Oral Hygiene Cleanings in Durham, NC

Keep your teeth and gums healthy with expert care from Stead Willis, DMD.

Is Skipping Regular Cleanings Putting Your Oral Health at Risk?
Stead Willis, DMD has your solution for clean, healthy teeth.
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Are you dealing with tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, or bad breath? Neglecting regular dental cleanings can lead to serious problems like gum disease and tooth decay. At Stead Willis, DMDThis link leads to Home page in Durham, NC, we specialize in professional teeth cleanings to keep your oral health on track.

Dr. WillisThis link leads to Team page and our caring dental team provide thorough, gentle cleanings that remove plaque and prevent issues before they arise.

Issues we can help fix:

  • Tooth sensitivity caused by plaque buildup

  • Bleeding gums from gum disease

  • Bad breath from poor oral hygiene

  • Preventing cavities and tooth decay

  • Protecting tooth enamel from acidic foods

Don’t let dental problems affect your confidence or health. Our team is ready to help you maintain a healthy smile.

The Benefits of Regular Teeth Cleanings
Healthy teeth, happy smile: Why professional cleanings matter.
Prevent gum disease

Routine dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar, stopping gum disease before it starts. Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile.

Keep teeth and gums healthy

Professional teeth cleanings eliminate surface stains, prevent cavities, and protect tooth enamel, giving you a brighter, stronger smile.

Fresh breath and confidence

Say goodbye to bad breath with thorough cleanings that remove bacteria and debris, leaving your mouth clean and refreshed.

Early detection of dental issues

Regular visits allow Dr. Willis to catch problems like cavities or oral cancer early, ensuring quick treatment and better outcomes.

What is Professional Oral Hygiene Cleaning?
Understanding oral hygiene cleanings in Durham, NC.
An older woman smiling

Oral hygiene cleaning is a professional teeth-cleaning process performed by a skilled dental hygienist. During a routine dental cleaning at Stead Willis, DMD in Durham, NC, our team removes plaque and tartar, cleans along the gum line, and polishes your teeth for a healthy shine.

Dr. Willis conducts a thorough dental exam to identify potential issues, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or oral cancer.

Many patients experience problems like tooth sensitivity or bleeding gums without realizing that regular cleanings could help. Our dental team ensures your teeth and gums stay healthy while preventing larger problems like tooth loss or gum recession.

If you’ve been struggling to maintain good oral hygiene, we’re here to provide the care you need.

An older woman smiling
How Cleanings at Stead Willis, DMD Work
In just three steps, our dental hygienist cleans your teeth and gums.
A young woman in glasses smiling

A thorough cleaning with our dental team helps you maintain a bright and healthy smile, but it also helps prevent serious health issues that can be detected through your oral health. Poor dental hygiene is linked to gum disease, tooth loss, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, cancers, and other problems.

  • Step 1

    Our dental hygienist checks your mouth to ensure no issues, such as gingivitis, before proceeding. Using a small mirror, we’re able to inspect hard to reach places that are usually difficult to see.

  • Step 2

    We start cleaning. Using a scaler, we remove plaque on teeth, especially near the gumline and between teeth. The next part of cleaning is brushing and flossing to ensure we thoroughly clean each tooth.

  • Step 3

    The cleaning is complete (that was fast, right?). Rinse your teeth, and we’ll provide a fluoride treatment if necessary. In addition to fluoride treatment, we may recommend other tips for the best ways to keep your teeth clean and healthy at home.

We recommend biannual visits to make it easy to quickly and effectively clean your teeth. The longer you wait, the more buildup your teeth may have, making cleaning more difficult.

Even if you’re overdue for a professional cleaning at the dentist, we don’t judge, and we’ll make the experience comfortable and stress-free from start to finish.

‘‘This is such a talented, warm, wholesome team! The care I've received here has been flawless each time. They have made sure I’m completely comfortable throughout every procedure.’’

Cody L. (5-Star Google Review)

‘‘Dr. Willis is the best!! This is the second emergency I have had this year and he has gotten me in the very next day each time! Makes me feel at ease every time! I have been a patient of his dad’s for 20+ years and have realized the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Great dentist!! ’’

Donna B. (5-Star Google Review)

‘‘Caroline, my hygienist, is wonderful. She is caring, compassionate and always pleasant.
A definite asset to this office. Dr. Donoway is awesome. He is also a caring and compassionate person. He gives me good advice about my dental care and I trust him. All of the staff in this practice are nice, friendly and helpful. A wonderful place to go for your dental needs.
’’

Alice W. (5-Star Google Review)

Why Stead Willis, DMD Is Your Best Choice For Teeth Cleanings
Expert care and personalized attention for every smile.
Dr. Stead Willis

Choosing Stead Willis, DMD for oral hygiene cleanings in Durham, NC, means partnering with a dedicated dental team focused on your overall health.

Dr. Willis brings years of experience in professional teeth cleaning and gum care, offering gentle and effective treatments tailored to your needs.

Our practice stands out because of our personalized approach, advanced dental technology, and welcoming environment where you feel at ease. Whether you need routine dental cleanings or periodontal maintenance, we ensure your teeth and gums are in expert hands.

Say goodbye to tartar buildup, gum disease, and tooth sensitivity with our comprehensive care.

Stead Willis DMD team posing together for a photo
FAQ About Oral Hygiene Cleanings
  • What is the best oral hygiene routine?

    We recommend you brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Be sure to brush thoroughly so that you reach all parts of your teeth.

    The equipment you use is essential for your daily routine. Make sure your toothbrush comfortably fits your mouth and has soft bristles. Brushes wear and tear over time, so pay attention and know when to replace your brush. Worn bristles won’t brush as well and may miss tight spaces. As for toothpaste, make sure it’s an FDA approved fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities.

  • How do you take care of oral hygiene?

    Brush twice a day and brush after meals if you can, using an FDA approved fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to floss thoroughly as well.

    In addition to maintaining oral hygiene at home, be sure to schedule regular dental visits so that the dentist can complete a professional cleaning and dental exam to prevent any severe complications.

    One more piece that plays a huge role in oral hygiene that people don’t often think about is proper nutrition and not smoking. What you put in your body affects your oral health and, in turn, your overall health.

  • What does oral hygiene include?

    Oral hygiene includes brushing and flossing to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It’s crucial to the health of your teeth and gums, as well as your overall health.

    Dental hygiene affects your total well-being, and inadequate hygiene can negatively affect your life with issues ranging from bad breath to serious mouth diseases. Most people don’t realize it, but oral health is also linked to cardiovascular disease and different types of cancers.

  • What is a routine dental cleaning?

    Routine dental cleanings are professional cleanings every six months completed by a dental hygienist or dentist. They’re a vital step in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

    Schedule your routine dental cleaning at Stead Willis, DMD in Durham today.

  • What is the difference between a dental cleaning and a deep cleaning?

    Similar to dental cleaning, deep cleaning involves the removal of plaque and buildup. The difference is that a regular one is completed every six months for maintenance, while a deep cleaning involves cleaning buildup below the gumline to treat advanced gingivitis called periodontal disease.

    It’s a more in-depth cleaning that involves going deeper down the gumline and the tooth root—the procedure is also called scaling and root planing. Deep cleaning treatment is necessary when bacteria and buildup develop below the gumline, which can lead to periodontal disease and tooth loss.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy With Stead Willis, DMD

Schedule a routine dentist visit in Durham.