Deep Cleaning in Whittier, CA

A deep cleaning in Whittier, CA, at Atlantic Dental & Orthodontics clears the plaque and tartar below your gumline that a regular cleaning can’t reach, so puffy, bleeding gums can heal.

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Patient in the chair during a dental cleaning visit

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What Is a Deep Cleaning?

A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing or periodontal cleaning, removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline. It targets the pockets between your teeth and gums, where bacteria collect and your toothbrush can’t reach.

Once plaque hardens into tartar, brushing and flossing won’t remove it. Clearing it from the tooth roots lets inflamed gums settle down and fit snugly around your teeth again.

Your deep cleaning is done by our dental hygienist, and our dentists review your exam and X-rays first, so the cleaning matches what your gums actually need.

Meet the doctors behind your careTraining, experience and memberships for every dentist on our team.

Meet Our Dentists

Clean treatment room at the Whittier office

Deep Cleaning vs. Routine Cleaning

We recommend a deep cleaning based on what your exam and X-rays show, not as a default.

Routine Cleaning

A preventive visit that removes plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and just above the gumline, with scaling and polishing. It keeps healthy gums healthy.

Deep Cleaning

A treatment for gums that already show signs of disease. It goes below the gumline to clear plaque and tartar from the tooth roots and the pockets between your teeth and gums.

What Happens During a Deep Cleaning

Depending on how much of your mouth needs treatment, the cleaning may be done in more than one visit.

1
Assessment
We examine your gums, take X-rays, and measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums to see how far buildup has gone.
2
Numbing
Because a deep cleaning reaches below the gumline, local anesthesia may be used so you stay comfortable.
3
Scaling
Special instruments remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and from below the gumline.
4
Root planing
The root surfaces are smoothed to remove remaining bacteria and help your gums reattach to your teeth.

Aftercare and Keeping Your Gums Healthy

After your deep cleaning, we give you aftercare instructions, which may include a special mouthwash or antibiotics. Your gums may feel tender for a short time.

Home care is what keeps the results going: brush twice a day, floss daily, and come back for your follow-up cleanings. Patients with gum disease often need cleanings more often than every six months, typically every three to four months.

If your gums bleed when you floss, our article why do you have bleeding gums when flossing? explains common causes and what helps.

Patient talking with a member of the dental team

What Affects the Cost of a Deep Cleaning

The cost of a deep cleaning depends on how many areas of your mouth need it, how deep the pockets are, and what your dental plan covers.

Before treatment, we check your coverage and tell you upfront what your plan will pay and what your share is. Ask about a complimentary professional consultation if you’d like to know where your gums stand before deciding.

Gum and Tooth Care Near You That Goes With a Deep Cleaning

A deep cleaning rarely stands on its own. These services are the ones most closely tied to it at our office.

Gum Disease Treatment

A deep cleaning is often the first step in treating gum disease. Afterward, we check how your gums respond and talk about what else they need.

Dental Fillings

Tartar along the gumline can hide early decay. Once your teeth are clean, cavities are easier to spot. If we find one, we’ll show you and talk through a filling.

Routine Exams and Cleanings

After a deep cleaning, regular cleanings help stop tartar from building back up below your gums. If your gums are healthy, a routine cleaning is all you need.

What Patients Say About Their Cleanings

4.9★★★★★
300+ Google reviews

Had my first deep cleaning with Lurdes and was very happy she is very patient and attentive excellent experience.

Miguel Ortega · Google Review

Had a great dental appointment at Atlantic Dental in Whittier, no pain & always making you comfortable.

Lupe Trillo · Google Review

Leti was very nice and gave me very well feedback. Gave me good recommendations and was very gentle and was like a second mother to me. Would recommend and very good visits always.

Carlos D · Google Review

Your Gum Care Team

Dr. Alfred Tamir
Dental Surgeon & Implantology Specialist
Dr. Aaron Paz, DDS, FICOI
Dental Surgeon & Implantology Specialist

About Our Team

Paying for Your Deep Cleaning

Our benefits coordinator verifies your coverage before your visit and sends the claim for you after treatment.

Your PPO benefits and monthly payment options through CareCredit or Cherry can work together, so cost doesn’t have to be the reason you wait.

Curious about outcomes? Browse patient results and reviews.

Financing available

Low initial payments and monthly payment plans for qualifying patients.

PPO plans we accept

We do not accept state insurance. Call us to confirm your specific plan.

Deep Cleaning FAQs for Whittier Patients

How is a deep cleaning different from a regular cleaning?

A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from your teeth and just above the gumline. A deep cleaning goes below the gumline to clean the tooth roots and the pockets around them. It’s meant for gums that already show signs of disease.

Does a deep cleaning hurt?

Because it cleans below the gumline, local anesthesia may be used to numb the area so you stay comfortable. Your gums may feel tender for a short time afterward, and we’ll explain how to care for them.

How many visits does a deep cleaning take?

It depends on how much of your mouth needs treatment. A deep cleaning is often done in more than one stage, for example one section of the mouth at a time. We’ll explain your schedule after your exam.

I haven’t had a cleaning in years. Do I automatically need a deep cleaning?

Not automatically. If your gums are healthy and the buildup sits above the gumline, a routine cleaning may be enough. We decide after looking at your gums and X-rays, and we’ll explain why either way.

How often will I need cleanings after a deep cleaning?

Patients with gum disease often need cleanings more often than every six months, typically every three to four months. We recommend a schedule based on how your gums respond.

How much does a deep cleaning cost in Whittier?

It depends on how much of your mouth needs treatment and what your plan covers. You’ll know your share before we start, and any balance can be split into monthly payments through CareCredit or Cherry.

Deep Cleanings on Greenleaf Avenue

Our office at 6716 Greenleaf Avenue is open until 6 PM Monday through Thursday, which helps if your deep cleaning is split across more than one appointment. New patients are typically seen within one week.

We’ve been a local Whittier dentist since 2003, and checking your gums is part of every exam. Our English- and Spanish-speaking team can answer your questions.

Atlantic Dental & Orthodontics
6716 Greenleaf Avenue
Whittier, CA 90601

(562) 696-5544

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: Closed

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Gums Bleeding or Puffy? Let’s Take a Look.

Call Atlantic Dental & Orthodontics or request an appointment online. We’ll check your gums and explain whether a routine or deep cleaning is right for you.