Welcome to Maplewood Dental Associates, your trusted partner for comprehensive dental care in Maplewood, MN. Our experienced dental team specializes in professional teeth cleaning services that keep your smile healthy, bright, and beautiful for years to come.
At Maplewood Dental Associates, we pride ourselves on delivering expert dental care in a friendly and welcoming environment. Our skilled doctors and dedicated dental team focus on treating each patient individually, creating personalized treatment plans that help you achieve a beautiful, lasting smile. Prevention is the best way to maintain a healthy smile, and regular professional teeth cleanings are vital for your oral health.
Whether it’s been six months or longer since your last cleaning, we’re here to help. We can’t wait to hear from you and are excited to help you achieve a beautiful, clean, healthy smile!
You probably know that brushing and flossing are essential for good oral hygiene. However, even the best brushers and flossers need professional cleanings. Regular teeth cleanings are crucial to keeping cavities and gum disease at bay while maintaining optimal oral health.
Professional teeth cleaning offers numerous health benefits that extend beyond just a bright smile:
Bacteria naturally occurring in your mouth can harden into plaque, leading to tartar buildup. These hardened deposits sit on your teeth and cause cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. Research shows that patients who receive regular cleanings reduce their cavity risk by up to 60%.
Without proper care and cleaning, plaque and tartar can seriously harm your teeth and gums. Professional cleanings remove these harmful deposits before they cause irreversible damage, protecting you from gingivitis and periodontitis.
Preventive care is far more affordable than restorative treatments. A routine cleaning costs a fraction of what you’d pay for fillings, crowns, or gum disease treatment. Most dental insurance plans cover preventive cleanings 100% twice per year.
During your cleaning appointment, we thoroughly examine your mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental problems. Early detection means simpler, less expensive treatment.
Your oral health is connected to your overall wellbeing. Studies have linked gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and pregnancy complications. Regular cleanings help protect both your mouth and your body.
Professional cleanings remove bacteria that cause bad breath and eliminate surface stains from coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco, leaving your teeth smooth, shiny, and noticeably brighter.
Brushing can clean some tartar and plaque, but some spots are hard to reach without professional tools. Regular cleanings help your dental hygienist provide the deep cleaning your teeth need, removing plaque and tartar and giving your mouth a fresh start.
Your dental hygienist has specialized training and professional-grade equipment to clean areas that are impossible to reach at home. Even with excellent brushing and flossing habits, you can’t remove hardened tartar once it forms – only professional cleaning can eliminate these stubborn deposits.
Understanding what happens during your appointment helps you feel more comfortable and prepared. Our hygienists provide thorough, gentle cleanings that leave your teeth feeling fresh and smooth.
A dental hygienist usually cleans your teeth. Our hygienists are well-trained professionals who specialize in removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from every area of your teeth. They tailor each cleaning to match your specific oral health needs, ensuring effective buildup removal.
Your hygienist will evaluate the health of your teeth, gums, and other structures in your mouth. They’ll look for signs of cavities, gum disease, and other concerns before beginning the cleaning.
The cleaning process starts with an oral exam. Your hygienist will evaluate the health of your teeth, gums, and other structures. Then, they’ll move on to the cleaning. They often use an ultrasonic scaler, which vibrates frequently to break up plaque and tartar while protecting your teeth. This tool also uses cool water at the tip and remove debris.
Additionally, our hygienists use curettes and hand-held tools that clean effectively without vibration. The cleaning only produces moderate pressure, minimizing any discomfort.
After removing all plaque and tartar, your hygienist will professionally floss between each tooth, removing any remaining debris and ensuring your gum line is completely clean.
After the cleaning, your hygienist will polish your teeth with a low-speed rotary brush and a gritty gel similar to toothpaste. This final step leaves your teeth smooth and shiny so that you can enjoy the results immediately.
We may apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen your enamel and provide additional protection against cavities.
Your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination, checking for any issues that need attention and discussing any findings or recommendations with you.
We’ll provide customized advice for your home care routine and answer any questions you have about maintaining your oral health.
Most routine cleanings take 30 to 60 minutes. If you have significant buildup or need additional treatment, your appointment may take longer. We ensure thorough cleaning without rushing, so you get the best possible care.
Not all teeth cleanings are the same. We offer different types of cleanings based on your oral health needs and gum condition.
A routine cleaning, also called prophylaxis, is the standard cleaning for patients with good oral health. This preventive treatment removes plaque and tartar from above the gum line.
Best for: Patients with healthy gums and no signs of gum disease
Frequency: Every 6 months
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Coverage: Usually covered 100% by dental insurance twice per year
This is the most common type of cleaning and focuses on prevention rather than treatment. If you maintain good oral hygiene and have no gum issues, this is likely the cleaning you’ll receive.
Deep cleaning, medically known as scaling and root planing, is a therapeutic treatment for patients with gum disease. This procedure goes beneath the gum line to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from tooth roots.
Best for:
Patients with gingivitis or periodontitis
What it treats:
Active gum disease
Process:
Recovery:
Your gums may be sensitive for a few days after treatment. We’ll provide specific aftercare instructions.
Deep cleaning is essential for treating gum disease and preventing tooth loss. If you have bleeding gums, gum recession, or deep periodontal pockets, your dentist may recommend this treatment.
Professional teeth cleaning provides numerous advantages that you simply can’t achieve with home care alone:
Our specialized tools eliminate hardened deposits that brushing and flossing can’t remove, preventing them from damaging your teeth and gums.
By removing plaque before it causes damage, regular cleanings significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities.
Professional cleaning removes bacteria that cause gum inflammation and infection, keeping your gums healthy and strong.
We eliminate the bacteria responsible for bad breath, leaving your mouth clean and fresh.
The polishing step removes surface stains from coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco, revealing a naturally brighter smile.
Regular cleanings include thorough examinations that catch problems early when they’re easiest and least expensive to treat.
Preventive care is always more affordable than treating advanced dental problems like root canals, crowns, or tooth replacement.
By preventing gum disease, you reduce your risk of related health issues including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes complications.
The American Dental Association recommends professional teeth cleaning every six months for most people. However, your individual needs may vary based on several factors.
Most patients with good oral health should schedule cleanings twice per year. This frequency effectively prevents plaque buildup and allows regular monitoring of your oral health.
Some patients need more frequent professional cleanings. You may benefit from quarterly visits if you have:
Active gum disease or history of periodontal problems
Diabetes, which increases infection risk
Weakened immune system
Smoking or tobacco use
Tendency to develop cavities quickly
Difficulty maintaining oral hygiene due to braces, bridges, or other dental work
At Maplewood Dental Associates, we create personalized preventive care schedules based on your specific oral health status, risk factors, and treatment history. During your examination, we’ll recommend the ideal cleaning frequency for your situation.
Pay attention to these warning signs that indicate it’s time to schedule a professional cleaning:
If you notice yellow or brown deposits along your gum line or between teeth, you have tartar that needs professional removal.
Healthy gums don’t bleed. If your gums bleed when you brush, floss, or eat, you likely have inflammation that requires professional attention.
Chronic bad breath (halitosis) that doesn’t improve with brushing often indicates bacteria buildup or gum disease.
Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods can signal enamel erosion or exposed tooth roots from gum recession.
If your teeth appear longer or you can see more of the tooth root, your gums are receding – often a sign of gum disease.
Adult teeth should never feel loose. This is a serious sign of advanced gum disease requiring immediate attention.
Discomfort when eating can indicate cavities, gum disease, or other problems that need professional evaluation.
Even without symptoms, if you haven’t had a cleaning in over six months, it’s time to schedule an appointment.
Don’t wait for pain or obvious problems. Many dental issues develop silently, and regular cleanings help us catch them early.
Most patients feel little to no discomfort during dental cleanings, and many even enjoy the experience, especially after seeing how clean their newly cleaned teeth feel! If you feel discomfort, let us know so we can use a numbing gel to make you more comfortable.
If it’s been a while since your last cleaning or if your gums are irritated, you might notice some bleeding or soreness. If that happens, your hygienist will discuss ways to reduce inflammation and help restore your oral health. Regular teeth cleanings are vital for oral hygiene, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Your teeth will feel noticeably smoother and cleaner. Some patients experience mild sensitivity for a day or two, especially if significant tartar was removed. This is normal and temporary.
You can usually eat immediately after a standard cleaning. However, if you received a fluoride treatment, we recommend waiting 30 minutes before eating or drinking to allow the fluoride to fully absorb. Avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods for a few hours if your teeth feel sensitive.
We believe everyone deserves access to quality preventive dental care.
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive cleanings 100% twice per year. This means no out-of-pocket cost for you when you maintain your regular six-month schedule. Deep cleanings and periodontal maintenance are often covered as therapeutic procedures, though coverage levels vary by plan.
If you don’t have dental insurance, ask about our Dental Membership plan and payment options. We also offer flexible payment plans to make professional cleaning accessible for all our patients.
Consider professional cleaning an investment in your health. Preventive care saves you significantly in potential restorative treatments like fillings, crowns, root canals, and tooth replacement.
Contact our Maplewood office at (651) 390-9361 for specific pricing information and to verify your insurance coverage.
Our dental hygienists and doctors have years of experience providing gentle, thorough dental cleanings. We’ve served the Maplewood community as trusted dental care providers, helping thousands of patients maintain healthy, beautiful smiles.
We use modern, advanced dental equipment and techniques to make your cleaning as comfortable and effective as possible. Our ultrasonic scalers and other professional-grade tools provide superior results with minimal discomfort.
We understand that every patient is unique. We take time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and create customized care plans that address your specific oral health needs and goals.
Dentistry for the Entire Family – we welcome patients of all ages, from young children to seniors. Our friendly team makes dental visits comfortable and positive for the whole family.
Located at 1738 Cope Ave. E, Maplewood, MN 55109, we’re easily accessible for residents throughout the greater Maplewood area.
We offer convenient appointment times, including early morning and evening options. We also provide same-day appointments for urgent dental concerns.
At Maplewood Dental Associates, we pride ourselves on delivering expert dental care in a friendly and welcoming environment. Our skilled doctors and dedicated dental team focus on treating each patient individually, creating personalized treatment plans that help you achieve a beautiful, lasting smile.
Beyond teeth cleaning, we offer a full range of dental services including:
Prevention is the best way to maintain a healthy smile. Regular professional teeth cleanings are vital for your oral health and serve as your first line of defense against cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems.
If you have any questions about teeth cleaning, our office, or your oral health, we’re here to help. Call us at (651) 390-9361, reach out through our contact page, or request an appointment online at our Maplewood, MN office. We can’t wait to hear from you and are excited to help you achieve a beautiful, clean, healthy smile!
