Dental Exams & Cleanings

mother daughter brushing teeth

Think of getting your teeth professionally cleaned at the dentist like cleaning your room as a kid. You may think, “I made my bed today, so at least my room looks clean.” Maybe you wonder why you should have to clean your room at all if it’s just going to get dirty again. We get it. We’ve all been there. Well, brushing your teeth is like making your bed: it’s a great start, and it’s an easy habit to get into to keep everything looking and feeling good. However, that’s not always enough to get the job done. Sometimes, you need a little extra help to get that deep clean and make sure everything’s in tip-top shape.

Types of Dental Cleanings


A professional teeth cleaning helps get rid of plaque and other debris that you just can’t do at home. Regular brushing and flossing are great ways to keep germs and decay at bay, and the experts at Circle Drive Dental take that extra step to get you the best results. We clean those hard-to-reach spots that a toothbrush and floss can’t reach, helping to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup under the gums. We also use this time to evaluate your teeth and gums for signs of decay, disease, infection, or other damage. Then, we can determine what course of action to take to treat your symptoms and get your perfect smile.

A deeper cleaning might be necessary if you haven’t been to the dentist in more than a year or if you’re at a higher risk for gum disease. In this case, it’s still similar to a regular teeth cleaning, but we use different, specialized tools to help us get the job done. The biggest difference between a standard dental cleaning and a deep cleaning is that a regular cleaning focuses mostly on the tops of your teeth, the parts you can see above the gums, whereas a deeper cleaning focuses more on the areas below the gumline. That way, we can clean up any plaque or bacteria that brushing alone can’t remove. A deep dental cleaning takes care of any hidden nasties that you can’t see and clears up the area to promote healthy gums, teeth, and bones.

Oral Cancer Screening


While it’s not something most people want to think about, oral cancer can occur at any point in life, especially if you have increased risk factors. Thankfully, your Rochester dentists at Circle Drive Dental are prepared to help you prevent and identify signs of oral cancer before they can become a more serious issue.

When it comes to your oral health, our first steps are a visual exam, where we can take a thorough look at the health and condition of your teeth, gums, tongue, and other tissue. Here, we’re just looking for anything out of the ordinary: swelling, bumps, asymmetries, or other abnormalities. Then, our dental professionals proceed to a physical exam to feel for any of these signs in other locations, like the jaw, cheeks, chin, throat, and nose. We may also use special tools to help us investigate, but there’s usually nothing to worry about. Most oral cancer screenings are just a precaution to make sure everything’s in good shape. If you’re concerned about any symptoms, contact Circle Drive Dental's office today and we’ll gladly help you address those concerns.
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