Dental Cleanings Seattle, WA
Dental cleanings are performed by one of our trained dental hygienists. For optimum dental health, the American Dental Association recommends a professional dental cleaning and exam at least twice a year. Cavities, failing dental work, and gum disease can be caught early and are better managed when patients stay on-track with their routine bi-annual appointments.
What to Expect at your Appointment
The dental hygienist will begin by reviewing your medical history and updating your x-rays if indicated. Depending on your gum health, she may measure your gum pocket depth to track your periodontal condition. Finally, she will remove plaque from your teeth, apply a fluoride treatment if indicated, and provide instructions on how to maintain your oral health at home. During this appointment, one of our doctors will review your x-rays, perform a comprehensive exam of your teeth and gums, provide treatment recommendations and answer any questions you may have.Dental Technology We Use
In order to give your teeth the best cleaning that we can, we have a few nifty pieces of technology that help us to give you a great clean faster. Below are just a few of the more interesting tools that we use to give your smile the boost it needs.
Ultrasonic Scaler
You probably remember the ultrasonic scaler even if you don’t know exactly what it is. It’s the tool that emits a high-pitched frequency as we use it on your teeth, so next time you hear that high-pitched whistle, you will know the tool we are using. The ultrasonic scaler vibrates at a very high frequency, which allows it to work with a liquid solution to break up bacteria that builds up in hard scales on your teeth. This hard-to-remove bacteria is known as tartar and is nearly impossible to remove without the help of a trained professional.
Intraoral Camera
How many times has a dental or medical professional been explaining an issue to you that would have been much easier to understand if only you could see it with your eyes? It’s one thing to have something explained in detail to you, it’s another to realize exactly what is being talked about – that’s why we have adopted the intraoral camera. Using this device, we can show you a live video feed of issues in your mouth as we are explaining them to you. When you get to see what we are talking about as we talk about it, you are much more likely to retain that important information and do something about it.
Suction Unit
When we are performing cleanings, we will be using a lot of water to rinse your mouth as we go. The suction unit helps to pull away excess water and debris that we clean off of your teeth. While this is hardly the latest in dental technology, it is definitely one of the most used devices in our office and it’s not something you will usually find anywhere other than a dental professional’s practice.
Seattle Dentist
For more information on dental cleanings and how they benefit you, contact our Seattle, WA office at: (206) 204-9623.