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A comprehensive evaluation of your oral health including digital X-rays, oral cancer screening, and professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.
• Catches small issues before they become painful or expensive.
• Includes a thorough oral cancer screening at every visit.
• Leaves your teeth feeling smooth, clean, and refreshed.
Everyone! We recommend this foundational visit every 6 months, or every 3–4 months if you have a history of gum disease.
Your hygienist will gently remove plaque and tartar, followed by a detailed exam and digital X-rays by the doctor. We’ll review the findings with you and create a personalized, easy-to-understand care plan.
No. Our hygienists are trained in gentle techniques. If you have sensitive teeth, just let us know, and we can use desensitizing agents.
A routine cleaning should not be painful, but it is completely normal to experience mild sensitivity for a day or two afterward, especially if it has been a while since your last visit or if you have slight gum recession.
Your teeth may feel temporarily sensitive to cold air or cold liquids. This happens because we have removed the insulating layer of tartar that was covering your teeth! The sensitivity will subside quickly. If you are highly sensitive, please let us know before we start—we can apply a soothing desensitizing agent or use gentle numbing gel to keep you completely comfortable.
For most patients with healthy gums, we recommend a professional cleaning every 6 months. This keeps tartar at bay and allows us to catch any small issues before they become big problems.
However, we customize this schedule based on your unique health needs. We may recommend coming in every 3 to 4 months if you:
• Have a history of gum disease or periodontal pockets.
• Are pregnant (hormonal changes can affect gum health).
• Have diabetes or a condition that affects your immune system.
• Are prone to rapid tartar buildup or cavities.
A professional cleaning will definitely make your smile look brighter and fresher, but it is not a substitute for actual teeth whitening.
During a prophylaxis, we polish away extrinsic (surface) stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, and food, revealing the natural, clean surface of your enamel. However, it does not change the underlying, natural shade of your teeth. If you are looking for a dramatically whiter smile, we recommend our professional Opalescence Teeth Whitening treatment!
Seeing blood in the sink can be alarming, but bleeding gums are actually a very common sign of inflammation (gingivitis) caused by plaque and tartar buildup along the gumline.
When we gently clean away that bacteria, the inflamed tissue may bleed slightly. The best way to stop the bleeding is to keep up with your professional cleanings and your daily brushing and flossing at home. As your gums become healthier and tighter, the bleeding will completely stop!
This is one of the most common questions we get! The difference comes down to maintenance versus treatment.
• Prophylaxis (Regular Cleaning): This is a preventive measure for patients with generally healthy gums. We remove plaque, tartar, and stains from above the gumline to keep your smile healthy and bright.
• Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning): This is a therapeutic procedure for patients actively showing signs of gum disease (like deep gum pockets or bone loss). We clean below the gumline and smooth the tooth roots to help the gums reattach and heal.
It is completely normal to feel nervous about visiting the dentist, and you are not alone. At Advanced Dental Care of Toledo, we specialize in creating a calm, judgment-free environment. We will explain every step before we do it, go at your pace, and you can always raise your hand to ask us to pause. Please tell us about your specific fears when you book your appointment so we can tailor your visit to your comfort level.
Brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of your at-home oral care. We recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Angle the brush at 45 degrees to the gums to gently sweep away plaque. Floss daily by gently sliding the floss between teeth and curving it into a "C" shape around the base of each tooth to clean below the gumline, where your brush can't reach.
