Cleanings & Checkups
Gentle hygiene visits and digital exams that keep small problems small.
The easiest dental problem to fix is the one you prevent. A regular cleaning and checkup at Smile360 Chicago keeps your teeth and gums healthy, catches small issues before they become painful (and expensive) ones, and leaves your smile feeling fresh. Dr. Mustafa Salam and our team make each visit gentle, thorough, and refreshingly judgment-free — even if it's been a while. It's the foundation of a healthy smile, right on Devon Avenue, on the North Side of Chicago.
In short
- A thorough cleaning, exam, and advice tailored to you
- Most people come in every six months
- Catches small problems before they get expensive
- Covered in full by most insurance plans
What's included in your visit
A cleaning and checkup with us is more than a quick polish. Every visit includes:
- A gentle, thorough cleaning — removing the plaque and tartar that brushing can't, then polishing for a smooth, fresh finish
- A complete exam — checking every tooth for decay, wear, and old fillings, and assessing your gum health
- Low-dose digital X-rays — when they're needed, to spot problems hiding between and below the teeth
- An oral cancer screening — a quick, painless check that can catch something serious early
- A personalized hygiene plan — simple, practical tips tailored to your teeth and habits
We'll always explain what we see in plain language, so you leave knowing exactly where your smile stands.
Tip
Two minutes of brushing twice a day plus one floss does most of the work between visits. A checkup every six months catches what brushing can’t.
How often should you come in?
For most people, twice a year — about every six months — is the sweet spot for keeping problems small and your smile bright. If you're prone to gum issues or cavities, we may suggest coming a little more often. Not sure when your last visit was? That's okay — just book, and we'll pick up right where you are.
Gentle care, no judgment
If it's been a year — or several — since your last cleaning, you're far from alone, and you'll never get a lecture from us. We meet you where you are, go at your pace, and keep the whole visit calm and comfortable. Many of our patients used to dread the dentist; here, a checkup is something you can actually feel good about.
Covered by most insurance
Preventive care is the one thing insurance loves to pay for — most dental plans cover routine cleanings, exams, and X-rays at 100%, so your twice-yearly visits often cost nothing out of pocket. Don't have insurance? Our new-patient exam and cleaning is straightforward and affordable, with clear pricing and no surprises. We'll verify your benefits before your visit so you always know what to expect.
Why regular visits matter
Cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer often cause no pain in their early stages — which is exactly why they're so easy to miss on your own. Regular checkups let us catch these things when they're small and simple to treat, protecting both your health and your wallet. A little prevention now saves a lot later.
“The simplest way to avoid big dental bills is the least glamorous one: come in twice a year.”
Care for the whole family
As a family practice, Dr. Salam sees parents and kids alike — so your whole household can keep up with checkups in one place, often on the same day. It's the simplest way to build healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Due for a cleaning — or overdue? Book your visit at Smile360 Chicago on the North Side of Chicago. New patients are always welcome.
What's included
- Digital X-rays
- Oral cancer screening
- Personalized hygiene plan
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? We’re happy to help — give us a call.
Almost always — most dental plans cover routine cleanings, exams, and X-rays at 100%, so your twice-yearly visits often cost nothing out of pocket. If you don't have insurance, our exam and cleaning is affordable with clear, upfront pricing, and we'll verify your benefits before your visit.
Not at all — and you won't get a lecture. It's more common than you'd think. We'll do a gentle, thorough catch-up, show you exactly where things stand, and map out an easy plan to get your smile healthy again.
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar above the gumline and is preventive. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes below the gumline to treat gum disease and help your gums heal. We'll only recommend a deep cleaning if your gums actually need it — and we'll explain why.
Yes — modern digital X-rays use a very low dose of radiation, and they let us see problems hiding between and below the teeth. Most patients need them about once a year, though it depends on your history. We only take them when they'll actually help.
A routine cleaning shouldn't hurt — you'll feel some scraping and pressure as we remove buildup, but not sharp pain. If your gums are sensitive or inflamed, let us know and we'll take extra care. (A deeper cleaning for gum disease is done with the area numbed, so it's comfortable too.)
A gentle, thorough cleaning and polish, a full exam for cavities and gum health, low-dose digital X-rays when needed, an oral cancer screening, and a personalized hygiene plan. We'll explain everything we find in plain language, so you always know where your smile stands.
For most people, every six months — twice a year. That rhythm keeps plaque and tartar in check and lets us catch small problems early. If you're prone to gum issues or cavities, we may recommend coming a bit more often; we'll tailor it to you.
From our blog
How Often Should You Really Go to the Dentist?
Twice a year is the rule of thumb — but the right schedule depends on you. Here’s how to know how often you should visit the dentist, and why those checkups save you money and pain.
Dental Anxiety? 7 Ways We Make Visits Stress-Free
If the dentist makes you nervous, you’re far from alone — and you don’t have to white-knuckle it. Here are seven ways we help anxious patients feel calm and in control.