What happens when you skip your cleanings
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth constantly. Within 24 hours, plaque begins to harden into tartar — a calcified deposit that cannot be removed by brushing or flossing alone. Once tartar forms, only a professional cleaning removes it. Left untreated, tartar leads to gingivitis, then periodontitis, then irreversible bone loss and tooth loss.
The good news: this entire process is preventable. Two professional cleanings per year, combined with proper daily brushing and flossing, stop the cycle before it starts. The ADA reports that patients who maintain regular cleanings spend dramatically less on dental care over their lifetime than those who skip and treat reactively.
2x
Professional Cleanings Recommended Per Year
91%
of Systemic Diseases Have Oral Symptoms
47%
of US Adults Have Some Form of Gum Disease
6mo
Average Time for Plaque to Become Destructive Tartar
Your comprehensive preventive visit
Professional Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
Removal of plaque, tartar, and surface stains using specialized instruments. Includes polishing of all tooth surfaces.
Digital X-Rays
Low-radiation digital radiographs detect cavities between teeth, bone loss, infections, and problems invisible to the naked eye.
Comprehensive Exam
Dr. Korcek evaluates every tooth, the gum tissue, your bite, the jaw joints, and checks for signs of oral cancer.
Oral Cancer Screening
A thorough visual and tactile examination of all soft tissues. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes.
Periodontal Assessment
Gum pocket depths are measured to detect the earliest signs of periodontal disease before symptoms appear.
Personalized Home Care Guidance
Erika and Joanna provide tailored brushing and flossing recommendations based on what they see in your mouth.
Additional protection for patients at higher risk
Fluoride treatments applied at your cleaning appointment remineralize weak spots in enamel before they become cavities. They are applied as a varnish and take less than a minute. Fluoride is recommended for children, teenagers, and adults with a history of decay.
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth — the molars and premolars where most cavities in children and teenagers form. Sealants fill in the deep grooves where bacteria collect and are extremely effective at preventing decay.
What you do between appointments matters
Professional cleanings set the stage, but what you do at home determines how healthy your teeth remain between visits. Dr. Korcek’s team will walk you through the specifics at your appointment, but the fundamentals are:
- Brush twice daily for two full minutes — Use a soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Most people brush for 30–45 seconds; that is not enough.
- Floss once daily — Flossing removes plaque from between teeth and just below the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach. Water flossers are a good supplement but not a replacement.
- Use fluoride toothpaste — ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste strengthens enamel with every use.
- Limit sugar and acidic foods — Bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid that erodes enamel. Rinsing with water after eating and waiting 30 minutes before brushing reduces acid damage.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3–4 months — Frayed bristles are significantly less effective at removing plaque.
Korcek Dental
Schedule your next cleaning
Most insurance plans cover two cleanings per year at 100%. There is no reason to delay.