A Dental Cleaning, Also Known as a Dental Prophylaxis or Teeth Cleaning
Preventive dentistry in Boca Raton
Dental Cleanings
A routine cleaning, also called a dental prophylaxis, is the visit most patients make twice a year. A registered dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar, polishes the teeth, and checks the gums. Dr. Carly Polin reviews the findings at the same visit.
Most cleanings take about 45 minutes. For most people, a checkup and cleaning every 6 months is the usual schedule. Some patients, especially those with a history of gum disease, are seen every 3 to 4 months.
What happens at a cleaning
- The hygienist examines the teeth and gums and measures the pocket depth around each tooth. A reading over 4 millimeters can mean gum disease and may need more than a routine cleaning.
- Plaque and hardened tartar are scaled off the tooth surfaces, especially along the gumline. Tartar cannot be brushed off at home.
- Teeth are polished to lift surface stain and leave a smoother surface that plaque does not grip as easily.
- Floss is used to clear between the teeth. Fluoride may be applied for children and for adults who would benefit from it.
- Dr. Polin completes the exam, reviews X-rays when they are due, and screens for oral cancer. Digital X-rays are taken as needed, not at every visit.
A routine cleaning is for healthy gums. If the gums are infected, the visit may be a periodontal scaling and root planing instead. That is planned separately. Gum disease treatment explains the difference. The exam itself is covered on the oral exam page.
Your hygienist
Cleanings at Polin Dental are done by a registered dental hygienist. You will usually see the same hygienist at each recall.
Kimberly, RDH
Graduated from Palm Beach State College in 1995 and has been with Polin Dental since 1998.
Leidi, RDH
Board-certified registered dental hygienist. Also earned a dental degree from UCE in the Dominican Republic in 2011. Joined the practice in 2023.
Vikie, RDH
Registered dental hygienist with 15 years of experience. Graduated from Edouard-Montpetit College in 2005 and joined Polin Dental in 2021.
Who a cleaning is for
Routine cleanings are for children, teens, and adults. New patients start with a comprehensive exam, which includes an oral-cancer screening, a gum and bone evaluation, and any X-rays needed to plan care. Established patients are checked for changes since the last visit.
Home care still matters between visits. A soft brush, daily floss, and fluoride toothpaste cover what a cleaning cannot do every day. Home care tips
Common questions
Book a cleaning in Boca Raton
Polin Dental, 2600 N Military Trail #320, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Call Call (561) 997-2323 or request a time online.
Schedule a cleaning