What happens during a professional dental cleaning — step by step
⭐ Did you know? Most Montrealers wait too long between cleanings — and end up paying 3-5x more in corrective care. Here’s what you actually need to know before your next appointment.
Dental cleaning in Montreal — also called prophylaxis or scaling — is the single most important preventive treatment you can do for your oral health. Regular professional cleanings remove what brushing and flossing cannot, protecting you from cavities, gum disease, and costly dental problems down the road.
What Happens During a Professional Dental Cleaning?
A professional dental cleaning at Écodentaire involves several steps performed by a dental hygienist or dentist. The full appointment takes 45–75 minutes.
Step-by-Step: What Happens at Your Cleaning
- Oral examination: the hygienist checks for signs of cavities, gum disease, and other issues
- Scaling (tartar removal): specialized instruments remove hardened tartar (calculus) above and below the gumline — this cannot be done at home
- Polishing: a mildly abrasive paste removes surface stains and smooths tooth surfaces
- Flossing: professional flossing reaches between teeth and under the gumline
- Fluoride treatment: optional protective fluoride application, especially for cavity-prone patients
- X-rays (if scheduled): detect cavities and bone loss not visible to the naked eye
How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
Every 6 Months (Standard Recommendation)
For most healthy adults, a cleaning every 6 months is sufficient to maintain good oral health and catch problems early. This is the standard recommendation from the Canadian Dental Association.
Every 3–4 Months (Higher-Risk Patients)
More frequent cleanings are recommended if you have any of the following risk factors:
- Diagnosed gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis)
- Diabetes — significantly increases gum disease risk
- Smoker or tobacco user
- Dry mouth (xerostomia) from medication
- History of frequent cavities
- Pregnancy — hormonal changes increase inflammation
- Compromised immune system
- Orthodontic appliances (braces make cleaning harder)
How Much Does a Dental Cleaning Cost in Montreal?
| Service | Average Cost (Montreal) | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Basic cleaning (prophylaxis) | $100–$200 | 80–100% (most plans) |
| Full exam + X-rays + cleaning | $200–$400 | Exam/X-rays usually covered |
| Deep cleaning (per quadrant) | $200–$400 | 50–80% (perio treatment) |
| Child cleaning | $80–$150 | Often 100% covered |
Dental Cleaning vs Deep Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
- Regular cleaning (prophylaxis): removes plaque and tartar above and just below the gumline — for healthy gums
- Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing): goes deeper below the gumline to clean pockets of 4mm+ — required when periodontitis is diagnosed
- Deep cleaning is done under local anesthesia, costs more, and takes multiple appointments (one per quadrant)
Why Regular Cleanings Save You Money
A $150 cleaning every 6 months can prevent a $1,500 root canal, a $2,000 crown, or even tooth loss requiring a $5,000 implant. Prevention is always the most economical approach to dental care.
Book your dental cleaning in Montreal at Écodentaire — no long wait times, welcoming staff, and two convenient locations:
📍 Écodentaire Concordia Atwater: 1801 Maisonneuve Ouest, Suite 730 — (514) 933-3641
📍 Écodentaire Outremont: 6100 Avenue du Boisé — (514) 504-6060
