Teeth Cleaning

Refresh Your Smile
Regular professional dental cleanings are a cornerstone of excellent oral health. Even with diligent at-home brushing and flossing, plaque can build up in hard-to-reach areas and harden into tartar (calculus), which cannot be removed by brushing alone. At Ethos Dental Studio in Langley, British Columbia, our skilled dental hygienists provide thorough and gentle cleanings to remove these deposits, prevent gum disease, and keep your smile looking and feeling its best.
How Cleanings Work
A professional dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, is a meticulous procedure designed to remove plaque and tartar and polish your teeth. The process typically involves:
- Initial Assessment: Your dental hygienist will begin by examining your mouth to check for any signs of gum inflammation, cavities, or other concerns.
- Plaque and Tartar Removal (Scaling): Using specialized dental instruments, your hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar deposits from both above and below your gum line. This process is known as scaling. We use both traditional hand instruments and ultrasonic devices, which use vibrations to gently dislodge deposits.
- Polishing: After scaling, your teeth will be polished using a high-speed rotating brush and a gritty toothpaste. This removes any remaining surface stains and smooths the tooth surface, making it more difficult for plaque to adhere.
- Flossing: A thorough flossing is performed to remove any lingering plaque or polishing paste from between your teeth.
- Rinsing: You'll rinse your mouth to wash away any debris.
- Fluoride Treatment (Optional): Depending on your individual needs, a fluoride treatment may be applied to help strengthen tooth enamel and protect against cavities.
Our team ensures your comfort throughout the entire cleaning process, providing a refreshing and revitalizing experience for your mouth.
✦ Benefits
- Prevents Cavities: Removing plaque and tartar significantly reduces your risk of developing tooth decay and cavities.
- Combats Gum Disease: Professional cleanings eliminate bacteria and tartar that cause gingivitis (early gum disease) and help prevent its progression to more severe forms like periodontitis.
- Freshens Breath: Eliminating bacterial buildup is key to combating halitosis (bad breath), leaving your mouth feeling truly fresh.
- Brightens Your Smile: Polishing removes extrinsic surface stains from coffee, tea, and other foods, revealing a brighter, more radiant smile.
- Early Detection of Issues: Regular cleanings allow your dental team to spot potential problems like cavities, gum disease, or other oral health concerns early, enabling prompt and less invasive treatment.
- Saves Money Long-Term: Preventing dental issues through consistent cleanings can help you avoid more extensive and costly restorative treatments in the future.
Understanding Dental Cleaning Costs
At Ethos Dental Studio, we are committed to transparent and affordable dental care. The cost of a professional dental cleaning can vary slightly depending on individual needs and the extent of plaque and tartar buildup.
For a standard adult dental cleaning (often referred to as a "recall" or "prophylaxis" cleaning), the general fee typically ranges from $150 to $250. This usually includes the scaling, polishing, and a brief oral examination.
Factors that can influence the cost include:
- Severity of Buildup: If there is a significant amount of plaque and tartar, requiring more time and effort for removal, the cost might be at the higher end of the range.
- Additional Treatments: If you require specialized treatments like deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for advanced gum disease, or if fluoride application is added, the cost will be higher.
Many dental insurance plans cover a significant portion, if not all, of the cost of routine dental cleanings. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to understand your specific benefits. Our administrative team is also happy to assist you with insurance claims.
We recommend regular dental cleanings every six months for most patients to maintain optimal oral health. During your initial consultation, we can provide a personalized estimate based on your oral health needs.

Choose Ethos for
Dental Cleaning
FAQs
You have questions. We have answers. Don't see what you need here? Contact us anytime to get your specific questions answered.
How often should I get my teeth professionally cleaned?
Most dentists recommend professional cleanings every six months. However, based on your individual oral health needs and risk for gum disease, more frequent cleanings may be suggested.
Is dental cleaning painful?
For most people, a routine dental cleaning is not painful. You might experience some pressure or mild discomfort, especially if you have sensitive gums or significant tartar buildup, but our hygienists are trained to provide a gentle experience.
What's the difference between a cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) focuses on removing plaque and tartar from above and slightly below the gum line. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is a more extensive procedure for gum disease, targeting tartar buildup deeper below the gum line and smoothing tooth roots.
Can regular brushing replace professional cleanings?
No, even with excellent home oral hygiene, professional cleanings are essential. Your toothbrush and floss cannot remove hardened tartar, and a professional cleaning allows your hygienist to reach areas you might miss and identify potential issues early.