Teeth Cleaning It is probably no surprise that the American Dental Association says that you should brush and floss daily. But, in addition to the home dental care you provide for yourself, you should also come into our office at least every six months for routine dental cleaning. The main components of dental cleanings include scaling, brushing, flossing, fluoride treatment, and general examinations. These routine visits are critical to your dental health because our professionals at Leavenworth Family Dental have the specialized training and equipment access to ensure that you maintain great oral hygiene. ScalingScaling is the first part of your cleaning appointment. Our dentist will use a tool called a scaler, which has a pointed end, to scrape plaque and tartar from your teeth. During this process, you may hear the scraping noise along your teeth, but this is normal, and your teeth will not be damaged through scaling. Scalers are used to remove plaque from the tooth as well as along the gum line. Brushing and FlossingOnce we have scaled your teeth, we can then brush and floss them. We use a special type of electric toothbrush that is designed to brush each tooth individually. The toothpaste used has the same smell and flavor as typical toothpaste that you would use at home, though it does have a gritty texture that helps to polish your teeth. You will usually have a choice of flavors, such as mint, or toothpaste without any flavor or smell. After brushing, we then use a traditional dental floss to clean in between each of your teeth. FluorideFluoride treatment is more common among our pediatric patients, but it can be given to our adult patients as well. Fluoride is a mineral that is found in water and helps to strengthen your teeth, preventing decay and injury. At times, people do not receive as much fluoride in their diet as they should, therefore their teeth are more susceptible to damage and decay. There are a few different types of fluoride treatment, such as topical and systemic. Topical fluoride is a substance applied directly to the teeth. Like with our toothpaste, you usually have a choice of fluoride flavor. This comes in many forms, such as a varnish that is brushed onto the teeth or a gel that is applied in a tray that your teeth sit in for a minute or two. Systemic fluoride, on the other hand, is a medication or supplement prescribed by our dentist. ExamTo finalize your appointment, our dentist will provide an examination of your teeth and oral cavity. This lets us check for any signs of cavities or gum disease. In addition, you will also receive an oral cancer screening at this time. Our dentist checks for any discoloration, swelling, growths, and other symptoms throughout your mouth. As well as a basic visual check of your mouth, we may also get dental x-rays at the end of your appointment. This typically occurs once a year, though the frequency can change based on dental health history or if there are any new concerns. To schedule your routine cleaning and dental exam today, call Leavenworth Family Dental at 913-682-1550. |
| Hours Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm 8:00am - 4:30pm 7:30am - 3:30pm 7:30am - 3:30pm 7:30am - 1:00pm |
