^{Checkups & cleanings}

Cleanings & Checkups in Seattle

A hygienist cleaning and a dentist exam, together in one appointment. Most visits take under an hour, and we open at 7 am so you can be done before work.

Book a cleaning Call (206) 225-2882

Two visits a year covered by most PPOs
Taking new patients
Mon, Tue, Thu 7am–4pm · Wed 7am-3pm

Your appointment, start to finish

BluePeak doesn’t book a cleaning without an exam, or vice versa. Each one informs the other. Here’s the order things happen in.

Paperwork (first visit only)

New patients complete a short form on medications, health conditions, and anything bothering you about your teeth. You can fill it out online ahead of time.

Imaging, when due

We only take X-rays with a clinical reason behind them. New patients usually get a full set as a baseline; after that, bitewings every one to two years is common. Images show what eyes can’t: decay in tight spots where teeth touch, the height of the bone, and root tips.

Gum measurements

Your hygienist gently probes the shallow groove around each tooth. Readings of 1–3mm are healthy; deeper numbers point toward gum disease. It’s quick and feels like light pressure.

Dentist exam

Next the dentist goes tooth by tooth looking for decay, fractures, and wear, compares it with last time, reviews your gum readings and X-rays, checks your bite, and screens the soft tissues of your mouth. Our guide to what to expect at a dental exam breaks it down further.

Tartar removal

Your hygienist removes tartar, the mineral crust that forms when plaque is left on teeth. It bonds tight, and only professional instruments get it off. This step clears tooth surfaces and the space just under the gum where tartar likes to collect. If gum disease turns up, the treatment shifts to scaling and root planing goes deeper.

Polish & floss

A gritty polishing paste lifts surface stain and leaves teeth slick. Then we floss each contact and just under the gum, reaching spots that are tough to get at home.

Fluoride, if recommended

A one-minute fluoride application after the cleaning hardens enamel.

Results & plan

Your dentist then sits down with you and goes over the findings without the jargon. Anything flagged comes with a description, a price, and a suggested timeframe. No treatment happens without your go-ahead.

Why the two go together

The exam decides which cleaning is appropriate. When the exam shows signs of gum disease, polishing alone won’t help and a deep cleaning is the right one. Skip the exam and that call gets missed.

The cleaning feeds back into the exam, too. Once tartar is off, the gums show their true condition.

And doing both at once saves you a second trip. You walk out with a full read on your mouth and a plan.

Beyond the toothbrush

A brush and floss handle plaque, the soft bacterial film that builds up every day. They’re no match for tartar.

Plaque that’s missed starts hardening within a day or three. After that, it’s cemented to the tooth and only a professional scaler will remove it.

Tartar that stays put irritates gums, opens up pockets where bacteria breed, and sets the stage for gum disease. Regular professional cleanings interrupt that chain, reset things to clean, and give your dentist a recurring look at what’s changing.

Your brush handles

Soft plaque that forms daily. Consistent brushing and flossing keep it under control.

Only we can handle

Plaque that’s hardened onto the tooth. It sets in one to three days and needs professional instruments to remove.

How often to come in

Every six months works for most healthy adults.

It takes roughly that long for meaningful tartar to build up under the gum. Six months is also short enough that new problems are still minor when we see them.

Some people do better every three to four months:

We’ll suggest the right interval after your first visit.

• Anyone with a history of gum disease
• Fast tartar builders
• People with diabetes or dry mouth
• Anyone wearing braces
More on cleaning frequency →

A word on X-rays

Imaging happens when it adds information, not by default every visit.

New patients usually start with a full set. Returning adults typically need bitewings once every 12 to 24 months, and we may take a single targeted image sooner if we’re watching something.

Safety: The dose from modern dental X-rays is tiny, smaller than a cross-country flight’s worth of cosmic radiation. Curious about what we’re taking and why? Just ask.

Insurance and pricing

Most PPO plans pay 100% for two cleaning-and-exam visits each year, one of the most dependable benefits in dental insurance.

We check your coverage before your appointment, so you’ll know what’s included before you arrive. No surprises at checkout.

No insurance? Ask about our self-pay pricing and see what a teeth cleaning costs.

Wondering if your plan qualifies? We’ll check for you. → (206) 225-2882

Booking is simple

Online or by phone

Choose a time: Mon, Tue, Thu 7am–4pm · Wed 7am-3pm. Online booking takes about two minutes.

We take care of the admin

Benefits verified before you come in, and new-patient forms you can finish online.

Leave informed

Your dentist goes over everything after the exam and cleaning, so you leave with a plan rather than unanswered questions.

^Pricing

What do checkups and cleanings cost?

A typical visit includes an exam, a cleaning, and whatever X-rays your dentist needs. Each part is priced below at our 2026 self-pay rates. Insurance usually lowers your share, and you’ll get a written estimate after we check your benefits.

2026 self-pay prices

Routine exam $90
New-patient comprehensive exam $95
Adult cleaning $165
Child cleaning $105
Bitewing X-rays $35–$90
Full-mouth X-rays $155

^FAQ

Cleaning FAQs

Will my cleaning hurt?

Healthy gums? Expect scraping sensations and the buzz of the ultrasonic tool, not pain. Inflamed or tender gums can be sore where we clean near the gumline. Tell your hygienist and they’ll adjust.

How long is the appointment?

Plan on under an hour if you’ve been here before. First visits, with full X-rays and a comprehensive exam, run 60 to 90 minutes.

Are dental X-rays safe?

Yes. The radiation involved is very low, far below a chest X-ray, and we take images only when they’re useful. Ask anytime and we’ll explain what we’re taking.

Regular cleaning vs. deep cleaning?

Prophylaxis, the regular kind, is for healthy gums and works at the gumline and up. SRP, the deep version, works on roots below the gum to treat active periodontitis. The exam tells us which you need.

It’s been years since my last cleaning. Is that okay?

Completely. People come back after long breaks all the time. We’ll see where things stand, catch up on anything needed, and get you on a regular schedule. Zero lectures.