General Dentistry
Dental Exams & Cleanings in Pikesville, MD
The visit that keeps everything else away
Voted Top Dentist by Baltimore Magazine, 2026
Regular checkups and a professional cleaning remove the buildup your toothbrush and floss miss, and they are the single best way to prevent cavities and gum disease and keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Understanding dental exams & cleanings
Preventive Dental Care
Preventive dental care is a vital part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums throughout your life. No matter your age, you should practice good oral hygiene at home and schedule regular checkups with your dentist.
Here are a few things you can do to keep that bright and healthy smile, and prevent the build-up of plaque and the onset of cavities.
- Brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day, with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Use toothpaste with fluoride to help keep the enamel strong.
- Brush the top surface of your tongue to help remove extra plaque-causing particles – this will also help keep your breath nice and fresh.
- Clean between your teeth with floss at least once per day.
- Use mouthwash once a day to help dislodge any additional decay-causing food particles and bacteria from areas the brush and floss could not reach.
- Eat a balanced diet, including plenty of raw vegetables, cheese, plain yogurt and fruit.
- Avoid soda and sugary foods.
- If you participate in sports – whenever possible, wear a mouth guard.
- Visit your dentist regularly, every six months and ask about any other ways to protect and maintain your teeth – dentistry is a rapidly advancing field.
Brushing Instructions
- Place your toothbrush, touching your teeth, at a 45 degree angle to your gums
- Move the brush gently, in a circular motion.
- Make sure to brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of each individual tooth.
- The tip of your brush can be used to brush the inner surface of your front teeth
Flossing Instructions
- Wind about 18” of dental floss around your index fingers with about an inch of floss available between them.
- Most of the floss should be wrapped around one of the fingers with the other acting as the “pick up spool” as the floss is used to clean your teeth.
- Use your forefingers and thumbs to guide the floss between your teeth. Hold the floss firmly as you move the floss in a sawing pattern.
- Slide the floss up and down against and between each tooth.
Contact our dental office and make an appointment. We are here to help: (410) 594-9500
Most of our Pikesville families are seen every six months, and we schedule these checkups back to back so parents and children can be cleaned in the same visit. If it has been a while since your last cleaning, we will meet you where you are with no lecture.
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See dental exams & cleanings explained
Why patients choose them
The benefits of dental exams & cleanings
Prevents gum disease
Professional cleaning removes the hardened calculus below the gumline that causes periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Catches problems early
A regular exam finds decay, cracks, and other issues while they are small, when treatment is simplest and least expensive.
Reaches what you cannot
A cleaning removes calculus in the places your toothbrush and floss miss, even with excellent home care.
Personalized guidance
We review your brushing and flossing technique and recommend the products and routine that fit your mouth.
What to expect
The dental exams & cleanings process
- 01
Review and exam
We review your health history and gently examine your teeth and gums, taking x-rays only when they are needed.
- 02
Professional cleaning
We remove plaque and hardened calculus from above and below the gumline, including the areas home care cannot reach.
- 03
Polish and assess
Your teeth are polished, and we assess your gum health and note anything that needs attention.
- 04
Home-care plan
We review proper brushing and flossing technique and suggest a schedule for your next visit.
From Our Blog
Learn more about dental exams & cleanings
Common Questions
Dental Exams & Cleanings questions
Not seeing your question? Call the office at (410) 594-9500 and someone will actually pick up.
Patient Reviews
What our dental exams & cleanings patients say
“This is my second hygiene appointment with Sam and she is nothing short of spectacular. She is the best at what she does and I can’t recommend her enough!”
Nikaon Google“Loved the entire staff professionalism and friendly environment. Dr Todd is awesome. He actually checked on me again before I left while with the hygienist.”
Cherion Google
Interested in dental exams & cleanings?
Our doctors will tell you honestly whether dental exams & cleanings are the right choice for your smile. Call our Pikesville office to schedule a consultation.