Dental Hygiene

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

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 and stress good nutrition along with how to care for your child’s new teeth.

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.

It’s been said that “Baby Boomers” will be the first generation where most people will keep their natural teeth over a lifetime!

Although our adult patients have benefitted from advancements in preventive technology, there are still challenges they may encounter. Some of the dental challenges facing the adult population include dry mouth as a result of medications, periodontal disease, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Here at Penns Commons 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.

As we age, our overall health may change. These changes include the increased use of medications and common chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. 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 disabilities including dexterity.

Our hygienists work closely with family members, caregivers, and skilled care to provide solutions to concerns as they arise.

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 tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished.

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth roots after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.