What Really Happens During a Routine Dental Check‑Up and Cleaning in Phoenix’s Biltmore Area | Smile 24 Dentistry

A typical visit combines two parts: a professional cleaning and a full dental exam. Most patients in good oral health come every six months, but some need more frequent care depending on cavities and gum health.

At Smile 24 Dentistry, your visit usually includes:

1. Medical and dental history update.

2. Periodontal and visual exam of teeth, gums, and soft tissues, visual oral cancer screening.

3. Gentle scaling to remove plaque and tartar.

4. Polishing to smooth the teeth and lift surface stains.

5. Flossing, rinsing, and (when appropriate) fluoride.

6. Dentist’s exam, treatment recommendations, and home‑care tips tailored to you.

Step 1: Examining your teeth and gums

Your visit usually starts with a quick conversation about any concerns—sensitivity, bleeding gums, changes in your bite, cosmetic goals - followed by a visual exam of your teeth and gums. The hygienist and dentist look for early cavities, worn or broken fillings, cracks, and signs of gum inflammation or recession.

If you are due for X‑rays, they may be taken to check between teeth and under existing work, where problems can hide. This is also when periodontal probing and charting are done: using a small measuring probe, we gently measure the depth of the pockets around each tooth to see how healthy or inflamed your gums are and what level of cleaning you need.

Step 2: Measuring gum health (periodontal probing)

Gum health is crucial, so we take time to measure it. A healthy pocket depth is usually in the 1–3 mm range; deeper readings can signal gingivitis or periodontal disease. We record these numbers in your chart at each visit so we can compare over time and catch changes early.

If pockets are deeper or there is bleeding, we may recommend more frequent cleanings or a deeper type of cleaning (such as scaling and root planing) instead of just a “basic” polish. This information lets us personalize your recall interval rather than giving everyone the same schedule.

Step 3: Visual oral cancer screening

As part of your routine check‑up at Smile 24 Dentistry, your dentist also performs a brief oral cancer screening. This is a visual and gentle physical exam of your lips, cheeks, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, tonsil area, as well as the sides of your neck and under your jaw, looking for any unusual spots, color changes, lumps, or sores that are not healing. The screening only takes a couple of minutes and is usually done while you are already in the chair for your exam and cleaning, but it can help detect potential problems earlier, when treatment is more successful.

Step 4: Scaling – removing plaque and tartar

Next comes scaling: using hand instruments and/or an ultrasonic scaler, we remove soft plaque and hardened tartar (calculus) from around and between your teeth and just under the gumline. Tartar is too hard to brush off at home, and if left in place it can irritate your gums and contribute to gum disease and bad breath. You may hear scraping sounds or feel gentle vibration, but you should not feel sharp pain; if you do, we stop and adjust. Regular scaling - especially every six months for most adults - helps keep calculus levels lower and supports healthier gums over time.

Step 5: Polishing and flossing

After scaling, we polish your teeth with a soft rubber cup and a special polishing paste to remove remaining stain and smooth the enamel. This is what gives you that “just‑cleaned” smooth feeling when you run your tongue over your teeth. We then floss between every tooth to catch any final debris and to check how your gums respond. If certain areas bleed more easily, we point them out and show you how to focus your home care there.​

Step 6: Fluoride and personalized recommendations

For many patients - especially those with a history of cavities, exposed root surfaces, or high sugar intake - a professional fluoride treatment is recommended at the end of the cleaning. Fluoride varnish or gel helps strengthen enamel and make it more resistant to acid attacks between visits. Your dentist or hygienist will also review habits like brushing technique, flossing, interdental brushes, mouthwash, and diet, tailoring the advice to your actual risk, not a generic script. If you are interested in cosmetic improvements like whitening or straightening, this is a good moment to discuss safe options.

How often should you come?

• Adults with generally healthy teeth and gums: usually every 6 months for a check‑up and cleaning, though some low‑risk patients may be fine on a 6–12‑month schedule.

• Adults with a history of cavities or early gum issues: often every 3–4 months to better control plaque and catch problems early.

• Patients with diagnosed gum disease (periodontitis): typically on a 3–4‑month periodontal maintenance schedule as advised by your dentist.

At Smile 24 Dentistry, we look at your exam findings, X‑rays, medical history and habits (like smoking, diabetes, or dry mouth) to set a recall interval that makes sense for you - not just a one‑size‑fits‑all number.

Schedule Your Next Dental Appointment Today!

Contact our office today at (602) 675-0896. You can also request an appointment by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form!