The visit that quietly saves you money for thirty years.

A typical adult cleaning takes about forty-five minutes to an hour. Our hygienist reviews your medical history and any changes since the last visit, takes blood pressure when relevant, and checks your gum health by measuring the small spaces between your gum and each tooth. Healthy spaces are one to three millimeters; deeper readings are an early sign of gum disease.

Then comes the cleaning itself: ultrasonic and hand instruments to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, polishing to remove surface stain, and flossing. Dr. Burquez does an exam, reviews any X-rays we have taken, and sits with you to talk through findings. If treatment is needed, you leave with a written plan and an estimate.

Six months is the default for most healthy adults, and it is the default because it works. Plaque mineralizes into tartar within days, and tartar can only be removed in the office. Six months is short enough to keep tartar from accumulating into something that damages the gums, and long enough that most patients can fit it into their year.

Some patients need to come more often. Anyone with active gum disease, heavy tartar buildup, a history of frequent cavities, certain medical conditions (diabetes, heart conditions on certain medications), or pregnancy may benefit from a three- or four-month schedule. We will tell you which group you are in. We will not arbitrarily move a healthy patient onto a more frequent schedule to bill more visits.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults — more than cavities, more than trauma. It progresses quietly. Early gum disease (gingivitis) shows up as red, puffy, or bleeding gums and is fully reversible with a good cleaning and consistent home care. Moderate gum disease (early periodontitis) involves bone loss around the teeth and is treatable but not fully reversible. Advanced periodontitis loosens and eventually loses teeth.

We screen for gum disease at every visit. If we find early or moderate disease, we treat it in the office with deep cleanings (scaling and root planing), more frequent maintenance visits, and clear coaching on what to change at home. For advanced cases we coordinate with a periodontist. The earlier we catch it, the simpler the treatment.

Two minutes of brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Cleaning between your teeth once a day — floss, picks, a water flosser, whatever you will actually use consistently. That is the foundation. Mouthwash is optional and not a substitute for either of the first two.

Electric brushes (oscillating or sonic) clean better than manual brushes for most people, mostly because they make the two minutes feel shorter and they enforce a steady technique. If a manual brush is what you will use, use it well. The best brush is the one that actually gets used.

Diet matters less in quantity than in frequency. Sipping a sugary drink over an hour bathes your teeth in sugar for an hour; drinking it in five minutes and then rinsing with water is much less damaging. Acidic drinks (soda, sports drinks, sparkling water with citrus) soften enamel temporarily — wait thirty minutes before brushing after you drink them.

Polishing at the end of a cleaning removes surface stains from coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco. It does not change the actual color of your teeth — that is what whitening does. If you want a brighter shade, ask us about whitening at your hygiene visit; we offer in-office and take-home options. If your stain is mostly surface stain, polishing alone will do more than you might expect.

Pregnancy affects the gums — hormonal changes make many women bleed more easily and develop temporary gum inflammation called pregnancy gingivitis. Cleanings during pregnancy are safe and recommended; the second trimester is usually the most comfortable time for non-emergency dental work. We coordinate with your obstetrician when needed.

Children's hygiene visits are shorter and gentler. We focus on technique, sealants where appropriate, and making the chair feel like a friendly place. The goal at every age is the same: leave with cleaner teeth and a clear sense of what to do until the next visit.

We will not sell you a basket of products at the front desk. We will not scare you into a deep cleaning you do not need. We will not put you on a four-month recall schedule unless your mouth actually needs it. The hygiene visit should leave you informed, not pressured.