At The Foleck Center in Norfolk, our dentists and hygienists know that maintaining excellent oral health starts with regular cleanings and exams. These services are the foundation of preventive dentistry.
Regular dental exams and cleanings also lower the chance of needing more extensive procedures such as fillings, crowns, or tooth extractions.
Dental cleanings and exams are quick, gentle, and typically completed in under an hour.
Our approach is simple: fear or discomfort should never keep you from a healthy smile. For those who need extra reassurance, we also offer sedation dentistry.
We take pride in making dental care a positive experience for the whole family.
Our dentists generally recommend dental cleanings every six months to maintain optimal oral health.
Reasons You Might Need More Frequent Cleanings:
Most dental insurance plans cover two exams and cleanings per year. For patients without insurance, we offer a wellness plan.
Dr. Adam Foleck, DMD, leads the Foleck Center team with more than 25 years of clinical experience, a dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry, and post-graduate training in implant placement, bone grafting, and full-mouth rehabilitation at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
He is an internationally recognized lecturer whose published work includes an authored chapter in Modern Implant Dentistry, one of the field’s most widely used textbooks. Alongside Dr. Foleck, a team of experienced dentists, certified dental hygienists, and dedicated support staff bring the same patient-first philosophy to every preventive and restorative appointment across all four Foleck Center locations.
A routine dental exam is about more than checking for cavities. It’s a proactive step in preventing tooth decay, detecting early signs of gum disease, and addressing oral health concerns before they become more serious. Our dental hygienists perform a complete oral exam, screen for oral cancer, and evaluate your medical history, flossing habits, and oral hygiene routine.
With tools like dental x-rays, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants, we help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. As recommended by the American Dental Association, we encourage regular dental visits and routine cleanings to reduce the risk of tooth loss, periodontal disease, and other dental issues caused by plaque buildup and poor dental hygiene.
The CDC Division of Oral Health reports that “about 1 in 4 adults have untreated cavities” and that “almost half of adults over 30 show signs of gum disease,” both of which rarely produce noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Without a professional oral health screening, both conditions can advance well before causing any pain or visible change, which is why scheduled exams remain the most reliable way to catch and address them.
The American Dental Association explains that a recommended baseline to visit the dentist is once or twice a year, however there’s no one-size-fits-all schedule for dental visits. Others may need more frequent visits, since each person’s smile and needs are unique. Waiting for pain or visible damage before scheduling is not advisable; by that point, a problem has typically already progressed.
From young children to older adults, dental care needs evolve over time. That’s why we offer services like children’s dentistry, deep dental cleanings, and preventive education to encourage regular brushing, healthy eating habits, and good tooth brushing technique. We emphasize the importance of regular professional dental cleanings and checkups to help prevent oral diseases and promote a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth.
Our gentle, patient-first approach means you’ll receive exceptional dental care in a supportive and relaxed setting, whether you’re in for a teeth cleaning appointment, experiencing bleeding gums, or need urgent attention for a dental emergency.
Between professional appointments, many patients incorporate at-home practices they’ve come across through social media, wellness content, or personal recommendations. Oil pulling with coconut oil, salt water rinsing, brushing with baking soda, and applying clove oil for temporary tooth discomfort are among the most widely circulated approaches. While none of these habits are inherently harmful when used with care, they are frequently and incorrectly positioned as substitutes for clinical-grade cleaning rather than as supplemental routines.
A review published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that while oil pulling can produce modest oral hygiene benefits, “oil pulling does not replace dental therapy and is currently not recommended by the American Dental Association.” Practices like baking soda brushing and salt water rinsing share a similar limitation: they can offer mild supplemental benefits but cannot remove calcified tartar deposits or replicate the clinical assessment performed during a professional appointment.
Your visit will typically begin with a comprehensive examination of your head, neck, and oral tissues to check for any abnormalities. Each tooth will be evaluated individually, using specialized dental instruments to gently assess areas around the teeth and gums for issues that may not be visible to the naked eye. X-rays may also be taken to provide a clearer view of areas between teeth or below the surface. In addition, your dental team will check for signs of grinding, measure gum pocket depth, and assess how your teeth respond to temperature and percussion.
Based on the results of your exam, your dentist will recommend a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific oral health needs. Whether you require a simple filling or more complex care like oral surgery, a wide range of dental solutions is available under one roof. During your visit, one of our experienced hygienists will also perform a thorough cleaning, using specialized tools to remove plaque buildup both above and below the gum line.
A routine prophylaxis, referred to clinically as a prophy and coded as D1110 for adults, is the professional cleaning performed by a licensed dental hygienist as part of your preventive visit. Using a combination of hand scalers and an ultrasonic instrument, the hygienist removes both soft plaque and hardened calculus (tartar) from all tooth surfaces, including the areas just below the gumline that a toothbrush cannot access. The appointment concludes with a polishing step to clear surface stains and a thorough floss of every contact point between teeth.
The American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy patient resource notes that plaque left behind by brushing and flossing can harden into tartar, also called calculus, and that once tartar forms, only a dentist can remove it, emphasizing why professional cleanings remain a necessary part of a preventive care routine even for people with good home hygiene habits. For most patients in good oral health, a prophy is recommended once every six months, though patients with a history of gum disease or higher buildup rates may benefit from more frequent visits based on their dentist’s assessment.
Preventive dental visits are among the most accessible forms of routine healthcare, with costs well below the restorative procedures that become necessary when routine checkups are skipped. The figures below reflect national industry benchmarks and do not represent the pricing at any specific practice.
According to Guardian’s dental cost data, a routine adult dental cleaning and exam averaged $203 in 2024, with costs ranging from $50 to $350 depending on geographic region, provider type, and scope of services.
These figures are industry averages intended for general reference only and do not reflect the pricing at your local dentist or The Foleck Center. To learn about specific rates and payment options, patients are encouraged to contact the team directly.
According to the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), a record 293 million Americans had dental coverage as of year-end 2022. Most dental plans follow a tiered coverage structure in which preventive services such as exams and cleanings are covered at 100%, often with no waiting period, while basic and major procedures are reimbursed at progressively lower rates. Major dental benefit providers active in the national market include Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, Guardian Life, Humana, and BlueCross BlueShield. This list reflects nationally recognized carriers based on industry enrollment data and is not a confirmed list of plans across various dentists, contact your practice for verification.
Even with diligent at-home care, plaque and tartar can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas.
Yes. Most dental insurance plans cover two exams and cleanings per year.
Yes! Dental cleanings are highly safe and effective.
Yes! Even with dental implants, dentures, or other restorations, regular cleanings and exams remain essential.
Your healthiest smile begins with prevention. Don’t wait for minor issues to become major problems—schedule your dental exams and dental cleanings with The Foleck Center in Norfolk today.
