Cleaning & Hygiene in Greensboro, NC

If you're not in any pain, it's easy to assume a cleaning can wait. But plaque builds up on your teeth every day, and once it hardens into tartar, no amount of brushing or flossing at home can remove it, only a professional cleaning can. Left alone, that buildup leads to cavities and gum disease, and gum disease left untreated is one of the main reasons adults eventually lose teeth.

A routine cleaning is essentially a reset button: it clears out what your toothbrush can't reach, and it gives Dr. Locklear a chance to catch small issues, a cavity, an early sign of gum disease, a cracked filling, while they're still simple and inexpensive to treat rather than after they've turned into pain or a bigger procedure. Cleanings also support more than just your mouth; the same gum inflammation linked to periodontal disease has real ties to your overall health, including heart disease and diabetes.

What TO Expect At Dental Cleanings

During your visit, our hygienist gently removes plaque and tartar from your teeth and along the gumline using hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler, paying extra attention to spots like your back molars where buildup tends to collect. We then polish your teeth to lift surface stains from coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco and leave your smile feeling genuinely clean, followed by a thorough flossing. For most patients this process is simple and comfortable, staying at or just below the gumline, and if you have sensitive teeth or dental anxiety, we're glad to talk through numbing options to keep you at ease.

We typically recommend a cleaning every six months, though if you're managing gum disease or other issues, we may suggest coming in more often. At the same visit, we'll often recommend dental x-rays to check what's happening beneath the surface, and depending on your needs, treatments like fluoride, dental sealants, or an oral cancer screening as well, all quick, painless, and easy to fit into the same appointment.