
Good oral health is more than a bright smile — it supports your overall well‑being. At our Citrus Heights office, professional dental cleanings help keep teeth healthy, prevent problems before they start, and make visits comfortable and straightforward. Below you'll find why regular cleanings matter, what happens during an appointment, and why Dr. Carl Trubschenck and our team are a dependable choice for your dental care. Many people put off routine cleanings and end up with cavities or gum issues. Regular visits to a hygienist give you a simple, proactive way to avoid those problems. We’ll cover the benefits of cleaning, the difference between routine and deep cleanings, and how costs and payment options typically work.
Professional cleanings protect your oral health in clear, practical ways. Regular visits reduce decay, lower your chance of gum disease, and support everyday oral hygiene.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth. If it isn't removed, it hardens into tartar — material a toothbrush can't eliminate. Tartar leads to enamel breakdown and cavities. Regular professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar before they can damage tooth structure, preserving your enamel and reducing decay.
Knowing how plaque and tartar form — and how we remove them — helps you protect your teeth between visits.
Understanding & Preventing Dental Plaque & Tartar
Bacterial biofilms can mineralize into tartar (calculus). This work reviews how dental calculus forms and the methods used for its removal and prevention.
Tartar and plaque control, 2015
Gum disease starts as gingivitis and can progress to periodontitis if left untreated. Professional cleanings remove the tartar and plaque that irritate gums, reduce inflammation, and support healing. Keeping a regular cleaning schedule is one of the most effective ways to lower your risk of developing serious gum disease.
When you come in for a cleaning with Dr. Trubschenck and our team, you can expect a thorough, comfortable visit. We follow clear steps to check your oral health and leave your teeth clean and protected.
Routine cleaning follows a simple, effective sequence to maintain oral health. Steps typically include:
Your comfort matters to us. We use modern tools like digital X‑rays for accurate assessments and offer sedation options for patients who feel anxious. Our goal is a calm, efficient visit so you leave feeling well cared for.
Knowing the difference helps you choose the right care. Routine cleanings focus on prevention; deep cleanings treat active gum disease.
Deep cleaning is recommended when signs of gum disease appear — swollen or bleeding gums, persistent pockets around teeth, or a diagnosis of periodontitis. Patients who skip regular care or have a history of periodontal issues may also need deeper scaling and root planing.
Routine cleanings keep your mouth healthy through preventive maintenance. Deep cleanings go further, treating infection below the gum line to restore gum health and prevent further tissue loss. Both are important — one for prevention, the other for treatment.
Research continues to evaluate which plaque‑removal methods work best at different disease stages and pocket depths.
Ultrasonic vs. Manual Scaling for Periodontal Treatment
Mechanical plaque removal is the foundation of periodontal therapy. This analysis compares ultrasonic and manual subgingival scaling across different initial probing pocket depths to evaluate their effectiveness.
Treating periodontitis — a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2020
Picking the right practice makes routine care easier and more effective. Dr. Carl Trubschenck and our team combine experience, attention to comfort, and a patient‑first approach to deliver dependable cleanings and clear guidance.
We use up‑to‑date equipment and proven techniques to make cleanings thorough yet comfortable. Our office environment is designed to help you feel at ease from check‑in to checkout.
Patients regularly tell us they appreciate our thorough cleanings and friendly staff. Those firsthand accounts reflect our commitment to careful treatment and a welcoming atmosphere.
Cleanings matter beyond your mouth. Good oral care supports long‑term wellness and can reduce the risks linked with chronic conditions.
Poor oral health can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation that affects other parts of the body. Managing periodontal health is part of managing overall health, especially for patients with chronic conditions.
Ongoing studies highlight how maintaining good oral hygiene supports broader health outcomes.
Oral Health, Systemic Health & Dental Hygiene
This review examines inflammation’s role in oral and systemic health and translates those findings into practical guidance for dental hygiene and preventive care.
The Relationship Between Oral Health and Systemic Disease, 2009
Preventive care, including regular cleanings, catches small problems before they grow. That protects your teeth, saves time and money, and supports overall health for years to come.
Knowing costs and payment choices helps you plan care. Prices vary with the type of cleaning and any additional treatments required.
We strive to offer competitive pricing so quality cleanings are within reach for Citrus Heights families. If cost is a concern, our staff will help you explore options.
We accept a variety of insurance plans and can arrange payment plans when needed. Contact our office to confirm your coverage and learn about flexible payment choices.
BenefitRoutine CleaningDeep CleaningFrequencyEvery 6 monthsAs needed based on gum healthFocusPreventive careTreatment of gum diseaseProcedureSurface cleaningCleaning below the gum lineCostGenerally lowerHigher due to complexity
Professional dental cleaning in Citrus Heights is a simple, effective step toward better oral and overall health. With Dr. Carl Trubschenck and our team, you’ll get careful, personalized care that keeps your smile healthy. Schedule regular cleanings to prevent problems before they start — and get peace of mind about your oral health.
Tell our team — we listen and adapt. We offer relaxation techniques and sedation options when appropriate. Simple steps like deep breathing, listening to music, or having a companion can also help you feel more comfortable.
For most people, every six months is a good rule. If you have gum disease or other concerns, your dentist may recommend visits every three to four months. We’ll suggest a schedule that fits your needs.
After a cleaning, avoid eating or drinking for about 30 minutes if you received fluoride. You may feel mild sensitivity for a short time — this is normal. Keep brushing twice a day and flossing daily, and call us if discomfort persists.
Yes. Cleanings remove the plaque and tartar where odor‑causing bacteria grow. Your hygienist can also offer tailored tips to improve breath between visits. If bad breath continues, we’ll check for underlying causes.
A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) targets buildup below the gum line and may take longer or require multiple visits. We’ll walk you through the process and provide aftercare instructions to support healing and gum health.
Brush at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and consider an antibacterial mouthwash if recommended. Watch for changes like bleeding gums or sensitivity and report them at your next visit.
Schedule sooner if you notice persistent bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, increased tooth sensitivity, or visible tartar. Early attention helps prevent more serious issues and keeps care simpler.