A cleaner smile today. Fewer surprises tomorrow.
Routine dental cleanings and exams help remove buildup, monitor your gums and catch small problems early — before they have a chance to become bigger ones.
Simple preventive care can make a big difference over time.
Six things we check while keeping your smile clean.
A routine visit is about much more than polishing your teeth. It gives us a chance to check what you can see — and what you can’t.
Plaque & tartar buildup
We remove hardened buildup that regular brushing and flossing can’t fully take away.
Early signs of cavities
Small areas of decay are easier to address when they’re found before they cause symptoms.
Your gum health
We check for changes such as inflammation, bleeding and other signs that your gums need attention.
What’s below the surface
When needed, dental X-rays help us see problems that may not be visible during a regular exam.
Existing dental work
Fillings, crowns and other restorations are checked so we can spot changes before they become larger problems.
Your whole mouth
Your routine exam also gives us an opportunity to check the soft tissues of your mouth and screen for concerning changes.
Recognize any of these? Don't wait for a tooth to crack.
Once plaque hardens into tartar, brushing and flossing alone can’t remove it. That buildup needs to be removed professionally.
More than just that freshly cleaned feeling.
Even with consistent brushing and flossing, plaque can remain in areas that are difficult to reach. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it can’t be removed with a toothbrush alone.
A professional cleaning removes that buildup while your dental exam gives us the opportunity to look for early signs of tooth decay, gum problems and other changes in your oral health.
And because every mouth is different, your preventive schedule should be too. We’ll recommend how often you should return based on your oral health and individual needs.
Not every cleaning — or every exam — needs to be the same.
Your visit is based on what we see, your dental history and what your teeth and gums actually need.
Routine Cleaning
Professional cleaning removes plaque, tartar and surface buildup from your teeth to help keep your smile and gums healthy.
- For patients with generally healthy gums who need routine preventive care.
- For routine checkups — or whenever we need a closer look below the surface.
Dental Exam & X-Rays
We examine your teeth, gums and mouth, using digital X-rays when needed to help identify problems that aren’t visible on the surface.
Deep Cleaning
If gum disease has created buildup below the gumline, scaling and root planing may be recommended instead of a routine cleaning.
- For patients with gum disease and plaque or tartar buildup below the gumline.
From check-in to clean, confident smile.
- Quick health update
We review any changes, concerns or sensitivity and determine whether updated X-rays are appropriate for your visit.
- Exam & professional cleaning
We check your teeth, gums and mouth while removing plaque, tartar and buildup that can’t be fully removed at home.
- Know what comes next
We explain what we found, answer your questions and recommend when you should return based on your individual needs.
200 reasons to choose us.
We don't ask you to trust us. We let our patients do the talking.
I hadn’t been to the dentist in longer than I wanted to admit, so I was expecting a lecture. Instead, the whole visit felt easy. My cleaning was gentle, everything was explained clearly, and I left knowing exactly what to keep an eye on and when to come back.
Melissa R.
Teeth Cleaning & Exam
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had a small chip on my front tooth that bothered me in every photo. I expected a much bigger treatment, but bonding was enough. The shade matches beautifully and the tooth still looks completely natural.
Laura M.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I drink coffee every day and felt like my teeth had gradually become much darker than they used to be. I wanted them brighter, but I definitely didn’t want that artificial super-white look. They helped me choose a shade that still looked like me, and the difference was exactly what I wanted. My smile looks fresher without looking “done.”
Emily S.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I avoided the dentist for years because of a terrible experience when I was younger. By the time I finally booked, I was embarrassed about both my teeth and how anxious I was. Nobody made me feel judged. They talked through the sedation options with me beforehand, explained exactly what to expect and made the appointment feel completely manageable. It was the first time I left a dental office thinking, “I can actually do this again.”
Lauren D.
Sedation Dentistry
Kensington, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I used to think preventive dentistry just meant getting my teeth cleaned and coming back six months later. They actually took the time to explain why I kept getting cavities in the same areas and helped me change a few things at home. We also added extra protection to a couple of teeth that needed it. My visits feel much more proactive now instead of waiting for the next problem.
Nicole B.
Preventive Dentistry
Kensington, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had been dealing with jaw soreness and painful clicking for months and wasn’t even sure whether I should see a dentist about it. The appointment was very thorough. They asked when the pain happened, checked how my jaw was moving and explained the difference between the joint and the surrounding muscles. I appreciated that the plan felt conservative and specific to what I was actually experiencing.
Sarah L.
TMJ Evaluation & Treatment
Chevy Chase, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea but struggled with my CPAP enough that I wasn’t using it consistently. I talked with my sleep doctor about alternatives and then came to Bethesda Dental Group for an oral appliance. The fitting process was easy, the adjustments were explained clearly, and traveling is much simpler now. My wife is also very happy that the snoring has improved.
James R.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had a badly broken molar and kept putting the appointment off because I was nervous about having it removed. They showed me why the tooth couldn’t really be saved, talked me through everything before starting, and the actual extraction was much more manageable than I had built it up to be. I also appreciated that we talked about what to do with the space afterward instead of just stopping there.
Rachel P.
Tooth Extraction
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I went in with a toothache that had kept me up the night before and was honestly dreading hearing “root canal.” The team explained exactly what they were seeing and what would happen next. Once I was numb, the appointment was much easier than I expected, and the relief afterward made me wish I had come in sooner.
Michael T.
Root Canal Treatment
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I chipped an old filling and was convinced it was going to turn into a much bigger procedure. Dr. Shawn showed me exactly what was happening, explained my options clearly, and repaired the tooth without making the visit stressful. My bite feels completely normal again, and the new filling blends in so well I can barely see it.
Daniel M
Composite Filling Replacement
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
Routine care today can help prevent bigger surprises later.
We accept most PPO insurance plans. And if your exam uncovers additional treatment you need, Cherry, Sunbit, Proceed, Care Credit financing is available for eligible care with no hard credit check and flexible payment options.
Ready for that clean fresh smile feeling?
Book your dental cleaning and exam at Bethesda Dental Group and keep your routine care — and your oral health — on track.
