Professional teeth cleaning (adult) at Lambton Dental
Even careful brushing and flossing leave behind tartar that only a hygienist can remove. A professional dental cleaning in Toronto at Lambton Dental clears plaque and hardened deposits from your teeth and along the gumline, polishes away surface stain and gives you practical, personalised advice on keeping your mouth healthy between visits.
What is a professional teeth cleaning at Lambton Dental?
A professional cleaning, sometimes called a hygiene visit or prophylaxis, is performed by one of our registered dental hygienists. Its purpose is to remove plaque, the soft film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day, and tartar, which is plaque that has hardened and can no longer be brushed away. Left in place, these deposits irritate the gums and contribute to cavities, bleeding, bad breath and, over time, gum disease.
The hygienist uses hand instruments and, where appropriate, an ultrasonic scaler that vibrates deposits loose while rinsing with water. Once the teeth are clean, they are polished with a mildly abrasive paste to smooth the surfaces and lift everyday stain from coffee, tea or tobacco. The visit is typically paired with an exam by the dentist and ends with tailored guidance on brushing, flossing and any tools that would help you at home.
When a professional cleaning is the right choice
Routine cleanings suit most adults, and they may be especially helpful if you:
- Are due for your regular hygiene visit, which the dentist typically schedules every six months, or more often if your gums need closer attention.
- Notice bleeding when you brush or floss, puffy or tender gums, or a persistent bad taste or odour.
- See yellow or brown buildup along the gumline, particularly behind the lower front teeth, that does not come off with brushing.
- Are new to Lambton Dental and would like to begin with the $99 new patient cleaning, which pairs the cleaning with an exam and any necessary X-rays.
- Have braces, bridges, implants or other dental work that makes home care harder and benefits from regular professional attention.
If the hygienist finds deep pockets or tartar well below the gumline, a routine cleaning may not be enough. In that case the dentist may recommend a deep cleaning with scaling and root planing and will explain why before anything proceeds.
What to expect during your cleaning appointment
Check-in and health update
We confirm your insurance details and ask about any changes to your health or medications, since some conditions affect how we approach the cleaning.
Gum assessment
The hygienist looks at the colour and texture of your gums, measures the space between gums and teeth with a small probe and notes any bleeding, so we can track changes over time.
Scaling
Plaque and tartar are removed from above and just below the gumline using hand instruments and, where helpful, an ultrasonic scaler. Tell the hygienist if any area feels sensitive and the approach can be adjusted.
Polishing and flossing
A rotating rubber cup and polishing paste smooth the tooth surfaces and lift surface stain, and the hygienist flosses between every tooth to finish.
Home-care coaching
Based on what was found, the hygienist shows you the spots you tend to miss and suggests techniques or tools, such as interdental brushes, that fit your mouth and routine.
Dentist's exam and next visit
The dentist examines your teeth and gums, reviews the hygienist's notes and confirms when your next cleaning should be booked.
For patients who feel nervous about cleanings, nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation are available for anxious patients; the dentist reviews your health history first. See our sedation options page for more.
What happens after your cleaning
Your teeth will feel noticeably smoother straight away, and it is normal for gums to be a little tender for a day or so if there was heavier buildup or inflammation. Rinsing gently with warm salt water and keeping up with brushing and flossing usually settles this quickly. If polishing was done, waiting a short while before having coffee, tea, red wine or other strongly coloured foods helps keep the surfaces looking fresh.
The hygienist’s notes become part of your record, so at the next visit we can see whether your gums have improved and whether the home-care changes are working. Most adults return every six months, though the dentist sets the interval based on your needs. If the assessment showed early gum disease, you may be placed on a shorter maintenance schedule, and if a spot of decay was found, the dentist will discuss options such as a composite filling and provide a written plan before anything is booked.
Cost, insurance, and CDCP / IFHP coverage
The cost of a cleaning depends mainly on how much scaling is needed, which the hygienist measures in units of time, and on whether an exam or X-rays are done at the same visit. Most insurance plans set a yearly allowance for scaling units and a frequency limit for cleanings, and we check those details for you so appointments can be scheduled to line up with your plan wherever possible.
We accept all major Canadian dental insurance carriers and direct-bill wherever your plan allows, so you pay only your portion at the visit. Lambton Dental is also a provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP); coverage under these programs depends on your eligibility and the services provided, and we will confirm what applies to you before your appointment.
New adult patients can begin with the $99 new patient cleaning, which includes a cleaning, exam and any necessary X-rays on the first visit. A treatment plan and quote, if needed, are provided separately. Our payment options page explains billing for patients without insurance.
For larger treatment plans, monthly payment plans through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit — ask at your consultation or see our payment options.
Why patients choose Lambton Dental for their cleanings
- Cleanings are done by registered dental hygienists who take the time to explain what they see in your mouth.
- The pressure, pace and instruments are adjusted for sensitive teeth and gums; just tell us what you need.
- Home-care advice is specific to you, not a generic handout, and we follow up on it at your next visit.
- We direct-bill CDCP, IFHP and major insurance carriers wherever the plan allows, and we track your scaling allowance for you.
- Evening and weekend appointments make it easier to keep a regular hygiene routine.
- Our team serves patients in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
How often should adults have a professional cleaning?
Every six months is typical, but it is not a rule for everyone. Patients with healthy gums and little tartar buildup may be fine with a longer gap, while those with gum disease, dry mouth, orthodontic appliances or a history of frequent decay are often seen more regularly. The dentist recommends an interval and adjusts it as your gum health changes.
Does a cleaning hurt?
Most people find a routine cleaning comfortable, though areas with inflamed gums or heavy tartar can feel tender while they are being cleaned. Tell the hygienist if anything is uncomfortable; the pressure and technique can be adjusted, and a numbing gel may be used where needed. For anxious patients, sedation options are available after the dentist reviews your health history.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the visible tooth surfaces and just below the gumline in a mouth with generally healthy gums. A deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, treats gum disease by cleaning further down along the roots, often with local anaesthetic and over more than one visit. The dentist decides which is appropriate based on your gum measurements.
Will a cleaning whiten my teeth?
Polishing removes surface stain from things like coffee, tea and tobacco, so many people notice their teeth look brighter afterwards. It does not change the natural colour of the tooth itself. If you are interested in a whiter shade beyond what cleaning achieves, the dentist can discuss cosmetic options with you at your exam.
Why do my gums bleed during a cleaning?
Bleeding usually means the gums are inflamed from plaque and tartar sitting along the gumline, a condition called gingivitis. It is common and often reversible. Once the deposits are removed and home care improves, most people find the bleeding settles within a couple of weeks. The hygienist will note where bleeding occurs so we can check for improvement at your next visit.
What does the $99 new patient cleaning include?
For new adult patients, the $99 new patient cleaning includes a professional cleaning, an exam by the dentist and any X-rays that are clinically necessary, all on the first visit. If treatment is recommended, a plan and quote are provided separately, and you decide whether and when to proceed. There is no obligation to book further work.
Can I use CDCP or IFHP for cleanings?
Yes. Lambton Dental is a participating provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, billed through Sun Life, and the Interim Federal Health Program, billed through Medavie Blue Cross. Coverage for cleanings depends on your eligibility and the services you receive, and some services may have a co-payment. We confirm what applies before your appointment.
Book your teeth cleaning
New adult patients can start with our $99 new patient cleaning, which includes a cleaning, exam and any necessary X-rays on the first visit. A treatment plan and quote, if needed, are provided separately.
CDCP welcome
We welcome patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and can help you understand what's covered.
Learn about CDCP →IFHP welcome
We are registered to treat patients under the Interim Federal Health Program and bill Medavie Blue Cross directly.
Learn about IFHP →Direct billing
We bill all major Canadian dental insurance carriers directly, so you pay only what your plan does not cover.
How direct billing works →