Remove Plaque And Tartar
Professional instruments remove soft bacterial plaque and hardened tartar from areas that are difficult to clean at home.

Port Dover Family Dentistry
Regular teeth cleanings in Port Dover help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, dental pain and unexpected treatment costs while keeping your smile healthy.
Let’s get you smiling
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Teeth cleanings in Port Dover
Daily brushing and interdental cleaning remove plaque, but some areas remain difficult to reach and soft plaque can harden into tartar. A professional cleaning removes these deposits from around the teeth and gumline while giving your dental hygienist an opportunity to monitor changes in your oral health.
Cleaning intervals are personalized. Many patients attend about every six months, while active gum disease, heavy buildup, dry mouth, orthodontic appliances or other risk factors may call for more frequent care. Your schedule should reflect your needs rather than a single timetable for everyone.

Prevention built around you
Routine hygiene care removes what home brushing cannot, helps identify changes early and gives you practical guidance for the areas that need the most attention.
A cleaner, healthier smile
Professional instruments remove soft bacterial plaque and hardened tartar from areas that are difficult to clean at home.
Cleaning along and, when needed, below the gumline helps control the buildup associated with gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Polishing can remove some external staining from coffee, tea, tobacco and food without changing the natural colour of the enamel.
Your hygienist notes bleeding, recession, sensitivity, wear, chipped teeth and other findings that may need a dentist’s attention.
A professional cleaning is preventive care, not cosmetic whitening. It can reveal your natural tooth colour by removing surface deposits, while whitening treatment changes the shade of the teeth.
What to expect
Your visit is adjusted to the amount of buildup, gum health, sensitivity and whether an examination or X-rays are due.
We review health changes and examine the gums, teeth, tongue and other tissues. Gum measurements or a dentist exam may be completed according to your care plan.
Hand instruments and/or an ultrasonic scaler gently remove deposits from tooth surfaces and along the gumline. More involved periodontal care is planned when buildup extends into deeper pockets.
The teeth may be polished and flossed, and fluoride may be recommended based on cavity risk. We finish with practical home-care advice for the areas that need attention.
Comfortable preventive care
Tell your hygienist about sensitive teeth, a strong gag reflex, jaw discomfort or dental anxiety. Instrument choice, water temperature, positioning, breaks and local anesthetic for deeper care can all be considered.
As deposits are removed, we explain what we see and help you choose realistic tools for cleaning between teeth and along the gumline at home.

Comfort checks and short breaks can make the visit more manageable when teeth or gums are sensitive.
Advice is tailored to crowding, bridges, implants, braces, dry mouth, dexterity and gum-pocket depth.
You leave knowing when to return and whether an exam, X-ray or additional gum treatment is recommended.
Your schedule is individual
The interval is based on how quickly deposits return, the health of your gums and teeth, and the conditions that affect your ability to keep the mouth clean.
Previous or active periodontal disease often requires a tailored maintenance interval and ongoing gum measurements.
Reduced saliva and a history of new decay can increase risk and create a need for closer preventive support.
Dental work and orthodontic appliances create additional surfaces that benefit from specialized cleaning tools and monitoring.
Some people naturally develop tartar or stain faster and feel more comfortable with shorter intervals.
Do not wait for a routine cleaning if you develop tooth pain, swelling, a broken tooth or another new concern. Contact the office for a focused assessment.
Between professional cleanings
The best routine is one you can perform consistently and comfortably. We can adapt techniques around your dexterity and dental work.
Use fluoride toothpaste and gentle pressure for two minutes, guiding the bristles where the teeth and gums meet. Replace a worn brush head regularly.
Use floss, interdental brushes, a water flosser or another method suited to your spaces and dental work. Toothbrushing alone does not clean these contact areas.
If fluoride varnish or another in-office product is applied, follow the eating, drinking and brushing directions provided for that specific product.
Tell us about bleeding, sensitivity, bad breath, dry mouth, medication changes or difficulty keeping an area clean so recommendations can be adjusted.
Preventive care that fits your needs
Book a professional cleaning and receive a personalized schedule based on your teeth, gums and oral-health risks.
Helpful information
Many patients attend about every six months, but there is no single interval for everyone. Gum disease, buildup, cavity risk, dry mouth, dental appliances and home-care effectiveness may lead your dental team to recommend shorter or longer intervals.
Call the office rather than waiting. A cleaning is preventive care and is not a substitute for diagnosing new pain, swelling, trauma or a broken tooth. A focused dental assessment may be needed.
Yes. Dentures require professional assessment for fit, wear and cleanliness, and the gums, tongue, jaw and other oral tissues still need examination. Any remaining natural teeth also continue to need preventive care.
A routine visit commonly takes about 30 to 60 minutes, but timing depends on the amount of buildup, gum health, sensitivity and which additional assessments are due.
Thorough daily plaque removal can reduce how much tartar forms, but once plaque hardens it cannot be brushed away. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth using a method recommended for your mouth.
You can usually eat after a routine cleaning, although tender gums or sensitivity may make softer foods more comfortable. If fluoride or another product was applied, follow the specific waiting instructions your hygienist provides.
Yes after a routine cleaning. If you received fluoride varnish or another treatment, follow the product-specific instructions provided at your visit because the recommended timing can differ.
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Proudly recognized among Norfolk’s top-rated dental practices for six consecutive years.

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New patients and CDCP patients are welcome. Tell us how we can help and our Port Dover dental team will follow up with you.
Evening appointments Monday and Tuesday