Comprehensive Dental Hygiene
Get your routine check-up and a professional cleaning
HYGIENE ROUTINE WELLNESS
Improve Your Oral Hygiene Daily
Begin your dental hygiene routine by brushing and flossing daily. This action removes a significant amount of plaque and bacteria that accumulates on your teeth. However, it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all of it on your own.
Therefore, your dental hygienist can become your partner in achieving good oral health. Additionally, visiting the dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning can prevent tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.
Moreover, our dentist may recommend more frequent visits based on the condition of your teeth and gums.
What to expect at your check-up appointment:
- Visual evaluation of teeth, face, jaw, and neck
- Digital images to check for cavities and other possible problems
- Gum disease evaluation
- Professional teeth cleaning and fluoride treatment
- Screening for oral cancer
We provide a range of services to help with your hygiene and overall health.
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Caring for your Smile
What is included in your typical hygiene appointment.
Visual & Gum Disease Evaluation
During your dental exam, your Vashon dentist thoroughly checks for cracked, broken, or decayed teeth. Additionally, they carefully examine your cheeks, gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth for any abnormal areas.
Furthermore, since gum disease affects nearly 50% of adults in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control), we perform a comprehensive assessment during your exam to check for any signs of periodontal disease. This allows us to detect the early stages of the disease.
Importantly, when caught in the early stages, periodontal disease is easily controlled and may even be reversible.
Digital Imaging
Your dentist may recommend digital X-rays and photographs to help identify problem areas in your mouth. For instance, a full jaw x-ray, called a panoramic x-ray, will give your dentist a comprehensive view of all the structures in your mouth as well as your jaw joint and your sinuses. Additionally, the type of images may vary based on your particular situation.
Furthermore, digital 3D imaging may be appropriate in your situation to determine the exact positioning of your teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends fluoride treatments based on your risk for developing cavities. Our team evaluates your risk for cavities, categorizing it as low, moderate, or high, based on the criteria outlined by the ADA.
Typically, we provide fluoride treatment twice a year to individuals with low risk.
In contrast, we provide moderate-risk individuals with fluoride treatment twice a year and a take-home fluoride product to help reduce their chance of getting another cavity.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Our highly skilled hygienists thoroughly train to perform teeth cleaning. First, our team removes the plaque and tartar from your teeth. Next, they polish your teeth to remove stains and smooth the tooth surface.
Moreover, in addition to hand-held hygiene techniques used by our skilled hygienists, they also utilize ultrasonic devices to deliver targeted treatments to hard-to-reach areas.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer rates are rising. Fortunately, when caught early, oral cancers usually respond well to treatment. However, several risk factors can increase your chances of developing this disease.
For instance, smoking increases your risk of oral cancer by five times. Additionally, excessive alcohol use raises your risk by two and a half times. Moreover, a persistent HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infection can increase your risk by a staggering thirty-two times.
During your dental exam, your dentist will thoroughly examine all the tissue in your mouth, including your tongue, lips, and cheeks, carefully checking for any abnormalities.
LASERS DENTISTRY
Taking your dental care into the modern age.
Dentists have used lasers in dentistry for several years. Moreover, lasers provide additional benefits when dentists combine them with regular cleanings or therapy for gum disease. Specifically, hygienists in our offices perform two procedures that can reduce your risk of gum disease or provide improved healing if gum therapy is necessary.
There are no known side effects to laser decontamination. Most patients do not report any sensation during or after the use of the laser. Occasionally, patients will describe a warm, tingling sensation felt during the procedure. Laser decontamination takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, and the entire mouth is treated at one time.
The laser uses light energy that is absorbed into the pigmented cell walls of the harmful bacteria, vaporizing them. The bacteria in our mouths that do not contribute to inflammation typically lack pigment in their cell walls and thus are not affected in the same way.
Dental professionals now have access to this technology by using a laser specifically designed to treat the gums. Due to the advances in the production of these dental lasers, our office now has the availability to offer laser decontamination. We are happy to treat our patients with an elevated level of care that is not only supported by years of research but also affordable.
We recommend laser decontamination every time you see your hygienist. One of the most important factors in obtaining optimal oral health and control of periodontal disease is your body’s ability to fight off bacteria. We are able to keep them at a constant lower level, giving your immune system the chance to keep your body healthier.
LASER ASSISTED PERIODONTAL THERAPY
Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy uses a small, fiber optic tip to emit thermal, light energy between the teeth and gums. First, the dentist inserts this tip into the space between the tooth and gum. Next, the energy vaporizes the harmful bacteria at or below the gum-line. removes the infection.
There are no known side effects to incorporating the laser into gum therapy. Most patients report no discomfort during or after the use of the laser. Local anesthetic is utilized for most laser assisted periodontal therapies. It is also recommended to apply vitamin E oil following the therapy to provide a lubricant barrier and additionally promote healing.
Dental professionals now have access to this technology by using a laser specifically designed to treat the gums. Due to the advances in the production of these lasers, our office now has the ability to offer laser-assisted periodontal therapy as part of our standard of care. We are happy to treat our patients with an elevated level of care that is not only supported by the research but also affordable.
We recommend laser decontamination therapy be included every time you see your hygienist. One of the most important factors in obtaining optimal oral health is the body’s ability to fight off these harmful bacteria. Incorporating laser bacterial reduction into appointments keeps the bacteria at a lower level.
I really appreciated their compassion.
I have some dental anxiety and they were calm and caring.
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
The Academy of General Dentistry actively advises patients to schedule a dental check-up and cleaning at least twice a year. Your Vashon dentist will personally recommend more frequent visits based on your unique situation and risk of disease. Specifically, conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or pregnancy necessitate more regular cleanings to ensure both your overall health and oral well-being.
Will my insurance cover my check-up appointment?
Most insurances actively cover the procedures that our team completes during your check-up and cleaning appointments. Furthermore, our great team of insurance coordinators will proactively help you navigate through your specific insurance benefits
