General Dentistry
Dental Cleanings & Check-ups
The single most cost-effective thing you can do for your long-term dental health. Regular cleanings catch small problems before they become big ones — and a thorough cleaning leaves your mouth feeling cleaner than anything you can do at home.
Why it matters
Benefits
- Catches cavities and gum issues early, when they're small and cheap to fix.
- Removes hardened tartar that brushing and flossing can't.
- Includes oral cancer screening at every visit.
- Direct-billed to most insurance plans — minimal out-of-pocket for most patients.
- Honest recommendations — we won't sell you treatment you don't need.
What to expect
The process
- 01
Welcome and review
We confirm any changes to your medical history, medications, or concerns since your last visit. New patient? We allow extra time on your first cleaning to get to know you.
- 02
Exam
A thorough check of your teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw — plus an oral cancer screening. X-rays are taken only when actually needed (typically every 12–24 months for healthy patients).
- 03
Cleaning (scaling)
Your hygienist removes plaque and hardened tartar from above and below the gumline. This is the part that brushing and flossing at home can't replicate.
- 04
Polish and fluoride
A polish removes surface stains and smooths the tooth surface so plaque has less to grip onto. A fluoride treatment strengthens the enamel.
- 05
Recommendations
We discuss what we found, anything that needs follow-up, and any home-care tweaks that would help. You leave with a clear plan, not a surprise.
Why cleanings matter even if you brush well
Brushing and flossing at home removes most plaque, but they can’t remove tartar — hardened mineral deposits that build up at and below the gumline. Tartar irritates the gums and creates pockets where bacteria thrive. Over months, that’s what leads to gum disease, bone loss, and eventually loose teeth.
A professional cleaning removes that tartar with tools specifically designed for it. There’s no home equivalent.
Cleanings also catch things you can’t see:
- Small cavities between teeth, before they need fillings.
- Early gum disease before it causes bone loss.
- Worn teeth that suggest you’re grinding at night.
- Oral cancer screening — early-stage signs are very treatable; late-stage isn’t.
What “honest” cleaning looks like
You shouldn’t leave your cleaning with a surprise treatment plan twice the size of last visit’s. Our approach:
- We won’t push deep cleanings that aren’t clinically necessary. Some clinics default-recommend a $1,000+ scaling-and-root-planing to most patients. We do it only when gum disease is actually present.
- We won’t overuse x-rays. Healthy patients don’t need a full set every visit.
- We won’t sell you “treatments” you don’t need. Whitening, sealants, deep cleanings — we offer them when they make sense, not as a default upsell.
What to expect on your first visit
If it’s been a while or you’re a brand-new patient, your first cleaning visit is a bit longer than routine ones — closer to 90 minutes. That gives us time to do a complete exam, full set of x-rays (if needed), and a thorough cleaning. Subsequent visits are usually 45–60 minutes.
Book a cleaning or call 403-271-2221. New patients welcome — direct billing to most insurance plans.
FAQ
Questions we hear most often
- How often should I come in for a cleaning?
- Every 6 months is standard for most adults. Higher-risk patients (history of gum disease, smokers, certain medical conditions, those with orthodontic appliances) may benefit from every 3–4 months. We'll let you know if that applies to you.
- How much does a cleaning cost in Calgary?
- A standard cleaning + exam is one of the most insurance-covered procedures in dentistry — most patients pay little to nothing out-of-pocket. We direct-bill most insurance plans. If you don't have coverage, a typical visit is in the $200–$400 range depending on what's needed.
- What's the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
- A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gumline — the maintenance most patients need. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes deeper, treating bacteria pockets under the gums when gum disease is present. We only recommend a deep cleaning when it's clinically needed.
- My teeth are sensitive — will the cleaning hurt?
- Mild sensitivity is normal, especially if it's been a while since your last cleaning or if you have gum recession. We can use topical numbing gel for sensitive spots, and your hygienist will adjust technique. Most patients describe a cleaning as 'a bit annoying, never painful.'
- Do I really need x-rays?
- Not at every visit. We typically take a full set every 5 years and limited follow-up x-rays every 12–24 months for healthy patients — sometimes less often. The goal is to catch hidden decay or bone loss between the teeth, which isn't visible to the eye. We always explain what we're looking for before taking any.
- I haven't been to a dentist in years. Am I going to be lectured?
- No. We see this constantly — sometimes anxiety, sometimes life got busy, sometimes a bad experience years ago. Our job is to figure out where you are now and build a plan forward. No guilt trips.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a consultation.
We'll listen first, then build a plan around your goals and comfort.