What the $99 offer includes
Brushing and flossing at home do most of the work. They miss the hardened tartar that forms along the gum line and between teeth. A professional cleaning removes it before it irritates your gums.
- A 30-minute dental cleaning
- A preventive oral check-up
- X-rays and an oral examination
Outside the offer, the cost of a cleaning depends on how much scaling you need and whether X-rays are due. A deep cleaning or a long first visit after years away costs more than a routine one. Your own cost comes in a written estimate after an exam.
My City Dental offers direct insurance billing and also accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). CDCP coverage depends on the service and your eligibility, and some services need preauthorization.
Why does professional teeth cleaning matter?
Professional teeth cleaning removes the tartar your toothbrush cannot. Plaque left on your teeth hardens into tartar. Once it sets, only scaling tools take it off.
Tartar along the gum line holds bacteria that keep your gums inflamed. Puffy red gums that bleed when you brush are the first stage of gum disease. Dentists call it gingivitis. Removing the deposits gives your gums the chance to settle.
The checkup half of the visit matters just as much. An intraoral camera puts what the dentist is looking at on a screen, so you can see a cracked filling or a dark spot for yourself. The Canadian Dental Association adds that regular exams cost less than fixing the serious problems that neglect leads to.
What types of dental cleaning do we provide?
My City Dental provides three kinds of cleaning, and the dentist picks one after looking at your gums.
Routine cleaning (prophylaxis)
A routine cleaning suits healthy gums and removes plaque and tartar above the gum line before polishing the teeth smooth.
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
A deep cleaning is for gums that have pulled away from the teeth and formed pockets. It cleans below the gum line, where a routine cleaning cannot reach. Your gums can feel tender for a few days after it. As they heal, gums can shrink a little and teeth can feel sensitive for longer.
Debridement for heavy buildup
Debridement is a first-stage cleaning for a mouth with years of buildup. It clears enough tartar for the dentist to see the teeth and gums properly. After that, the dentist recommends any further cleaning or gum treatment you need.
What is included in a teeth cleaning?
A teeth cleaning at My City Dental covers four things.
- An oral exam of your teeth and gums and the soft tissues of your mouth to look for decay or infection.
- Digital X-rays when the dentist finds you need them. The dentist decides after reviewing your history, your exam and any recent X-rays, and when they are needed they are included in the $99 offer.
- Polishing and stain removal to smooth the enamel and lift surface stains.
- Scaling with ultrasonic and hand instruments to remove plaque and tartar.
An exam looks for problems but cannot promise that nothing is there, so tell the dentist about any change you have noticed.
Signs you are due for a dental cleaning
Book a cleaning if you notice any of these:
- Bad breath that keeps coming back
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Plaque or yellow tartar you can see along the gum line
- Stained or discoloured teeth
- Teeth that sting with hot or cold food
Pain that keeps you awake, a swollen face or a broken tooth is not a cleaning issue. See our emergency dentist page or call the clinic.
What happens during a dental check up in Vaughan?
A dental check up in Vaughan at My City Dental follows five steps.
- An oral hygiene assessment where we review your dental history and check your teeth, gums and soft tissues.
- Scaling with hand and ultrasonic instruments to take off plaque and tartar.
- Stain removal and polishing, which leaves the enamel smooth.
- Fluoride treatment and desensitizing to strengthen enamel and help protect against cavities. Ask the team whether a fluoride treatment suits you at this visit.
- Oral hygiene instruction, with advice on brushing, flossing and daily habits that fits your mouth.
How often should you book a dental cleaning in Vaughan?
Your dentist sets how often you need a dental cleaning, based on your oral health. The Canadian Dental Association says that for many people this means an exam every six months.
You may need to come back sooner if tartar builds up fast, you have had gum disease or you smoke. A mouth that has stayed healthy for years may need fewer visits. The CDA also advises against setting your visits by what your dental plan covers.
The 2-2-2 rule is a memory aid, not a clinical guideline: brush twice a day for two minutes and see the dentist twice a year. The CDA advises brushing twice a day for two to three minutes. For visits, follow the schedule your dentist sets.
Does a teeth cleaning hurt?
A teeth cleaning should not hurt, but you will feel pressure and scraping and hear the ultrasonic scaler. Inflamed gums feel more tender and bleed more, and that eases as they heal.
Sore gums and sensitive teeth for a few days afterwards are the main side effects. Tell the hygienist straight away if anything hurts during the cleaning. For a deep cleaning, ask the team whether freezing suits you.
Tell us about your health and any medicines before the cleaning. Some heart conditions, joint replacements and medicines such as blood thinners change how a dentist plans work on the gums.
What are the benefits of regular teeth cleaning?
Regular teeth cleaning removes plaque and tartar and lowers your risk of gum disease. Checkups also catch problems that need other treatment.
- Removing tartar lowers your risk of gum disease.
- Less plaque on your teeth means less acid attacking the enamel and fewer cavities.
- Cleaning removes the bacteria that cause bad breath.
- Polishing takes off surface stains from coffee, tea and tobacco for a brighter smile.
A cleaning has limits. It will not lighten teeth that are stained from the inside. Those stains need an assessment, and whitening helps some causes but not every type. Gum disease that has reached below the gum line needs a deep cleaning instead.
Frequently asked questions about dental cleaning
How much does a dental cleaning cost in Vaughan?
The cost of a dental cleaning in Vaughan depends on the time and care your mouth needs. Clinics across Ontario set their own fees, so the figure changes from one office to the next. Your dental plan or the CDCP may pay part of a routine cleaning, depending on your coverage. If you want a figure before you book, ask your insurer for a predetermination, which is an estimate of what the plan expects to pay.
Are dental cleanings covered in Ontario?
Dental cleanings are not covered by OHIP, which excludes dental services provided in a dentist's office. Three public programs pay for cleanings for people who qualify. The CDCP is one, and its coverage depends on the service and your eligibility.
Healthy Smiles Ontario covers children and youth 17 and under from low-income households. The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program covers low-income seniors 65 and older through public health units and partner health centres.
Is it normal for a dental cleaning to only take 15 minutes?
A 15-minute cleaning is shorter than most. Cleveland Clinic puts most cleanings at 30 to 60 minutes, and a first visit or heavy buildup takes longer. Time depends on how much tartar you have, how many teeth you have and whether your gums need extra care. If a visit felt rushed, ask whether you had scaling, polishing and a gum check.
Does a teeth cleaning remove yellow stains?
A teeth cleaning removes yellow surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco. Yellowing that comes from inside the tooth stays after a cleaning. Age, some medicines and thin enamel all cause it. Ask the dentist whether whitening suits your teeth once your gums are healthy.
Can I eat after a dental cleaning?
You can eat after a routine dental cleaning. If your teeth feel sensitive, choose food that is not very hot or very cold for a day or two. If you had a fluoride treatment, follow the wait time the team gives you before eating or drinking so the fluoride stays on your teeth.
What is the difference between a dental cleaning and a checkup?
A dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar, and a checkup looks for problems. The checkup is the exam where the dentist looks at your teeth, gums and mouth and decides whether you need X-rays. The cleaning is the scaling and polishing that follows. The five-step visit described on this page covers both.