A professional teeth cleaning in Montréal is the single most effective thing you can do to protect your oral health between home brushing and flossing. No matter how diligent you are at home, there are areas your toothbrush simply cannot reach — and over time, tartar accumulates in those spots, leading to gum disease, bone loss, cavities, and eventually tooth loss. At Dr Lachance Dental Clinic, located at Complexe Desjardins in downtown Montréal, our dental hygienists perform thorough professional cleanings for patients of all ages, combined with a comprehensive exam so your dentist can catch any developing issues early.
What happens during a professional teeth cleaning?
A standard professional dental cleaning at our Montréal clinic typically takes 45–75 minutes and includes the following steps:
1. Initial oral health assessment
Your hygienist begins by visually examining your teeth and gums, noting any areas of redness, swelling, recession, or unusual pockets. This helps identify where to focus extra attention during the cleaning.
2. Scaling (tartar and plaque removal)
Scaling is the core of the professional cleaning. Using a combination of ultrasonic instruments (which vibrate at high frequency to break up hardened deposits) and hand scalers, your hygienist removes:
- Plaque — the soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth daily
- Tartar (calculus) — hardened plaque that has mineralized and cannot be removed by brushing alone
- Deposits above and below the gumline where gum disease begins
Tartar cannot be removed at home. Once it forms, only a dental professional with the right instruments can safely remove it.
3. Polishing
After scaling, a rotating rubber cup and gritty paste are used to polish the tooth surfaces, removing minor stains and surface discolouration from coffee, tea, and food. This also creates a slightly smoother surface that is harder for new plaque to cling to.
4. Flossing and irrigation
Your hygienist flosses between all teeth to remove any remaining debris and checks the health of your gum margins. Some patients benefit from antibacterial irrigation (flushing with a medicated rinse) in areas with deeper gum pockets.
5. Fluoride treatment (if indicated)
A fluoride varnish or gel may be applied to strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity, particularly helpful for patients at higher risk of cavities or those with exposed root surfaces.
6. Dental exam
After the cleaning, your dentist performs a comprehensive exam including:
- Cavity detection with a probe and digital X-rays
- Evaluation of existing restorations (fillings, crowns, bridges)
- Gum and bone health assessment
- Oral cancer screening — checking the tongue, cheeks, palate, and lymph nodes
- Bite and jaw joint evaluation
How often should you get a dental cleaning in Montréal?
The standard recommendation is every 6 months. However, some patients benefit from more frequent cleanings — typically every 3–4 months — due to:
- Active gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis)
- Higher risk of cavities due to diet, dry mouth, or medical conditions
- History of heavy tartar buildup
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Diabetes or other systemic conditions that affect oral health
- Orthodontic treatment (braces or aligners trap more plaque)
Your hygienist and dentist will recommend the interval that is right for your specific oral health profile.
Why is professional teeth cleaning so important?
Many people underestimate how much a twice-yearly cleaning does for their overall health. Here is what the research consistently shows:
- Prevents gum disease — the leading cause of tooth loss in adults; gum disease starts as gingivitis (reversible) and progresses to periodontitis (irreversible bone loss) without professional intervention
- Reduces cavities — removing plaque from hard-to-reach areas prevents the acid erosion that causes decay
- Catches problems early — a small cavity treated at a cleaning appointment costs a fraction of a root canal or crown; early detection saves money and discomfort
- Freshens breath — most chronic bad breath (halitosis) originates from bacteria under the gumline and between teeth — precisely where professional cleaning focuses
- Protects your overall health — research links gum disease to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes complications, stroke, and premature birth
- Brightens your smile — polishing removes surface stains, leaving teeth noticeably cleaner and slightly brighter
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for gum disease
If gum disease has already progressed beyond gingivitis, a deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing may be recommended. This procedure reaches below the gumline into the periodontal pockets — the spaces between the tooth root and the gum — to remove bacteria, tartar, and diseased tissue that standard cleaning cannot access.
Scaling and root planing is typically done in sections (one or two quadrants per visit) under local anaesthetic. Most patients experience significant improvement in gum health within 4–6 weeks, measured at a follow-up appointment. In many cases, this non-surgical deep clean is sufficient to bring gum disease under control without surgery.
What to expect after your teeth cleaning
- Sensitivity — normal for 24–48 hours after cleaning, especially if tartar was heavy or gums were inflamed. Use a sensitivity toothpaste and avoid very hot or cold foods temporarily.
- Slight gum tenderness or bleeding — if gums were inflamed, some tenderness is normal and improves quickly with consistent brushing and flossing
- Cleaner feel — most patients notice how much cleaner and smoother their teeth feel immediately after the cleaning
Accepting new patients for teeth cleaning in Montréal
We welcome new patients at all stages of oral health — whether you had a cleaning last year or have not seen a dentist in over a decade. There is no judgment. Our team will assess where you are today, remove what has accumulated, and put together a plan to keep you on track going forward.
Our downtown Montréal location at Complexe Desjardins makes it easy to schedule a cleaning during your lunch break, before work, or on a weekday evening. We are directly connected to Place-des-Arts metro station (Orange Line).
Frequently asked questions — teeth cleaning Montréal
Does teeth cleaning hurt?
For patients with healthy gums and minimal tartar, cleaning is comfortable with no anaesthetic needed. Patients with inflamed gums or heavy deposits may experience some sensitivity. We can apply a numbing gel to gum tissue for added comfort, and for very sensitive patients, local anaesthetic is available.
How long does a dental cleaning take?
A standard cleaning with exam typically takes 60–75 minutes. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) per quadrant takes about 45–60 minutes per session.
Is teeth cleaning covered by insurance?
Yes — dental cleanings are one of the most commonly covered preventive services. Most Canadian private dental plans cover two cleanings per year at 80–100%. We verify your coverage before your appointment and process your claim directly.
I haven't been to the dentist in years. Will you judge me?
Absolutely not. We see patients who haven't had a cleaning in 5, 10, or even 20 years regularly. Our only goal is to help you get back on track. The first appointment will be a thorough assessment and cleaning — no lectures, no shame, just care.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar above and slightly below the gumline for patients with generally healthy gums. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes further below the gumline into periodontal pockets to treat active gum disease — it is a therapeutic procedure, not just preventive maintenance.
Ready to book your cleaning? Contact us online or call (514) 845-7121 — new patients always welcome.