Professional cleanings performed by a dentist or dental hygienist form the foundation for preventing gum disease and tooth decay.  In a professional cleaning your dentist or hygienist will:

Remove plaque from the teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that forms in the mouth from food, saliva and bacteria.  Plaque sticks to teeth and causes tooth decay and gum disease.

Remove calculus above the gum line.  Calculus is plaque which has hardened on the tooth surface

Polish and remove stain

Dental examinations help to diagnose disease before it becomes hazardous to your health. Dental exams can save you money by alleviating problems while they are small and before they become expensive to repair, or, in some cases, impossible to repair.   Your dental exam generally includes the following:

Oral cancer screening

Gum disease evaluation

Visual examination for tooth decay

Review of X-rays to see cysts, tumors and/or invisible decay that cannot been seen with  the naked eye

Evaluation of current restorations