We see regular dental cleaning as an investment in your health. Our office calls it “Continuing Care Appointments” because our service is much more than scraping plaque and flossing teeth. We partner with you to improve your oral hygiene, quality of life, and dazzling smile. Dental cleanings play a vital role in maintaining a healthy smile. For adults, routine professional teeth cleanings are one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. These visits keep your mouth free of harmful plaque and bacteria and allow your dental team to catch early signs of other health issues. To learn more about keeping your gums in top shape, be sure to check out our blog page, Dental Cleanings: What You Should Do for Healthy Gums.

In our dental office, every patient deserves to feel informed and comfortable during their visit. That’s why our team takes the time to walk you through each part of your appointment as it happens. From the initial exam to the final polish, we’re here to explain every step and answer any questions you may have. To learn more about what to expect, visit our blog post, Which Steps Are Performed During a Professional Tooth Cleaning Procedure? You're not alone if you’ve ever wondered what happens during a dental cleaning. Many patients come to us asking what to expect and whether the process is uncomfortable. We go out of our way to make every experience relaxing, informative, and pain-free.

If you'd like to prepare ahead of your visit, we’ve created a helpful guide called the “Dental Care Appointment Itinerary” to give you a general idea of what to expect. Please note that our dedicated dental hygienists are passionate about your well-being, so if they identify any concerns during your visit, they may adjust the sequence to address them promptly. To better understand how your dental health ties into your overall wellness, we encourage you to read our blog post, Impact of Oral Health on Overall Well-being.

1) Blood Pressure

Once you are seated in one of our comfortable dental chairs, your highly trained dental hygienist will begin the appointment by taking your blood pressure. We do this routinely to check for any health issues that may have developed since your last visit with your primary doctor. This is a critical first step in the step-by-step dental cleaning process. High or low blood pressure readings can affect your dental care plan, especially if specific procedures or medications are being considered.

2) Medical History

Your hygienist will then review your medical history and verify any changes. It is extremely important to ensure you receive the correct medications. We want to ensure that any prescriptions we give you do not interact adversely with any of the medicines you are already taking. A thorough health review is essential for identifying changes such as pregnancy, which can significantly impact oral health due to hormonal shifts that increase the risk of gum disease and other dental concerns. Recognizing these changes allows us to tailor a professional teeth cleaning that is both safe and effective for your current needs. To learn more, visit our blog page, Pregnancy and the Impact on Oral Health.

3) X-Rays

Any necessary X-rays will be taken at this time. SDS will take X-rays to check for cavities between teeth once a year and a full set of teeth and jaw X-rays every three years. We will take additional X-rays if necessary. Dental X-rays provide a deeper look into areas that visual exams can't access. They help detect infections, hidden decay, impacted teeth, and bone loss, allowing us to take preventive action early and avoid future complications.

4) Tooth Photo Shoot

The SDS team will then take digital photos of your teeth. We do this so that if there are any problems or abnormalities, we can show them to you without trying to find the right angle of a handheld mirror. You’ll be able to see exactly where your toothbrush is missing or what your cavity looks like. This innovative approach improves communication and empowers patients to better understand their oral health. These photos become part of your dental record and are valuable tools for tracking changes over time.

5) Periodontal Assessment

Your dental hygienist will begin with a periodontal assessment to evaluate the condition of your gums. If signs of gum disease are present, we’ll explain the recommended treatment plan and schedule your periodontal therapy. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to serious complications, as outlined in our blog, Risks of Gum Disease. If your gums are healthy, we’ll proceed with thorough plaque removal to help maintain optimal oral health. During this evaluation, we measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums. Pockets that exceed healthy limits can be stages of gum disease, which may require more extensive cleanings. Knowing what happens during a dental cleaning, especially for gum care, is key to understanding its importance.

6) Plaque Removal

Next, your SDS dental hygienist will use a dual water and vibration tool and a small metal instrument to remove calcified plaque from your teeth. By removing the plaque, the SDS professionals are reducing your risk of cavities and discomfort in the future. This also helps make your smile bigger and brighter.

Plaque and tartar buildup are the root causes of most dental problems. Removing them during a professional teeth cleaning can help prevent inflammation, tooth decay, and even bad breath. For those asking, "Is dental cleaning painful?" rest assured, this process is gentle and typically well-tolerated.

7) Polishing

The hygienist will then polish your teeth with a lightly abrasive paste (the rubber polishing cup), which makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate between appointments, keeping your mouth shining for longer. Tooth polishing improves the appearance of teeth and enhances the smoothness of enamel surfaces, making it harder for bacteria to attach and form new plaque.

8) Flossing and Home Care

Next, your dental hygienist will floss your teeth and review your home care instructions. If you have problems in specific teeth/mouth care areas, your SDS dental hygienist will work with you to find solutions that fit into your life.

This personalized guidance helps improve your brushing and flossing routine at home. Whether you prefer an electric or manual toothbrush, we recommend the best options to support your dental health. This part of your visit emphasizes the importance of consistent care between appointments. For more insights, check out our blog on Electric or Manual to see which brushing method may be right for your child.

9) Enter the Dentist

Your dentist will then examine your teeth for signs of decay. Your SDS dentist will then test how your upper and lower teeth come together, and they will look for evidence of tooth grinding or problems with the temporomandibular joint (the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull). They will supply you with various individualized solutions if they find any problems during this step.

This comprehensive exam is a critical component of the visit, ensuring that no issues go unnoticed. We also check existing restorations, such as dental crowns or fillings, to confirm their integrity and function. Knowing what to expect during a dental cleaning includes this crucial diagnostic step.

10) Soft Tissue Check

Your SDS dentist will also examine your neck, lymph glands, palate, and the soft tissues of your mouth (cheeks, tongue, lips, and floor of the mouth) for signs of oral cancer. Unfortunately, oral cancer rates are on the rise due to their link to the HPV virus. To combat this, we have an advanced screening tool called the VELscope, which allows Dr. Patel to see underneath the tissue for abnormalities. We recommend having the enhanced screening done once a year for all adult patients.

The soft tissue exam is often overlooked in many dental offices, but we prioritize it at SDS. Early detection saves lives, and our latest technology gives you the best chance of catching issues before they become serious.

11) Smile!

After completing your SDS cleaning, we’ll capture your refreshed, radiant smile with a LumiSmile photo to highlight your Hollywood-worthy results. Before leaving, we recommend scheduling your next visit to stay on track with your dental care. Don’t forget to collect your complimentary toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste from our friendly front desk team. For more insight into maintaining a bright smile, visit our blog, Professional vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening: Obtaining Your Hollywood Smile.

To finish your visit on a high note, we celebrate your healthy smile and help you maintain it until your next professional cleaning. Consistent care is your best defense against future dental issues and your best path to lasting oral health.

Final Thoughts on Dental Cleanings at SDS

Coming to see us at Schaumburg Dental Studio regularly for a care appointment and checkup is just as important for your health as going to the gym or bathing. The state of your mouth, gums, and teeth is not only imperative to eating, talking, and smiling, but your dentist can also identify other serious health problems through abnormalities in your mouth and teeth, such as early signs of decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or other dental issues, and address them as soon as possible.

Whether you’re new to the area or you’ve been with us for years, we welcome you to experience the difference of our compassionate, comprehensive approach. If you’ve been wondering “is dental cleaning painful” or “what happens during a dental cleaning,” we’re here to walk you through it every step of the way, with comfort, clarity, and care. To schedule your next care appointment at our exceptional facilities, call us today at (847) 558-2797 or Request a Dental Appointment.