Lotus Dental Group · Services
Dental Cleanings & Exams in San Jose
Quick answer: A dental cleaning and exam at Lotus Dental Group in Willow Glen, San Jose takes about 60 minutes: our hygienist removes plaque and tartar and polishes your teeth, then Dr. Prathima Chawla, DMD, checks your teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues. Most patients need one every six months, and most PPO plans cover it fully.
Dental Cleanings & Exams in San Jose, CA – Preventive Care in Willow Glen
A professional dental cleaning and exam is the simplest way to keep your teeth and gums healthy — and to catch small problems before they become painful or expensive. At Lotus Dental Group in Willow Glen, San Jose, Dr. Prathima Chawla, DMD, and our hygiene team provide thorough, gentle cleanings and checkups for adults, teens and children age four and up, with most major PPO plans accepted.
What Happens at a Dental Cleaning and Exam?
A regular checkup at our office takes about 60 minutes and has two parts: a professional cleaning by our hygiene team and an oral exam by the doctor. First visits run a little longer — typically 60 to 90 minutes — because we also review your medical history and take any X-rays we need to see what's happening below the gumline.
Your Cleaning, Step by Step
Every cleaning follows the same careful sequence, so nothing is missed and you always know what comes next.
- Plaque and tartar removal: hardened buildup is removed from above and just below the gumline, where brushing and flossing can't reach.
- Polishing: surface stains are polished away so teeth feel smooth and stay cleaner for longer.
- Flossing and gum check: we floss between every tooth and measure gum health to spot early gum disease.
- Home-care advice: simple, personal tips on brushing, flossing and products that suit your teeth.
What the Doctor Checks During Your Exam
During the exam, Dr. Chawla looks well beyond cavities. She checks the health of your whole mouth so problems are found while they're still small and easy to treat.
- Teeth for decay, cracks and worn areas
- Gums for bleeding, recession and pocket depth
- Existing fillings, crowns and restorations for wear or chipping
- Cheeks, tongue and soft tissues, including an oral cancer screening
- Your bite and jaw, including signs of grinding or clenching
- Digital X-rays when needed — lower radiation and instant images we review with you
How Often Should You Get a Dental Cleaning?
Most patients do best with a cleaning and exam every six months. If you have signs of gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, or are pregnant or managing diabetes, we may recommend visits every three to four months. If your gums are already bleeding or receding, see our gum disease treatment options.
Cleanings for the Whole Family, in One Willow Glen Office
Parents, grandparents and kids can all be seen at the same practice — often on the same day. We see children for regular checkups from age four, with gentle care designed to build good habits early. Learn more about children's dentistry at Lotus Dental Group.
Insurance and Savings for Preventive Care
Most dental PPO plans cover preventive cleanings and exams at or near 100%, often twice a year. We accept and bill most major PPOs, including Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna and Aetna. No insurance? Our in-office dental savings plan includes an annual exam, check-up X-rays and a regular cleaning.
Book Your Cleaning and Exam
New and returning patients are welcome. Call (669) 222-8315 or book online — our office is at 1660 Willow St #7, San Jose, CA 95125.
FAQ
We love welcoming new patients and appreciate referrals from our valued patients!
Our friendly and experienced front office team is here to make your visit comfortable. At Lotus Dental Group, we take pride in providing quality restorative and cosmetic dental care to our neighbors in San Jose, CA.
Our Blogs
September 14, 2026
Bleeding or Receding Gums? What Gum Disease Treatment Actually Looks Like
Quick answer: Bleeding gums are not normal — they are usually the first sign of gum disease, and the earliest stage (gingivitis) is fully reversible with the right cleaning and home care. Left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which needs a deeper professional cleaning and ongoing maintenance to control. At Lotus Dental Group, gum disease is diagnosed and treated in the same office as the rest of your care — no referral to a separate periodontist required.
Dr. Prathima Chawla and her team have treated gum disease in Willow Glen and San Jose for more than 25 years, from the first sign of bleeding gums through ongoing periodontal maintenance.
Dr. Prathima Chawla and her team have treated gum disease in Willow Glen and San Jose for more than 25 years, from the first sign of bleeding gums through ongoing periodontal maintenance.
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August 21, 2026
One Office, Every Treatment: Why San Jose Families Are Simplifying Their Dental Care
Quick answer: Most dental problems don't stay in one lane. A cleaning turns up a cavity, a cavity needs a crown, a missing tooth needs an implant consult — and at a single-service practice, each of those is a referral to a different office, a different intake form, and a new waiting room. A comprehensive dental practice handles general, cosmetic, restorative, implant, and emergency care under one roof, with one team that already has your history.
Lotus Dental Group has practiced this way in Willow Glen for more than 25 years. Dr. Prathima Chawla and her team see the whole picture of a patient's dental health — not just the single procedure in front of them — because they are usually the ones who will be treating whatever comes next, too.
Lotus Dental Group has practiced this way in Willow Glen for more than 25 years. Dr. Prathima Chawla and her team see the whole picture of a patient's dental health — not just the single procedure in front of them — because they are usually the ones who will be treating whatever comes next, too.
Read More
July 30, 2026
Back-to-School Dental Visits in San Jose: Get the Whole Family In Before the First Bell
Quick answer: Book back-to-school dental checkups two to four weeks before classes begin. San José Unified starts Thursday, August 6, 2026, so late July through the first week of August is the right window. A back-to-school visit covers a cleaning, an exam, X-rays if they are due, and fluoride or sealants when needed — catching small problems before they turn into pain, emergency visits, and missed school days.
Every August, the same thing happens at dental offices across San Jose: the phones light up during the first week of school, and by then the convenient after-school appointment slots are gone. Families who book in late July get the times they actually want.
At Lotus Dental Group in Willow Glen, Dr. Prathima Chawla and her team have been getting San Jose families ready for the school year for more than 25 years — and because the practice handles every area of dentistry under one roof, most families can be seen together in a single trip.
Every August, the same thing happens at dental offices across San Jose: the phones light up during the first week of school, and by then the convenient after-school appointment slots are gone. Families who book in late July get the times they actually want.
At Lotus Dental Group in Willow Glen, Dr. Prathima Chawla and her team have been getting San Jose families ready for the school year for more than 25 years — and because the practice handles every area of dentistry under one roof, most families can be seen together in a single trip.
Read More