General Dentistry · Merrick, NY

Dental cleaning in Merrick, NY

A professional cleaning and check-up is the simplest way to keep your teeth and gums healthy and to catch small problems before they grow. At Modern Dental Hub in Merrick, NY, our hygienists and dentists make these visits gentle and unhurried, with evening hours Tuesday to Thursday for patients who cannot come during the workday.

Book online Call (516) 855-6855

Digital X-rays and 3D imagingModern diagnostics for precise, conservative treatment plans
Same-day emergency visitsWhen possible, we see dental emergencies the same day
Most major PPO plans acceptedOur office verifies your benefits before treatment
Evening hours Tue–ThuOpen until 7 PM three days a week, 10–5 on Mondays and Fridays

Who dental cleanings can help

Cleanings and check-ups are for everyone with teeth. They are especially useful if you:

Have not seen a dentist in more than a year.
Notice bleeding when you brush or floss, bad breath that does not go away or gums that look red or puffy.
Have tartar build-up that brushing cannot remove.
Are pregnant, have diabetes or take medication that causes dry mouth, which raise the risk of gum problems and decay.

If your gums have already pulled away from the teeth or there are deep pockets around them, a routine cleaning may not be enough. Your dentist may recommend a deeper cleaning or laser gum treatment instead.

What a dental cleaning is

A dental cleaning, also called prophylaxis, removes plaque, tartar and stain from the surfaces of the teeth, including just below the gum line where a toothbrush cannot reach. Plaque that is not removed hardens into tartar, which irritates the gums and can only be removed with professional instruments.

At Modern Dental Hub, a cleaning visit also includes an examination by one of our dentists. The dentist checks each tooth for decay, cracks and worn fillings, examines your gums, screens the soft tissues of the mouth and reviews your bite. When needed, we take digital X-rays to see between the teeth and below the gums.

A patient smiling during a dental examination with a mirror and probe (illustrative stock photo)

What to expect

Most patients leave a cleaning with teeth that feel smooth and look brighter, and with a clear picture of how their mouth is doing. If we find something, such as a small cavity or an area of gum inflammation, we explain it in plain language and talk through the next step.

Cleanings are generally comfortable. If your gums are inflamed, they may be tender and bleed a little during the cleaning, and you may feel some sensitivity to cold for a day or two afterward. If you are sensitive or anxious, tell your hygienist; we can use a numbing gel and work at your pace.

How often you should come depends on your mouth. Many patients visit every six months. Your dentist recommends the interval that suits you.

How it works, step by step

Health review and gum screening. We update your medical history. The hygienist measures the space between your gums and teeth at several points to check gum health and notes any bleeding.
X-rays when needed. If it is time for X-rays, we take digital images. They appear on the screen within seconds.
Removing plaque and tartar. Using specialized instruments, the hygienist cleans every tooth surface, including just below the gum line, then polishes the teeth to remove surface stain and flosses between them.
Examination by the dentist. Your dentist reviews the X-rays, examines your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and bite, and discusses any findings with you.
Your plan. We go over home-care tips for your mouth, schedule your next visit and, if treatment is needed, give you a written estimate.

Aftercare and recovery

You can eat and drink right away unless your hygienist asks you to wait.
Mild gum tenderness or bleeding for a day is normal if your gums were inflamed.
Sensitivity to cold may appear for a day or two after tartar is removed from exposed root surfaces. It usually fades.
Keep your next appointment at the interval your dentist recommended, even if your mouth feels fine.
Call us if you notice persistent bleeding, a loose tooth, a sore that does not heal within two weeks or pain in a specific tooth.

Cost, insurance and payment

The cost of a cleaning visit depends on what your mouth needs: a routine cleaning and exam, X-rays if they are due and any additional treatment the dentist recommends. We explain each part after the examination and give you a written estimate before anything beyond the cleaning is done.

Modern Dental Hub accepts 24 dental insurance plans, and cleanings and exams are commonly covered as a preventive benefit. Benefits and coverage should be verified with the office before treatment; see our insurance page. Flexible payment options are available for patients without insurance; contact the office or see our payment options page. New patients can ask about our New Patient Special (exam, consultation and 3 X-rays); eligibility and terms are confirmed by the office.

Current offer

New Patient Special

Exam, consultation and 3 X-rays. Contact the office to confirm eligibility and offer terms.

Verify your plan: call (516) 855-6855 Insurance we accept Payment options

Frequently asked questions

How often should I have my teeth cleaned?

Many patients come every six months. Your dentist may recommend a shorter interval if you have gum disease, build tartar quickly or have other risk factors.

Why do my gums bleed when the hygienist cleans them?

Bleeding during a cleaning is usually a sign of inflammation caused by plaque along the gum line, not of the cleaning being too rough.

Do I need X-rays at every cleaning?

No. X-rays are taken when they help the dentist see something a visual exam cannot, such as decay between the teeth or bone levels around the roots. How often depends on your history and risk.

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

A routine cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and just below the gum line in a healthy mouth. A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, treats gum disease by cleaning further down the root surfaces, usually with local anesthetic and over more than one visit.

Can I come in the evening?

Yes. Our office is open until 7 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 10 AM to 5 PM on Monday and Friday. You can book online or call (516) 855-6855.

Myths and facts

Myth: If my teeth do not hurt, I do not need a check-up

Fact: Cavities and gum disease usually cause no pain in their early stages. Regular check-ups catch them while they are small and simple to treat.

Myth: Brushing well means I can skip professional cleanings

Fact: Even careful brushing and flossing leave some plaque behind, and once it hardens into tartar it cannot be removed at home. A professional cleaning reaches what your toothbrush cannot.

Myth: Bleeding gums are normal

Fact: Healthy gums do not bleed with brushing, flossing or cleaning. Bleeding is an early sign of gum inflammation and a reason to have your gums checked.

Have a question about a dental cleaning? Our team will explain your options after an examination.

Book online Call (516) 855-6855

Our dentists

The dentists who provide this care

Meet the whole team

Dr. Margarita Kaus

Education and training

New York University, Doctor of Dental Surgery; Northwell Health (Residency)
Read more about Dr. Margarita Kaus
Dr. Isaak Rubinov

Education and training

New York University, Doctor of Dental Surgery; Kings County Hospital Center, Residency in General Practice
Read more about Dr. Isaak Rubinov
Dr. Jonathan Zaika

Education and training

New York University College of Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Surgery
Read more about Dr. Jonathan Zaika
Dr. Stanley Faynblut

Education and training

Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Dental Surgery (Summa Cum Laude); NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, General Practice Residency
Read more about Dr. Stanley Faynblut