Teeth Cleaning in Tampa
Most cleanings take about an hour, and no injection is needed. You feel pressure, cold water, and scraping near the gumline, then a polish at the end. Tender spots usually settle by evening.
Book an AppointmentWhat is a teeth cleaning?
Plaque is soft. Most of it comes off with a brush, twice a day. What stays behind hardens into tartar, usually along the gumline and behind the lower front teeth. Tartar is mineral, so brushing will not shift it, and neither will floss or a water flosser. Taking it off is the point of the visit.
Gums react to whatever sits against them. Clear the deposit off and the tissue firms up again on its own. We check the gums before we start and again at the end, and the cleaning always comes with an exam. The cleaning handles the deposits. The exam looks at what they were covering.
What to expect with a teeth cleaning
Comfort
Routine cleanings are done without injections. If a tooth is sensitive or a spot is tender, say so. Topical gel or a slower pass usually helps.
Time
Plan on about an hour for a cleaning and exam. Longer if it has been years, or if X-rays are due.
After
Gums often feel tender that evening and may bleed a little when you brush. That settles in a day or two. Eat and drink as usual.
Insurance
We take most PPO plans. Coverage for cleanings and for periodontal therapy works differently, so we verify your benefits first and tell you your share.
Healthy Smiles Are Possible
Check-in and charting
We go over your medical history and current medications, then chart the gums, measuring the pocket depth around each tooth. X-rays are taken first if they are due.
Scaling the deposits
The hygienist works around each tooth with a fine hand instrument and an ultrasonic scaler, which uses vibration and a water spray to break tartar loose. It sounds louder than it feels.
Polish and floss
A rubber cup and gritty paste smooth the surfaces and lift the stain sitting on top of the enamel. Flossing afterward clears the paste from between the teeth, then you rinse.
Findings and next steps
Dr. Rotaru or Dr. Lopez goes through the findings with you and points out anything worth watching. If something needs treatment, you get the plan and an estimate of the cost before you leave.
If it has been a few years
Come anyway. Long gaps are common, and nobody here is going to lecture you about it. The procedure is the same one. It just takes longer, and your gums will probably bleed while we work. Bleeding is a sign of inflamed tissue, not damage, and it eases off as the deposits come away.
Sometimes the buildup sits under the gumline and the bone around the tooth has started to pull back. That needs periodontal therapy, scaling and root planing, done with numbing and usually split across two visits. You hear about it before we start, not halfway through, and you see the measurements behind it.
How often to come back
Twice a year suits most adults. Some people need three or four visits, usually because they build tartar fast, take a medication that dries the mouth, smoke, or have a history of gum disease. Dr. Rotaru or Dr. Lopez will tell you which interval fits your mouth, and why. If six months has been working, we leave it alone.
Dr. Ion Rotaru, DMD
Dr. Rotaru holds degrees in biomedical sciences and in dental medicine. He is from Moldova and moved to the United States to practice dentistry. His work is general dentistry, which covers most of what a person needs over a lifetime: checkups and cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, and the ordinary repairs in between.
He is fluent in English, Romanian, and Russian, and sees patients in all three languages. His approach starts with the person rather than the chart: what is bothering you, what you have been putting off, what you can manage right now. He would rather spend an extra ten minutes explaining than have you agree to something you do not understand.
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Testimonials
What Patients Say
Real stories from real patients who trusted us with their smiles.
Well, let's be honest. I don't know anyone who actually likes having dental work done. But if you are in need I highly recommend Dr Rotaru. He saw me for the first time after my friend and dentist Angel Lopez retired. And it was under an emergency situation. I had cracked a tooth and was in a lot of pain. He saw me on the same day and explained he would be in and out of the room as he worked me in. He is professional but kind. Understanding, respectful and listens. I am very grateful and have found my new Dentist.
Debi R.
Patient
Dr. Ion Rotaru just performed a root canal. He is compassionate, professional, and caring. He explained the entire process as he went along. That brought peace to me. I love he's my new dentist. Thank you Dr Angel Lopez for taking care of your patients until your very last day! You served the Tampa bay community for very long. May you and Betsy enjoy your retirement.
Josie S.
Patient
Dr. Rotaru was very professional and explained the procedure step by step as he was going along. He was attentive in asking if I had any discomfort as the procedure went along. He explained what I would expect and feel after the procedure. Everything went smooth and painless. Thank you so much.
Miguel P.
Patient
The dentist I had been seeing for 20 years retired. Dr Rotaru and staff were excellent and made the transition feel seamless. What a relief! Highly recommend this practice.
Susan B.
Patient
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For most people it is uncomfortable rather than painful. The sore spots are where the gums are already inflamed, and those are also the spots that need the most work. Tell us when something hurts and we slow down or use topical gel. If a cleaning has hurt you before, say so at the start.