Dental Hygiene Services
Latest Techniques
Modern Technology
Dedicated to your needs
Gentle Cleanings
We understand that everyone prefers a different type of cleaning. At our office we strive to meet your needs and are sensitive to your preferences. There are many ways we can accommodate and modify our techniques to make your cleanings as comfortable as possible for you and your family. We encourage our patients to let us know what is comfortable and pleasant for them. A thorough but gentle and enjoyable cleaning is top priority.
We offer various forms of numbing to increase your comfort during cleaning appointments if needed. We utilize a numbing gel that is applied below the gumline- this is not an injection! It typically lasts 20 minutes and can be applied to various areas at any time as needed. Freezing with dental anesthetic is also available to you.
What Can You Expect During Your Cleaning Appointment?
Our Hygienists always begin with a detailed medical history to ensure the safe delivery of oral care. Following a thorough exam and assessment of your head, neck and mouth, they take a detailed evaluation of the health of your teeth and gums. Together we develop treatment plan to care for your oral health.
What Can My Dental Hygienist Do?
- Plaque and tartar removal
- Polishing to remove stains
- Treatment and prevention of oral diseases
- Oral Cancer Screenings
- Expose radiographs to aid in the assessment of hard tissues
- Whitening procedures
- Oral hygiene education
- Laser treatments
- And more!
Oral Hygiene Education
Our hygienists work hard to educate and inform you about oral health and disease, oral hygiene I instructions, self-oral cancer screening techniques, caring for your children’s teeth or as a caregiver.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are two forms of very common gum disease, often you don’t realize you have oral disease until your Dentist or Dental Hygienist inform you. Regular cleanings and exams with your hygienist and dentist are important in preventing and treating these problems. Signs and symptoms can range from very mild, undetectable symptoms to advanced infections or discomfort.
Children and adults can develop these oral diseases! Gingivitis is inflammation that affects the gums, completely reversable with the proper treatment and home care. If gingivitis is left untreated, this infection can spread to the ligaments, and supporting bone structures around the teeth. At your appointment with us we will educate you on the health status of your mouth and the best ways you can take care of your teeth and gums to keep them healthy for a lifetime.
We customize our recommendations based on you, experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of oral prevention, we can review the ideal toothbrush, paste, rinse etc. for you!
Fluoride
Dental decay is one of the most common chronic diseases today, although we try our very best to prevent decay in all ages. One of the best proven methods to reduce decay, strengthen the tooth structure and decrease sensitivity is with fluoride treatments. At our office, we use a fluoride varnish, this is a thin layer of fluoride that is applied to the teeth. The benefit of a fluoride varnish is there is no risk of ingestion and has a higher uptake to the enamel increasing the mineralization process.
Fluoride was originally discovered in the early 1900’s by Dr. Fredrick McKay and has since significantly reduced decay rates in children and adult’s teeth. Although concerns about fluoride exist, a safe level is appropriate for most people. Professional fluoride may or may not be indicated for you depending on your lifestyle and diet, past dental history and even your overall health. Discuss any questions with us to learn if fluoride treatments are right for you.
If you wish to avoid fluoride, there are several options available to you to help protect and re-mineralize enamel that may be at risk for decay. Your hygienist can explain these options to you!
Fluoride can come from other sources, our drinking water, certain foods, toothpastes, mouthwashes. Discuss fluoride use with one of our Dental Hygienists.
Desensitizing Varnishes
There are several reasons for teeth to become sensitive. One of the most common causes is exposed root surfaces due to receding gums or when dentin (inner tooth surface below enamel) becomes exposed. Tubules within the structure of the tooth send thermal signals to the nerve of the tooth, stimulating that annoying and uncomfortable twinge.
Desensitizing varnishes help block these tubules and provide fluoride to the tooth in order to help strengthen and decrease sensitivity.
This varnish can also be applied to areas susceptible to decay to help protect and strengthen.
Laser Therapy
A soft tissue laser is a non-invasive and gentle way to improve outcomes with dental treatment when needed. It has many uses within the office including gum disease treatments. During a cleaning, soft and hard deposits are removed from above and below the gumline. If in a state of active gum disease, sometimes the tissues need additional support to help increase healing and resolve the gum disease. A laser can gently and non invasively decontaminate the periodontal pocket and along the gum line to kill microscopic bacteria. This allows to better healing times and increased outcomes in the treatment of disease.
We can also treat cold sores, mouth ulcerations, and canker sores with the laser! If caught in the early stages, treating a cold sore with the laser can completely prevent the cold sore from erupting, or can significantly reduce the duration and discomfort of the sore.
Cold Sore & Canker Sore Treatments
Cold sores and canker sores can often be quite uncomfortable, sometimes quite painful. We are able to treat these lesions with a soft tissue laser, it is a non-invasive treatment that is completed within minutes. Benefits of the treatments include: temporary numbing of the area providing much needed relief, increased healing time, and decrease in pain. If caught in the very early stages- the use of laser treatment can prevent a cold sore from erupting. Studies show that once a cold sore is treated- it will not return to the same site again.
