Professional Teeth Cleaning
A professional teeth cleaning helps lower the chances of tooth decay. It is typically performed twice a year or every 6 months, and in cases where there is periodontal disease or an excess of plaque build-up, it is recommended every 3 to 4 months. Your hygienist will remove stains and tartar and aid in your habitual oral hygiene.
A “prophy” or healthy mouth cleaning is a hygiene service for a person who overall presents with healthy gums and teeth. A prophy involves polishing your teeth and cleaning the teeth above the gum line, while periodontal maintenance goes a little bit deeper, slightly below the gumline since you are more susceptible to plaque and tartar based on your previous history of gum disease.
Do not miss out your regular teeth cleaning session. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ann Coambs today. Call us at 704-540-7600.
Most people know they should see a dentist twice a year, but fewer understand exactly what a professional cleaning accomplishes that daily brushing and flossing simply cannot. No matter how thorough your home routine, plaque hardens into tartar within days of forming in certain areas of the mouth — and once it mineralizes, it can only be removed with professional dental instruments. Overtime, tartar buildup at and below the gumline creates the conditions for gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems that are far more involved to treat than a routine cleaning would have been.
At Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum, professional teeth cleanings are at the core of the preventive care we provide. Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs and our hygiene team take the time to clean thoroughly, evaluate your gum health, screen for oral cancer, and give you personalized recommendations for keeping your smile strong between visits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular dental visits play a central role in preventing more serious dental disease across all age groups.
What Happens During a Professional Teeth Cleaning
A professional cleaning appointment at Imagine Dentistry is thorough and methodical. Your hygienist begins by examining your teeth and gums, reviewing any changes since your last visit and checking for signs of early decay, gum inflammation, or other concerns. Digital X-rays, taken at appropriate intervals, allow us to see what is happening between and beneath the teeth where visual examination alone cannot reach.
The cleaning itself involves using specialized instruments to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, including the areas along and just below the gumline where buildup tends to accumulate. This process, called scaling, removes the deposits that your toothbrush and floss cannot reach. After scaling, your hygienist polishes your teeth to remove surface stains and leave your smile feeling clean and refreshed.
Once the cleaning is complete, your dentist performs a comprehensive exam to evaluate your overall oral health, including an oral cancer screening. Any findings — however minor — are discussed with you clearly so you understand the full picture before you leave.
Types of Cleanings We Provide
Not every cleaning is the same, and the type you need depends on your current gum health and history.
A prophylaxis, or prophy, is a healthy-mouth cleaning for patients who overall present with healthy gums and teeth. It involves polishing your teeth and cleaning above the gumline, typically recommended every six months for patients maintaining good oral health.
Periodontal maintenance cleanings go a bit further, cleaning slightly below the gumline in areas where you have a previous history of gum disease. Because patients who have had periodontal disease remain more susceptible to plaque and tartar accumulation in those areas, periodontal maintenance is typically recommended every three to four months rather than every six.
Scaling and root planing, sometimes called a deep cleaning, is a more involved procedure recommended for patients diagnosed with active periodontal disease. It targets deeper pockets below the gumline where bacteria and tartar have accumulated against the root surfaces of the teeth. Our periodontal services address this level of care in detail.
Our team will recommend the right type of cleaning based on your current gum health and any risk factors specific to you.
The Benefits of Routine Dental Cleanings
Regular professional cleanings accomplish more than most patients realize.
- Removing tartar that home brushing cannot reach, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease
- Identifying early signs of decay, gum problems, or oral cancer before they become serious
- Detecting bone loss, abscesses, and other issues visible only on X-rays
- Polishing teeth to remove surface stains for a brighter, cleaner appearance
- Providing personalized oral hygiene guidance tailored to your specific patterns and risk factors
- Giving your dentist a regular baseline for monitoring changes in your oral health over time
Skipping cleanings does not just delay care — it creates an environment where problems can develop undetected until they require significantly more complex treatment.
How Often Should You Come In?
For most patients, a cleaning every six months is the standard recommendation.
However, your hygienist and Dr. Coambs may recommend more frequent visits — typically every three to four months — if you have a history of periodontal disease, are more susceptible to plaque buildup, or have certain systemic health conditions that affect oral health. Diabetes, for example, has a well-documented relationship with gum disease, and more frequent monitoring can make a meaningful difference in managing both conditions effectively.
The frequency of your cleanings is not one-size-fits-all, and our team will make a recommendation based on the current state of your gum health and any risk factors specific to you.
Professional Teeth Cleaning at Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs has been recognized as a Charlotte Magazine Top Dentist for nine consecutive years and holds a Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), reflecting her commitment to ongoing clinical education. Our boutique practice in the Arboretum area of south Charlotte is designed to feel comfortable and unhurried — we take the time to explain what we find and answer your questions at every visit.
We accept most dental insurance plans, which typically cover preventive care including cleanings and exams at little or no out-of-pocket cost. For patients without insurance, our Love Your Smile membership plan provides access to cleanings, exams, and X-rays along with meaningful discounts on other treatments. Do not wait until a problem develops — contact our office to schedule your next professional cleaning today.
Dental Insurance
We accept most dental insurances, and we will always work to get the most out of your benefits. If it would help to break up the cost of your care into smaller monthly payments, we are prepared to discuss payment plan options with you. We offer an excellent Membership Plan with our office, as well as financing with Care Credit. If you are looking for a dentist in Charlotte, NC, our team will be delighted to assist you in scheduling an appointment today.
Dental Membership Plan
We offer an excellent Membership Plan designed specifically for patients without traditional insurance coverage. Our “Love.Your.Smile.” plans provide access to preventive care, including regular checkups, cleanings, and x-rays, along with valuable discounts on additional treatments. If you’re looking for transparent pricing and quality dental care without the hassle of insurance claims, our membership plan may be the perfect solution for you and your family. Our team will be happy to discuss which plan best fits your needs during your visit!
