La Crosse
3143 State Road Suite 100, La Crosse, WI 54601
Why choose us
Benefits of Dental Cleaning
Fresher, Cleaner Smile
Our hygienists remove the plaque and tartar buildup that brushing and flossing at home can miss.
Healthier Gums
Regular cleanings help us spot early signs of gum disease and care for your gums before small problems grow.
Comfort Built In
The Ascent Experience brings warm towelettes, blankets, support pillows, headphones and essential oils to your visit.
No Judgment, Ever
Whether it has been six months or many years, we simply meet you where you are and help you move forward.
Care for Everyone
Families can see us for cleanings at our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices, with children welcome from age 2.
It has been a while since your last cleaning. Maybe life got busy, a move interrupted your routine, or your gums have started to bleed a little when you brush. That is one of the most common reasons people call our offices in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua, and it is exactly where a professional dental cleaning helps. Our hygienists across the Coulee Region see patients of every age, children from age 2 through retirees, and we never judge how long it has been.
A dental cleaning is a visit with one of our dental hygienists to remove the plaque and hardened tartar that brushing and flossing at home can't fully reach. Tartar tends to build up along the gumline and between teeth. Once it forms, a toothbrush won't remove it, but a hygienist can. We usually pair the cleaning with a dental exam so a dentist can look over your teeth and gums during the same visit.
Cleanings are part of our broader preventive dentistry, so they help nearly everyone. A busy parent might bring a preschooler for a first visit and book their own cleaning the same day. A retiree in Vernon County might want one familiar office for routine care close to home. Because families see the same doctors for cleanings, crowns, gum care and children's dentistry, the person who knows your history is the person checking on you each time.
You don't need a referral or any special preparation to schedule a cleaning. If it has been several years, tell us when you call. That helps us plan the right amount of time, and it is never a problem. When needed, we use digital X-rays to see what is happening below the surface, and many visits also include an oral cancer screening.
Comfort matters to us, especially for anyone who feels uneasy in the chair. We call our approach The Ascent Experience: advanced care, genuine comfort, and a better experience from start to finish. In practice, that means a warm towelette, a blanket, a support pillow, headphones and essential oils, along with clear explanations as we go. For children who feel anxious, nitrous oxide sedation is available.
What if my hygienist finds signs of gum disease?
We will explain what we see and walk you through your options. A routine cleaning is designed for healthy gums. When tartar has collected below the gumline and the gums have started to pull away from the teeth, a deeper approach may be a better fit.
In those cases, we may recommend scaling and root planing, a more thorough cleaning that treats the root surfaces beneath the gums. Patients who have been treated for gum disease often move on to periodontal maintenance, a recurring cleaning schedule built around keeping the gums stable. Gum disease treatment is part of what we provide in-house, so you can stay with the team you already know. If the exam turns up a cavity, we can also schedule a filling.
What should I do after a dental cleaning?
Most people go straight back to work, school or the rest of their day. Your teeth may feel unusually smooth, and some people notice mild gum tenderness for a short while, especially when it has been a long time between visits. Your hygienist will let you know if anything specific applies to you.
The results last longest when the habits at home continue between visits. Talk with your hygienist about:
- How to brush and floss around any areas where tartar tends to build up
- Whether fluoride treatment or dental sealants make sense for you or your child
- A night mouth guard, if the exam shows signs of grinding
- When to book your next cleaning, based on your gum health
Booking your next visit before you leave makes it easier to stay on track. If something comes up between appointments, call the office closest to you.
How can I pay for a dental cleaning?
We work with many dental insurance plans. Please call your office to confirm your coverage before your visit. We also welcome self-pay patients.
If you don't have insurance, our Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program, are built for you. The Classic, Deluxe and Kids plans include cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride, plus a discount on treatment. Membership plans can't be combined with insurance. For care beyond a routine cleaning, we offer third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance, subject to qualification and approval. Our team is glad to explain how each option works so you can decide what fits.
Whether you're due for a routine visit or it has simply been too long, we would be glad to see you. Call the Rivertown Dental office nearest you in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua to schedule your cleaning. Dentistry, Done Differently.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Check In, Get Comfortable
We review your health history, answer your questions and take digital X-rays when they are due.
- 2
Gentle, Thorough Cleaning
Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar, polishes your teeth and flosses, then your dentist completes your exam.
- 3
Your Plan Forward
We explain what we found in plain language, share home-care tips and schedule your next visit.
Questions
Dental Cleaning FAQs
Does dental insurance cover a dental cleaning at Rivertown Dental?
We work with many dental insurance plans across our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices, so please call the office closest to you to confirm your coverage. If you don't have insurance, our Rivertown Membership Plans (the VIP Program) include cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride, plus a discount on treatment, with Classic, Deluxe and Kids options. Membership plans can't be combined with insurance, and we also offer financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance for those who qualify.
Will my dental cleaning be uncomfortable?
Most patients find a cleaning very manageable, and our team will check in with you and explain each step as we go. The Ascent Experience: advanced care, genuine comfort, and a better experience from start to finish. That means extras like a warm towelette, a blanket, a support pillow, headphones and essential oils, with no judgment about how long it has been since your last visit.
How long does a dental cleaning appointment take?
The length of your visit depends on your needs, including whether you're due for an exam or digital X-rays at the same appointment. When you call any of our Coulee Region offices, we're happy to let you know what to expect so you can plan your day.
Who should get a professional dental cleaning?
Professional cleanings are part of preventive care for patients of all ages, and we see children starting at age 2. Families across La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua can schedule cleanings with our dental hygienists, often alongside a dental exam, fluoride treatment or oral cancer screening. Our hygienist will recommend a cleaning schedule that fits your mouth and your health.
What if I need more than a regular cleaning?
If we find signs of gum disease, we may recommend scaling and root planing, a deeper cleaning that reaches below the gumline. Patients who have been treated for gum disease may then move to periodontal maintenance visits instead of standard cleanings. We'll explain what we see and talk through your options before any treatment begins.