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During your first visit, we will complete a full examination of your teeth, gums, mouth, and look for signs of disease or other problems. We will also use x-rays to diagnose any problems such as impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts or tumors and decay between the teeth. If we see problems that need to be addressed, we will often take intraoral pictures so that you can see the problem area on a monitor.

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If your teeth and mouth are generally in good health, our hygienist will continue with a thorough cleaning. Using special instruments, she will scrape below the gumline, removing built-up plaque and tartar that can cause gum disease, cavities, bad breath and other problems. Once the plaque and tartar are removed, your teeth will be polished and flossed and she may review proper brushing and flossing techniques with you. Adults will have periodontal probing done which involves gently probing the gums to determine the depth of the pockets which helps diagnose gum disease. Children will be given topical fluoride to help strengthen their teeth and prevent future decay.

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If it has been a long time since your last cleaning, it may be difficult for the hygienist to complete the cleaning in one visit. In such cases, the hygienist and Dr. Peters or Dr Johnson will discuss scaling and root planning options or schedule you more time for a difficult cleaning. We will discuss any questions you have and determine a treatment plan for the future. We recommend teeth cleaning every four to six months for most patients.