Dental Cleanings & Exams in Mobile, AL

Most patients benefit from a cleaning and exam every six months. However, patients with a history of gum disease, heavy tartar buildup, or certain health conditions may need cleanings every 3–4 months. At your first visit we'll assess your gum health and recommend a schedule that makes sense for your situation.

A routine cleaning and exam for an established patient typically takes 60–75 minutes. Your first visit (new patient comprehensive exam) will take 75–90 minutes to allow time for X-rays, a detailed exam, and getting to know your dental history.

A hygienist removes plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces — including just below the gumline where brushing and flossing can't reach. Your teeth are then polished to remove surface stains. The dentist follows with a full exam: checking every tooth, evaluating your gums, reviewing your bite, and screening for oral cancer.

For most patients, a routine cleaning is comfortable and painless. You may feel some pressure or mild sensitivity around the gumline, especially if it's been a while since your last cleaning. If you experience discomfort, tell your hygienist — we can adjust our technique or apply a topical anesthetic.

A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gumline in patients who maintain healthy gums. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is a more intensive procedure performed when there are signs of gum disease — it cleans below the gumline to remove buildup from the roots of the teeth. If you need a deep cleaning, we'll explain why during your exam. See our Gum Disease Treatment page for more information.

Not necessarily at every visit. For most patients we take a full set of X-rays at the new patient appointment and then bitewing X-rays periodically — typically every 12-24 months depending on your cavity risk and insurance coverage. We won't take X-rays on a fixed schedule just to take them — but skipping them entirely means relying on visual examination alone, which misses decay between teeth and below the gumline.

Yes. Many dental problems — including cavities between teeth, early gum disease, and even oral cancer — have no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular cleanings and exams allow us to catch and treat these issues while they're still minor. By the time something hurts, it's usually more extensive and more expensive to fix.

Yes — but the type of cleaning depends on the severity. If you have early gum disease (gingivitis), a thorough routine cleaning combined with improved home care is often enough to reverse it. If gum disease has progressed to periodontitis with deeper pocket depths, a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is the appropriate treatment. We'll measure your pocket depths at your exam and explain which approach is right for you.

Tell your hygienist before they start. We can adjust our technique, use desensitizing products, or work in shorter segments if needed. Sensitivity during cleanings is common and manageable — it shouldn't be a reason to avoid coming in.

Yes — we welcome patients of all ages. We recommend bringing children in for their first dental visit around age one, or when their first tooth appears. Early visits help establish good habits, let kids get comfortable with the dental environment, and allow us to monitor development as their teeth come in.

Absolutely not. We see patients all the time who haven't been in for years — whether due to dental anxiety, cost, life getting in the way, or simply putting it off. Our job is to help you get back on track, not make you feel bad about where you've been. Every new visit is a fresh start.

Without insurance, a routine cleaning and exam at Rabbit Creek Dental is covered under the RCD Dental Savings Plan for $336 per year — which includes two cleanings, two exams, necessary X-rays, an oral cancer screening, and 20% off all additional treatment. If you prefer to pay per visit before committing to the plan, call us at (251) 308-0584 and we will give you current pricing upfront before you schedule. We never surprise patients with unexpected costs.