Call (801) 968-9003 or request an appointment. A first visit includes a full exam, X-rays and usually a cleaning, and we check your insurance before you arrive.
Mon to Fri from 8 AM · 5255 S 4015 W, Suite 180, Taylorsville
Southwest Dental · TaylorsvilleReady when you are.Call the office or send a request and we will find you a time. Same-day visits are held for emergencies. We speak English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
The hygienist removes plaque and hardened tartar from every surface, including just under the gum line where brushing cannot reach.Then the teeth are polished, flossed, and checked for sensitivity or bleeding that points to early gum disease. We measure gum pockets once a year, review how your home brushing is going, and offer fluoride if you are prone to cavities. The dentist does the exam in the same visit.A routine cleaning takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Why it matters
Why tartar matters.
Plaque that stays on the teeth for a day or two hardens into tartar, which no toothbrush removes.Tartar shelters bacteria against the gum, and the gum responds by swelling, bleeding and slowly pulling away from the tooth. That is gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Removing tartar every six months keeps the gums tight and the bone that holds your teeth intact.
Gum disease
Deep cleanings for gum disease.
When pockets have formed under the gum, a routine cleaning is not enough. Scaling and root planing cleans the roots below the gum line.The area is numbed, tartar is removed from the root surfaces, and rough spots are smoothed so the gum can reattach. It is usually done one half of the mouth at a time over two visits, followed by maintenance cleanings every three to four months. Caught early, gum disease is stopped in its tracks.Signs to watch for: bleeding when you brush, bad breath that does not clear, receding gums, and teeth that feel loose.
Kids and sensitive patients
Gentle cleanings for every age.
Children get cleanings as soon as they have teeth to clean, with fluoride and sealants when they help.For adults with sensitive teeth or anxiety, we go slowly, use numbing gel where needed, and explain each step. Tell the hygienist what bothers you; there is usually an easy fix.
Where to nextRelated careCleanings pair with these visits.
Call (801) 968-9003 or request an appointment. Most insurance covers two cleanings a year in full, and we can usually pair the cleaning with your exam.
Mon to Fri from 8 AM · 5255 S 4015 W, Suite 180, Taylorsville
Questions patients ask
Cleaning questions
Do cleanings hurt?A routine cleaning should not hurt. Inflamed gums can be tender, and that tenderness fades as the gums heal with regular care. Numbing gel is available for sensitive spots.How often do I need a cleaning?Every six months for most people. If you have had gum disease, every three or four months keeps it from coming back.Can a cleaning whiten my teeth?Polishing removes surface stain from coffee, tea and tobacco, so teeth often look brighter afterward. For a real shade change, see our whitening page.
Southwest Dental · TaylorsvilleReady when you are.Call the office or send a request and we will find you a time. Same-day visits are held for emergencies. We speak English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.
