clean (between teeth, near the gumline, or in the grooves of back teeth). A professional cleaning uses specialized instruments to thoroughly clean these areas.

Gum disease: Plaque that hardens into tartar can form underneath your gums, allowing bacteria to attack gums, bone, and the ligaments that hold teeth in place. Professional cleaning is the only way to remove calculus/tartar. The longer tartar stays on your teeth, the more damage it does.

Yes. Bacteria in your mouth are responsible for bad odors. By removing bacteria from even the hardest-to-reach places, a dental cleaning can significantly help eliminate the source of bad breath.

Yes. X-rays allow the dentist to view the entire tooth — including the structure below the gumline and the contact points between teeth where cavities commonly form. They help assess the extent of decay and can even detect early lesions that may still undergo remineralization (avoiding the need for a filling).

Frequency of dental X-rays depends on: history of previous X-rays, your age, and your individual risk for developing decay (determined by diet, existing decay, previous dental work, visible plaque, salivary flow, fluoride exposure, gum status, and more).

During an oral cancer screening, the mucosa of your cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, soft and hard palate, and floor of mouth are examined for any potential abnormalities. A screening is performed at every dental exam (every 6–12 months) and takes only a few minutes to complete.

Risk factors include:

• Tobacco use (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco)
• Alcohol consumption
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• UV light exposure (especially for lip cancer)

There are not always signs or symptoms. When present, they can include:

• A lesion or sore that doesn't heal
• Lumps in the neck
• Unexplained bleeding
• Unexpected loosening of teeth
• Thickening or mass in the gums, cheek, jaw, or face
• Difficulty swallowing or moving the jaw

These symptoms do not mean you have oral cancer — but it is important to share any symptoms with your dentist so they can be properly evaluated.

We use VELscope as an adjunct to oral cancer screenings. This device uses a specific wavelength of blue light and an optical filter that allows dentists to observe structural tissue and cellular changes. It detects changes in fluorescence that could indicate abnormalities in oral mucosa — abnormalities that may not be visible to the naked eye.

You are informed of the finding and provided with a recommended course of action. Not all abnormalities are related to oral cancer or serious problems. However, any changes in the mouth should always be noted and never ignored. We guide you through every step of the process.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the jawbone connects to the skull. TMD (temporomandibular disorders) are conditions that cause pain or dysfunction in the joint and muscles controlling jaw movement. Types include joint pain, degenerative joint disease, disc disorders, and disorders of the chewing muscles (myalgia or myofascial pain).

Some TMDs are chronic, but many last a short time and resolve on their own.

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Pain in the jaw muscles or joint
• Jaw stiffness
• Painful clicking or popping in the jaw joint
• Hearing loss, dizziness, or ringing in the ears
• Changes in how the upper and lower teeth come together

Note: Clicking or popping without pain is common and does not require treatment. Pain in the mouth, face, or jaw is not always related to TMD — other conditions may need to be ruled out.

Diagnosis involves:

• A detailed medical history
• Review of your symptoms (pain, location, triggers)
• A head, neck, and TMJ clinical exam
• X-rays as needed

Treatment options range from conservative to more involved, depending on severity:

• Dietary changes when symptoms arise (softer foods)
• Heat and cold compresses
• Exercises to stretch and strengthen jaw muscles
• Over-the-counter medications
• Breaking habits (jaw clenching, gum chewing, nail biting)
• Physical therapy
• Custom intraoral appliances to minimize tooth damage from clenching/grinding
• Botox injections
• Arthrocentesis or arthroscopy
• Surgical intervention (for severe cases)

Each case is different. Mild cases often resolve on their own without treatment. Factors affecting recovery include: severity of symptoms, the underlying cause of TMD, and lifestyle habits. We will work with you to find the right approach for your specific situation.

A dental hygienist removes tartar, plaque, buildup, and bacteria from your teeth and assesses your gum health. Periodontal assessment includes measuring bone levels, gum pockets, and noting any bleeding. X-rays or an exam can also be completed at the same visit.

Cleanings are preventative — removing bacteria and tartar before they cause cavities or gum disease. They're also more cost-effective than treating problems after they develop.

Systemic benefits: Bacteria left unchecked in the mouth has been linked to higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and Alzheimer's disease.

For a healthy mouth, every 6 months is generally recommended. For those with gum disease or other risk factors, more frequent or different types of cleanings may be prescribed based on a full assessment of your individual situation.

Generally, cleanings don't hurt. But after a long gap, gums can become inflamed and sensitive as debris accumulates, and the hygienist has to work harder to remove layered tartar. Staying on a regular schedule minimizes this discomfort.

First dental visit by the first birthday (or when the first tooth erupts). First cleaning between 12–36 months. Baby teeth have a much smaller window before decay can reach the nerve, so early preventative care is critical.

Between 30 minutes and one hour, depending on your oral health, the amount of tartar present, and the type of cleaning prescribed. We schedule one full hour to clean thoroughly, review technique, and answer questions.

Cavities: Bacteria on teeth turns sugars to acid, eating away at enamel. Professional cleaning removes bacteria from areas brushing and flossing miss.

Gum disease: Plaque hardens into tartar under the gumline, attacking gums, bone, and ligaments. Professional cleaning is the only way to remove tartar — and the longer it stays, the more damage it does.

Yes. Bacteria are responsible for bad odors. By removing bacteria from even hard-to-reach places, a cleaning significantly helps eliminate the source of bad breath.

Yes. X-rays reveal the tooth below the gumline and between teeth — common spots for cavities. They help assess severity and can catch early lesions that may still remineralize (avoiding a filling). Frequency depends on your age, dental history, and individual decay risk.

We examine your cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, palate, and floor of mouth for abnormalities. Performed at every dental exam (every 6–12 months) and takes only a few minutes.

• Tobacco use
• Alcohol consumption
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• UV light exposure

Not always. When present, symptoms can include: a sore that won't heal, neck lumps, unexplained bleeding, loose teeth, thickening in the gums or jaw, or difficulty swallowing. These don't necessarily mean cancer — but always share symptoms with your dentist.

VELscope uses a specific wavelength of blue light to detect tissue and cellular changes invisible to the naked eye — allowing us to catch potential abnormalities much earlier.

We inform you and recommend a course of action. Not all findings are cancer-related, but any mouth changes should be noted and never ignored. We guide you through every step.

The TMJ is where the jawbone connects to the skull. TMD refers to conditions causing pain or dysfunction in the joint and jaw muscles. Signs include jaw pain, stiffness, painful clicking or popping, hearing changes, and bite changes.

Note: Clicking without pain is common and typically doesn't need treatment. Jaw pain is not always TMD — other conditions may need to be ruled out. Many TMDs resolve on their own.

• Detailed medical and symptom history
• Head, neck, and TMJ clinical exam
• X-rays as needed

• Softer diet when symptoms flare
• Heat and cold compresses
• Jaw stretching and strengthening exercises
• Over-the-counter medications
• Habit changes (less gum chewing, nail biting, jaw clenching)
• Physical therapy
• Custom intraoral appliance (night guard)
• Botox, arthrocentesis, or arthroscopy
• Surgical intervention (for severe cases)

Every case is different. Mild TMD often resolves without treatment. Recovery time depends on symptom severity, underlying cause, and lifestyle factors. We'll work with you to find the right approach.