Teeth Cleaning & Exam

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Our dentist, Dr. Poulson will recommend how often you'll need routine checkups. Ideally you should see Dr. Poulson once or twice a year. We will examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gingivitis, and other health problems.

Our dental hygienists specialize in teeth cleaning. They begin to clean your teeth by scraping tartar off of your teeth with a small metal tool. Our hygienists will floss your teeth, use a polishing compound, and apply fluoride. Cleanings usually aren't painful, but if requested we can use a numbing agent.

Typically during routine check-ups we like to take digital dental X-rays to really get a picture of what's going on in your mouth. X-rays take only a few minutes to take and allow us to see between the teeth.  Before an X-ray is taken the dentist or technician will have you put on a heavy apron to shield your body from X-rays. Everyone else will either wear a protective apron or step outside the room. You will need to bite down on a small piece of plastic to help align the teeth properly for the imaging machine. The dentist or a technician will repeat this process several times to get all pictures of all your teeth.  Your X-rays will be displayed on a computer monitor so you can see what we see.  With our digital X-rays, the amount of radiation that you are exposed to is drastically minimized over conventional film X-rays. 

Sometimes Dr. Poulson will place a sealant on the chewing surface of your back teeth to help prevent cavities. Sealants keep food and bacteria from getting stuck in the rough chewing surfaces or grooves of your teeth, and they protect your teeth from plaque.  They are one of the best things that can be done to prevent cavities in your back teeth if placed early in life.  

At the end of your check-up Dr. Poulson may recommend a fluoride application. If you are prone to infections, or if infections are particularly dangerous for you, you may need to take antibiotics before or after your dental work.  If you have artificial joints, you may need take antibiotics prior to dental treatments.  Please call Poulson Family Dental for further information or if you have any questions.

If you have active tooth decay or gum disease, Dr. Poulson will talk to you about changing your brushing or flossing habits. In severe cases, he may recommend antibiotics, special mouthwashes, or other further dental treatments. If your teeth and gums appear healthy continue your usual brushing and flossing habits.