Dental Cleanings & Exams in Holladay, UT

A routine cleaning and exam every six months, done gently and without a lecture, even if it has been a very long time since your last visit.

Services→General & Family Dentistry→Dental Cleanings & Exams in Holladay, UT

A cleaning is the simplest appointment we do, and for a lot of people it is still the hardest one to book. If it has been two years, or ten, we are not going to make a thing of it. We will get your teeth clean, tell you honestly what we see, and go from there.

Dental Cleanings & Exams at Pinnacle Dental in Holladay, Utah

Dr. David S. Cannon offers regular dental exams at Pinnacle Dental to make sure your teeth are healthy. You will also receive a dental cleaning from our team before you see our dentist. If there are any issues detected, Dr. David S. Cannon can suggest further treatment to get your oral health back on track. Call us at 801-274-3889 to schedule your regular cleaning and dental exam in Holladay and Millcreek, Utah!

Dental cleanings and exams are two of the most basic yet important preventive treatments we provide at our office. Each time you visit our dental practice for a checkup, we will provide a professional teeth cleaning and dental exam to help your smile stay healthy. During your cleaning and exam, our dental team will:

  • Clean your teeth by removing any plaque or tartar (also called dental calculus), which can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease
  • Floss and polish your teeth for a healthy, bright smile
  • Examine your smile for signs of any damaging dental conditions or diseases

We may utilize dental X-rays to further evaluate your smile and make certain that you receive the dental care you need. Regular dental cleanings and exams are essential in maintaining good oral health, preventing cavities and gum disease, and making sure that any damaging conditions are treated as early as possible.

We recommend that you visit us every six months for a routine dental cleaning and exam. We may suggest more frequent visits if needed, and we also encourage you to contact us if you suffer from a dental emergency, pain or injury. To schedule your next appointment, we invite you to contact us today. We look forward to caring for your smile!

Reasons people come in for this

  • It has been years since your last visit and you are not sure where to start
  • Your gums bleed a little when you brush or floss
  • You are due for your six-month checkup and want it off your list
  • You changed insurance and need a dentist who takes it
  • Your kids need their teeth checked and you would rather everyone go to one office
  • You keep noticing rough spots or staining that brushing does not touch

What it does for you

  • Plaque and hardened tartar come off, including the spots a brush cannot reach
  • Cavities get found while they are still small and simple to fix
  • Early gum trouble can often be turned around
  • Your teeth feel smooth and your breath is fresher
  • You leave knowing what needs attention and what can wait
  • You build a record, so changes in your mouth are easy to spot next time

About Dental Cleanings & Exams

Our team cleans your teeth first, lifting off the plaque and hardened tartar that brushing and flossing leave behind, then flosses and polishes. Dr. Cannon then looks over your teeth and gums and checks for anything that has changed since last time. X-rays are taken when there is a reason to look between or under a tooth. For most people this is a twice-a-year visit, more often if your gums need the extra attention.

  • Gentle cleanings, no lectures
  • Six-month checkups for every age
  • Small problems caught early
  • Bilingual team, English and Spanish

Benefits of Dental Cleanings & Exams

Tartar is hard. Once it forms along the gumline, no amount of brushing will shift it, and leaving it there is how gum disease gets started. Gum disease is the most common reason adults lose teeth, and it is quiet in the early stages. The exam matters just as much: a cavity found at a checkup is usually a filling, while the same cavity a year later can become a crown or a root canal.

What to Expect

Plan on about an hour. You will be told what is happening before it happens, and if you need a break, raising a hand is enough. Dr. Cannon will show you what he is looking at and lay out the options in plain words, including the option to wait. Nervous patients are normal here, and so are patients who have stayed away for a long stretch. Nobody on this team will make you feel judged for it.

Common Questions

Will the cleaning hurt?
For most people it is pressure, cold water and scraping sounds more than pain. If your gums are inflamed or it has been a long time, they can be tender. Tell us at the start and we will slow down and work more gently, and you can stop us at any point.
It has been years since I saw a dentist. Is that a problem?
No, and it is far more common than you would guess. We will clean what we can, tell you what we find, and put together a plan you can work through at whatever pace and order makes sense for you. There is no lecture attached.
What does a cleaning and exam cost?
It depends on your plan and on how much cleaning your teeth actually need. We accept Cigna, MetLife, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Dental Select, Delta Dental and Deseret Mutual. If you do not have insurance, ask about our in-office membership plan, which is $150 to join and covers your exams and X-rays for a year plus your first cleaning, or about CareCredit.
How often do I really need to come in?
Every six months suits most people. If you have had gum trouble, you smoke, or your teeth build tartar quickly, Dr. Cannon may suggest coming in more often for a while. He will tell you why rather than simply booking it.
Do I need X-rays every visit?
No. X-rays are taken when there is a reason for them, such as checking between teeth, looking under an old filling, or when enough time has passed that things may have changed. If you would rather understand the reason first, ask, and we will explain what we are looking for.

Terms You May Hear

Plaque
The soft, sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth through the day. Brushing and flossing take it off; left alone, it hardens.
Tartar (dental calculus)
Plaque that has hardened onto the tooth. It cannot be brushed away, which is why it has to be removed with instruments at a cleaning.
Preventive care
The routine side of dentistry: cleanings, exams and X-rays meant to catch problems early, while they are still small.

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

Call 801-274-3889 or book online to get your cleaning on the calendar.