Dental Cleanings and Exams in Johns Creek

A cleaning every six months keeps tartar off your teeth and gum disease away, and the exam that comes with it catches small problems while they are still small. It is the simplest, least expensive dentistry there is, and it prevents most of the rest.

Book a consultationCall 770-814-7600
for a cleaning and checkup
About 1 hr
between visits for most patients
6 months
scaling and polishing, with comfort the first priority
Gentle
A close-up of a green interdental brush cleaning between a patient's lower teeth

Due for a
cleaning?

Book a consultation

What happens at a
cleaning and exam?

The hygienist starts by asking about your health history and anything that has changed since your last visit, even if that was years ago. If checkup x-rays are due, they are taken now, so Dr. Bhoompalli can see between the teeth and below the gumline where a visual exam cannot reach.

Then the cleaning itself. Scaling removes plaque and hardened tartar from every tooth surface and along the gumline. Polishing lifts surface stains and leaves the enamel smooth, so plaque has a harder time sticking again. Flossing clears whatever is left between the teeth.

Dr. Bhoompalli finishes with the exam: each tooth, your gums, your bite, and the soft tissue of your mouth, with a screening for oral cancer. If anything has changed since last time, you hear about it now, while it is still a small fix.

Every cleaning here ends with a real conversation about what was found, what it means, and what, if anything, to do about it, including what a cleaning costs without insurance when that applies.

How long does a cleaning take?

About an hour, including the exam. If you have not been in for a long time and there is more buildup to remove, it can run a little longer, and the hygienist will tell you if a second visit makes more sense.

Does a cleaning hurt?

It should not. You may feel some scraping and pressure, and gums that are inflamed can be tender, but the hygienist works gently and adjusts to you. Numbing gel is available for sensitive areas, and nothing here is done in pain.

How much does a cleaning cost?

Most dental plans cover two cleanings and exams a year as preventive care, often at no cost to you. Without insurance, ask about the in-house membership plan. Your fee is confirmed when you book, and you will know it before anything is done.

How do I keep my teeth clean between visits?

Brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and go easy on sugary drinks and snacking between meals. The hygienist will point out the spots you tend to miss so your home care lands where it matters.

Prevents CavitiesProtects Your GumsCatches Problems EarlyFresher BreathSurface Stains RemovedOral Cancer ScreeningFamilies WelcomeMost Insurance Accepted

Who needs regular cleanings?

Every mouth, every six months. Some need it sooner.

Twice a year is the right rhythm for most healthy adults and children. Patients with gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, braces, diabetes, or dry mouth often do better on a three or four month schedule. Dr. Bhoompalli sets the interval based on what she sees, not a calendar.

  • It has been six months or more

    Tartar has had time to build. The sooner it comes off, the less work it takes and the less it costs.

  • Gums that bleed when you brush

    The earliest sign of gum disease, and the stage where a cleaning and better home care can fully reverse it.

  • Bad breath that does not go away

    Usually bacteria in tartar and under the gums. Mouthwash masks it; a cleaning removes the source.

  • Coffee, tea, or wine stains

    Surface stains polish off. If you want teeth lighter than their natural shade, whitening works best right after.

  • A history of cavities or gum disease

    More frequent cleanings keep plaque from getting a foothold again. Many of these patients come every three or four months.

  • Children with their first teeth

    Early visits keep small teeth healthy and make the dentist a familiar, easy place rather than a scary one.

Questions about cleanings

What patients ask at the front desk and in the chair. Anything not covered here is a phone call or a text away.

Still have a question? Call 770-814-7600 or text the same number.

Page updated September 2026

Why do I need a professional cleaning if I brush and floss?

Plaque that is not removed within a day or two hardens into tartar, and no toothbrush can take tartar off. It builds up along the gumline and between teeth where brushing misses, and it is what feeds gum disease. A cleaning removes it before it does damage.

Do I need x-rays at every cleaning?

No. X-rays are taken when they are needed, not on a fixed schedule. Decay between teeth and changes in bone do not show on a visual exam, so Dr. Bhoompalli decides when a set is due based on what she sees. If you have had recent x-rays elsewhere, we can use those.

What if my gums bleed during the cleaning?

Bleeding usually means the gums are inflamed from plaque and tartar sitting against them, not that the cleaning is too rough. It typically settles within a week or two of the cleaning and better brushing at home. Persistent bleeding is a sign of gum disease, which we treat rather than ignore.

What is a deep cleaning, and how is it different?

A routine cleaning removes buildup at and above the gumline. When tartar has worked its way below the gums and the pockets around the teeth have deepened, a routine cleaning cannot reach it. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, cleans those root surfaces, usually with numbing, and is done in sections over more than one visit.

Can my kids be seen at the same appointment?

Yes. Families are the heart of this practice, and back-to-back appointments for parents and children are easy to arrange. Tell us how many people are coming when you book and we will do our best to schedule you together.

Does a cleaning whiten my teeth?

It brightens them. Polishing removes surface stains from coffee, tea, and wine, so teeth look noticeably cleaner afterward. It does not change the underlying shade of the enamel. If you want teeth lighter than their natural color, that is what whitening is for, and it works best right after a cleaning.

What if I have not been to the dentist in years?

You are welcome, and nobody here will lecture you. The first visit may take a little longer because there is more buildup to remove, and if your gums need a deep cleaning we will explain why before we start. Most people are surprised how quickly they are back on a routine schedule.

Where to next?

Six Months Goes By
Faster Than You Think

Book a Cleaning

Prefer to talk? Call 770-814-7600 during office hours.