Dental Hygiene Visits and Exams

Good dental hygiene is a combination of education and desirable treatment. Our dental hygienists strive to provide the highest quality of care and enjoy forming quality relationships with their patients.


Infants

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends infants under a year of age be evaluated by a hygienist and dentist. During this visit, we work with parents to address any concerns, stress good nutrition, and discuss ways to care for your child’s new teeth.


Children and Teenagers

Our hygienists continue to build on the foundation of prevention with our younger patients. Homecare is reviewed at every visit along with any developmental concerns, such as orthodontics. Dental x-rays are taken, when necessary, to expose conditions which cannot be detected during a visual exam. We also utilize topical fluoride varnish and sealants that further reduce the risk of tooth decay.


Adults

It’s been said that the “Baby Boomer” generation will be the first generation to keep most of their teeth for a lifetime. Although the adults of this generation have benefitted greatly from the advances of preventative dentistry, there are still challenges they encounter. Some of the dental challenges facing the adult population include periodontal disease, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, oral cancer, sleep/airway disorders and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ.). Here, our hygiene team treats our adult patients based on their individual needs and concerns. They look forward to establishing a relationship with you, the individual, so that their consistent care provides you with the tools you need to keep your mouth healthy.


Seniors

As we age, our overall health may change. These changes include the increased use of medications and chronic common conditions such as heart disease and dry mouth. These factors also affect our oral health and can result in conditions not generally seen in younger patients. Some other challenges facing seniors are lack of transportation, age-related memory loss or cognitive problems, and physical dexterity challenges. Our hygienists work closely with family members, care givers, and skilled care to provide solutions to concerns that may arise.

Dental Hygiene Cleaning

Dental Cleaning

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water, is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next hand instruments are used to manually remove smaller deposits. Once the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished.


Periodontal Therapy

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat periodontal (gum) disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments, in addition to local anesthetic and antibiotics, are used to remove deposits of plaque and tartar from beneath the gums. Planing refers to the smoothing of the root surfaces after the scaling process, which allows the gums to heal against a cleaner and regular root surface.