Dental Cleaning in Chattanooga, TN | Peterson Family Dentistry

If you are searching for a dental cleaning in Chattanooga, you have options on every corner of the city. What you actually want is a dentist who will tell you the truth about your teeth, run on time, and not push you into work you do not need. That is what Peterson Family Dentistry has been doing on Jenkins Rd for years. Same office, same team, same straight talk.

Our Chattanooga location at 3328 Jenkins Rd is just south of Hamilton Place Mall, ten to fifteen minutes from downtown depending on traffic, and easy to reach off I-75 from anywhere on the east side of the city. Free parking. We are in-network with most major PPO plans, and if you do not have insurance, we have flat-fee new-patient packages so the price is set before you sit down.

Dental Cleaning at Peterson Family Dentistry on Jenkins Rd

A routine dental cleaning at our Chattanooga office takes about an hour from check-in to checkout. You are seen by a hygienist who will look at your gums, take a quick set of digital X-rays if it has been a year, and remove the plaque and tartar that brushing cannot reach. Dr. David Peterson does the exam himself at the end of every visit. He is not in a back office somewhere — if you came in for a cleaning, he is the one telling you what he sees.

If your gums are healthy, you walk out with polished teeth and a six-month recall. If they are not, we tell you what is going on, what it costs to fix, and what happens if you wait. No upselling. Most of our Chattanooga patients have been with us five years or longer, which only happens when people feel like they are getting straight answers.

What Happens During a Cleaning at Our Chattanooga Office

Step 1: Exam and digital X-rays

If you are due for X-rays, we take a small bitewing series with low-radiation digital sensors. The hygienist or Dr. Peterson then walks the perimeter of every tooth, checking the gums, looking for new decay, and noting anything to watch.

Step 2: Scaling and tartar removal

Plaque you missed at home hardens into tartar within about 24 hours, and tartar cannot be brushed off — it has to be scaled. We use both ultrasonic instruments and hand scalers to clear the tooth surfaces and the area just below the gumline. If you have not had a cleaning in a long time, this step takes a little longer, and you might need a second visit to finish.

Step 3: Polishing and fluoride

After the surface is clean, we polish off any remaining stain with a gentle paste, then floss, then offer a fluoride application if your enamel could use the support. Fluoride is optional and we will tell you whether you actually need it instead of pushing it on everyone.

Step 4: Personalized home-care plan

Before you leave, the hygienist will show you the specific spots where you are missing on your home care, and the team will book your next recall. If you are battling sensitivity, dry mouth, or grinding, we send you home with a plan, not a brochure.

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Why Chattanooga Patients Choose Dr. David Peterson

Loma Linda-trained, 21 years in private practice

Dr. Peterson earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in California and has spent 21 years in private practice. Approximately 25,000 patients have been through his chair. That kind of volume matters because it means almost nothing he sees in your mouth is the first time he has seen it.

Recognized as a 2025 BusinessRate Top Dentist in Chattanooga

In 2025 BusinessRate named Dr. Peterson a Top Dentist in Chattanooga. Awards do not fix teeth, but they are useful as a sanity check when you are deciding who to trust with your mouth.

90–95% patient retention year over year

About nine out of ten of our Chattanooga patients have been with us five years or longer. Patient retention is one of the few honest signals you can find for a dental practice — patients leave when they are not getting good care, and they stay when they are. Ours stay.

Cost, Insurance, and New Patient Specials

Most patients pay through their PPO insurance and we file the claim for you. We are in-network with the major plans. If you do not have insurance, two flat-rate packages keep the cost predictable:

New Patient Exam + X-rays — $125. A comprehensive exam with Dr. Peterson and a full set of digital X-rays. New patients only, cannot be combined with insurance.

New Patient Exam + X-rays + Healthy Mouth Cleaning — $199. Adds a routine cleaning, available when there is no periodontal disease present. New patients only.

If a deeper cleaning is required (scaling and root planing for gum disease), we quote that separately and tell you exactly what it costs before you commit. CareCredit is also available if you would rather spread payments out.

Getting to Our Jenkins Rd Office from Chattanooga Neighborhoods

Most of our Chattanooga patients reach us in under fifteen minutes:

From downtown Chattanooga, take I-75 South to Exit 5 (Shallowford Rd / Hamilton Place), turn right onto Shallowford, then left on Jenkins Rd. We are on the right just past Hamilton Place Mall. About 10 minutes.

From the North Shore, the fastest route is Veterans Bridge to Riverside Pkwy, then I-75 South to Exit 5. About 15 minutes outside of rush hour.

From Highland Park or Brainerd, take Brainerd Rd east. The road becomes Lee Hwy near East Brainerd; turn south on Jenkins. About 10 minutes.

From Lookout Mountain or St. Elmo, the easiest route is I-24 East to I-75 North, exit at Shallowford Rd. About 20 minutes depending on traffic on the I-24/I-75 split.

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Our Chattanooga Dental Services Include:

FAQs

How often should I get a dental cleaning at your Chattanooga office?

A: For most adults, every six months. The American Dental Association recommendation is twice a year, and that is what we follow for healthy mouths. If you have gum disease, diabetes, or you are a heavy plaque-builder, Dr. Peterson may put you on a three- or four-month recall instead. We will tell you which schedule fits your mouth at the end of your first cleaning.

Does Peterson Family Dentistry take my insurance?

A: We are in-network with most major PPO plans, including the ones most Hamilton County employers offer. Bring your insurance card to the first visit. Our front-office team will verify your benefits and tell you your out-of-pocket share before any work starts. No surprise bills.

What does a dental cleaning cost without insurance?

A: For new patients without insurance, the $125 package covers the exam and X-rays. The $199 package adds a healthy-mouth cleaning. If you have not been to a dentist in a long time and your gums need a scaling-and-root-planing instead of a routine cleaning, we will quote that separately and tell you the price before we book the appointment.

Can my child get their first cleaning at your Chattanooga office?

A: Yes. Dr. Peterson recommends a first dental visit by age one, or whenever the first tooth comes in. The first appointment is short, low-pressure, and mostly about getting your child used to the chair, the lights, and our team. We see kids of all ages.

Do you offer same-day cleanings if my regular dentist cancels?

A: Sometimes. We hold open slots in the Chattanooga schedule for emergency exams and last-minute requests. Call 423-206-9660 first thing in the morning and we will tell you what we can offer for that day. Friday mornings tend to be the easiest day to fit you in.

Will you do a deep cleaning the same day if I need one?

A: Usually no. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) takes longer and is normally split into two visits, one side of the mouth at a time, often with local anesthetic. If we find gum disease at your initial exam, we will book the deep cleaning visits separately and quote you the cost before you commit.

Where exactly is your Chattanooga office and is parking easy?

A: We are at 3328 Jenkins Rd Ste 100, Chattanooga, TN 37421, just south of Hamilton Place Mall and a half mile east of I-75. Free on-site parking right at the door. Most patients walk in faster than they would at a downtown practice with parking-deck logistics.

Schedule Your Cleaning at Our Chattanooga Office

Call 423-206-9660 to book a cleaning at our Jenkins Rd office, or use the online booking form. New patients should ask about the $125 or $199 packages when they call. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.