Regular cleanings are the simplest way to keep your teeth for life. Our hygienists remove the plaque and tartar your toothbrush misses, spot early signs of gum disease and help you build habits that actually work at home.
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. If it is not removed, it hardens into tartar, also called calculus, within a few days. Tartar cannot be brushed off at home, and it irritates the gums, causing redness, bleeding and bad breath.
Over time this can progress from gingivitis to periodontitis, where the gums and bone that hold teeth in place start to break down. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults and has been linked with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Regular hygiene visits stop this cycle early. They also give us the chance to find small cavities, cracked fillings and other problems before they turn into toothaches or emergencies. If you already have pain, see our emergency dentist page.
We update your medical history, then measure the pockets around each tooth to track gum health over time.
An ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments remove tartar above and below the gumline, including the hard-to-reach back teeth.
Polishing removes surface stains and smooths the teeth so plaque has a harder time sticking.
Fluoride strengthens enamel. Sealants protect deep grooves in children’s back teeth. See our children’s dentistry page for more.
The dentist checks for decay, cracks and oral cancer signs and reviews digital X-rays when needed.
If your pockets are deeper than four millimetres or there is bone loss, a regular cleaning is not enough. Scaling and root planing cleans the root surfaces deep below the gumline so the gums can reattach and tighten. It is usually done in two to four visits, with freezing for comfort.
After a deep cleaning, most patients move to a three or four month maintenance schedule. Keeping that schedule is the most important factor in stopping gum disease from returning.
Gum health also affects other treatment. Healthy gums are needed before dental implants, veneers or Invisalign.
Twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, angled at 45 degrees toward the gumline.
Floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser all work. Pick the one you will actually use.
Frequent snacking matters more than the amount. Keep sweets to mealtimes and drink water after.
Sensitive after a cleaning? It is common and usually short lived. Read why teeth feel sensitive after a cleaning and how often you should get a dental cleaning for more advice. Struggling with bad breath? Our guide to bad breath causes can help.
Don’t wait for pain. Most gum disease is silent until it is advanced, which is why regular checks matter so much. Our hygiene team sees patients from Richmond Hill, Oak Ridges, Thornhill, Markham and Aurora.
Children benefit from gentle first cleanings that build trust and protect new teeth with fluoride and sealants. Teens with braces need extra help cleaning around brackets. Adults often need support with stain, sensitivity and early gum changes, while seniors may have dry mouth from medications, older fillings or dentures that need regular checks. Pregnancy can also make gums more prone to bleeding, so a cleaning during the second trimester is often recommended.
Whatever your stage, your hygienist will adjust the visit to suit you and explain what they see in plain language.
Most adults do well with a professional cleaning every six months. People with gum disease, diabetes, braces, implants or heavy tartar build-up may need cleanings every three to four months. Your hygienist will recommend a schedule based on your gum health.
Your hygienist reviews your health history, checks your gums and pocket depths, removes plaque and tartar by hand and with an ultrasonic scaler, polishes your teeth, flosses, and may apply fluoride. The dentist then completes a checkup and reviews any X-rays.
Routine cleanings are usually comfortable. If your gums are inflamed or your teeth are sensitive, you may feel some tenderness. We can use desensitizing gel or local freezing for deeper cleaning so you stay comfortable.
Bleeding is most often a sign of gingivitis, which is inflammation caused by plaque along the gumline. With regular cleanings and daily flossing, bleeding usually reduces within a couple of weeks.
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar above and just below the gumline. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, cleans deeper pockets on the root surfaces to treat gum disease and is often done in sections with freezing.
Modern digital X-rays use a very low dose of radiation. We only take X-rays when they are needed to find problems that cannot be seen during the exam, such as decay between teeth or bone loss.
Most dental plans cover regular cleanings and checkups, often twice a year. Many patients also qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. We bill most insurers directly.
Book your hygiene visit at Richmond Hill Smile Centre, 10157 Yonge St Unit 101. New patients are always welcome.
Reviewed by the clinical team at Richmond Hill Smile Centre. General information only, not a substitute for an exam by an RCDSO-registered dentist or a registered dental hygienist. Last updated October 2026.
