Glossary

Dental Terms Explained

Use these short explanations to understand words you may hear during a dental visit. For advice about your own care, ask your dental team.

Dental Cleaning Terms Explained

Definitions of common terms used during hygiene visits, from plaque and tartar to scaling, root planing, and periodontal maintenance.

What Is a Dental Exam

A dental exam is an evaluation of your teeth, gums, and mouth, and it is a different service from a cleaning.