How Much Does Teeth Cleaning Cost?

Dentists recommend routine dental cleanings every six months to help prevent gum disease and tooth decay and support oral health. When a healthy oral hygiene routine is observed, including regular checkups and cleanings combined with good home care, more costly or invasive procedures can be prevented. However, when regular hygiene or professional attention is neglected, a dental deep cleaning might be needed to restore the oral tissues to health. These different types of dental cleanings vary in cost, duration, and intensity, and each is a vital part of maintaining a lifetime of oral and dental health.

It’s important to note that teeth whitening procedures, which are strictly cosmetic, are not included under the umbrella designation of “professional teeth cleaning.” In a routine teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist removes minor stains that can’t be removed at home, scraping away plaque and calcified plaque, or tartar, from the surfaces of the teeth and at the gum line. Known as “dental prophylaxis,” this type of cleaning is preventative, designed to stop gum disease and tooth decay from ever developing in the first place. Once the surfaces of the teeth are scraped clean, especially at the gum line, the dental hygienist smooths, polishes, and flosses the teeth, leaving the oral cavity clean and free from harmful bacteria. The average cost of this type of routine teeth cleaning ranges in price from $75 to $200.

When patients have excessive tartar buildup, especially below the gum line, or when patients have existing gum disease, a deeper clean might be needed. This dental deep clean, called a scaling and root planing procedure, removes plaque and tartar both above and below the gum line and also involves smoothing the surfaces of the tooth roots to prevent bacteria from colonizing below the gums. Because this procedure is somewhat invasive, it may require multiple separate procedures, with one quadrant of the mouth cleaned in each visit. In general, a dental deep cleaning ranges in cost from around $150 to $350 per quadrant.

Scaling and root planing can help stop the progression of gum disease, though some periodontal maintenance cleanings might also be needed. This involves routine visits for periodic cleaning that’s geared toward supporting the continued health of the gums and preventing gum disease from progressing. The cost of these visits ranges depending on the severity of the condition and the frequency of periodontal maintenance appointments, with an average cost of $100 to $300 per visit.

Of course, the provided costs are merely a guideline, and specifics may range from patient to patient. Most dental insurance providers cover routine dental cleanings, and these providers may also cover a substantial portion of scaling and root planing treatments or periodontal maintenance visits. For patients who are uninsured or underinsured, most dentists’ and periodontists’ offices work with third-party financing companies to provide affordable out-of-pocket options.

While routine teeth cleanings may seem simple, they’re one of the most effective ways to prevent the complex damages of gum disease, and routine cleanings, combined with effective home hygiene, could also prevent the need for more in-depth and expensive treatments like scaling and root planing. Routine, professional teeth cleaning treatments help your smile shine while helping to prevent gum disease, cavities, and the expense of more complex treatments, so schedule yours today.

Related Article: Ask your Dentist the Right Questions