Our services
Dental Hygiene & Cleaning in Lakewood, CO
Regular dental hygiene & cleaning in Lakewood, CO is one of the simplest ways to protect your teeth and gums, for every age in your family.
A professional cleaning removes the plaque and hardened tartar that brushing and flossing at home cannot reach. Paired with a regular exam, it helps catch cavities and gum problems early, when they are easier and less costly to treat.
Lakewood Smiles provides cleanings for patients of all ages. We explain what we see in plain language, point out any spots that need extra attention at home, and never pressure you into treatment.
- Preventive cleanings for every age
- Exams that catch problems early
- Deep cleanings when gums need more care
- Practical tips for better home care
What a professional dental cleaning is
A routine cleaning, sometimes called a prophylaxis, removes plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and just under the gumline. Tartar is plaque that has hardened, and once it forms it can only be removed with professional instruments. The visit usually finishes with polishing and flossing, and it goes hand in hand with an exam by the dentist.
When gum disease has caused pockets to form below the gumline, a deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing may be recommended. It cleans the root surfaces under the gums so they can heal, and the area is usually numbed first. Regular cleanings are a core part of family dentistry at every age.
Who needs regular cleanings
Everyone with natural teeth benefits from professional cleanings, including children. Some people may need them more often, for example if they have had gum disease before, smoke, have diabetes, are pregnant, or have braces or other appliances that make cleaning harder.
Children's visits are also a good time to talk about dental sealants for their back teeth. People who wear full dentures still need checkups, because the gums, tongue, and soft tissues of the mouth should be examined too.
What to expect at a cleaning visit
The visit usually starts with a review of your health history and medications. Your gums are checked for signs of inflammation, often by measuring the small space between each tooth and the gum with a thin probe. Healthy gums have shallow spaces, and deeper ones can be an early sign of gum disease.
Next, plaque and tartar are removed with small instruments, and the teeth are polished and flossed. X-rays are taken when they are needed to check between teeth and below the gumline. The dentist then examines your teeth, gums, and mouth, explains what was found in plain language, and suggests next steps, such as a filling for a small cavity, if anything needs care.
Aftercare and home care between cleanings
After a routine cleaning you can eat and drink normally. After a deep cleaning, the gums may feel tender or bleed a little for a few days, and teeth can be sensitive to cold while the gums heal. Our post-operative care page has printable instructions for after a deep cleaning.
Between visits, brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth once a day. Gums that bleed when you floss are usually inflamed, not injured, and they often improve within a week or two of flossing every day. Limiting sugary snacks and drinks, and not smoking, also help keep your gums healthy.
Insurance and payment for dental cleanings
Many dental plans cover routine exams and cleanings as preventive care, often at their highest level and often twice a year. A deep cleaning for gum disease is usually classified as a different service with its own coverage, so it is worth checking both.
Lakewood Smiles accepts select plans from Delta Dental PPO, Cigna PPO, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, GEHA, Humana, MetLife, Guardian and Medicaid. Not every plan from each carrier is accepted, so please call 303-988-6860 before your visit and we can check whether we are in network with your specific plan. Any estimate is based on information from your dental benefits company and is not a guarantee of payment. You can see the insurance list and billing notes on our contact page.
Ready to book?
New patients always welcome. We'll help you find a time that works.
Common questions about dental hygiene & cleaning
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Many people do well with a cleaning and exam every six months, but the right schedule depends on your mouth. Someone with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, or a health condition such as diabetes may need cleanings more often. Someone with very healthy gums may need them less often. The dentist will recommend a schedule based on what is found at your exam.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and just under the gumline, and it is meant for healthy gums. A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, reaches further below the gumline to clean the root surfaces when gum disease has caused pockets to form. It is often done one section of the mouth at a time, with the area numbed.
Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
Bleeding gums are usually a sign of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, caused by plaque along the gumline. It is tempting to stop flossing when you see blood, but daily flossing is usually what helps the gums heal. If bleeding continues after a week or two of careful daily flossing, or your gums are swollen or receding, mention it at your next visit or call the office.
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
Most people find a routine cleaning easy to sit through, with a feeling of scraping and pressure rather than pain. Areas with inflamed gums or heavy tartar can feel more sensitive. If anything feels sharp or uncomfortable, say so, and the approach can be adjusted. For a deep cleaning, the area is usually numbed first. Regular cleanings tend to feel easier because less tartar builds up between visits.
Do I need X-rays at every cleaning?
Not usually. How often X-rays are taken depends on your age, your risk of cavities and gum disease, and any symptoms you have. They show problems the eye cannot see, such as decay between teeth, bone loss around roots, and infections. The dentist recommends X-rays only when they are likely to help, and you are always welcome to ask why a particular X-ray is being taken.
Will a cleaning make my teeth whiter?
A cleaning removes surface stain from things like coffee, tea, and tobacco, so many people notice their teeth look brighter afterward. It does not change the natural color of your enamel, though. If you would like your teeth to be several shades lighter, professional teeth whitening is designed for that, and it works best on teeth that have just been cleaned.