At Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics, led by Dr. Ken Collins and Dr. Marnie Collins, preventative dentistry is our favorite kind of dentistry. As much as we love to show off our talent with complicated restorations, we’re even happier when we can keep your natural teeth looking beautiful and healthy your entire life.
Regular dental cleanings and check-ups help us catch any small issues before they become big problems, which means less stress and more smiling for you. If you’re due or overdue for your cleaning, please call us at 509-532-1111 or email us today to schedule your appointment in South Hill or Spokane Valley, Washington.
Why Do You Need Professional Dental Cleanings?
Professional dental cleanings at Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics are an essential part of your healthcare, offering benefits like:
- Preventing gum disease: Regular cleanings help us get rid of plaque and tartar, the main culprits behind gum disease. Spotting and handling these early keeps things from getting worse.
- Cavity prevention: Cleanings also remove the plaque that can wear away your tooth enamel and lead to cavities. We can catch these issues earlier and provide simpler fixes that are easier on you.
- Maintaining good oral health: Some areas are tough to reach, even if you're great at brushing and flossing. We’ll make sure every nook and cranny gets the attention it needs.
- Detecting dental issues: When you come in for a cleaning, we have a good chance to spot any signs of problems, like broken fillings or cracks in your teeth.
- Brightening your smile: We can remove most surface stains during a cleaning, making your teeth look whiter and your smile brighter.
- Managing bad breath: Regular cleanings help fight off the bacteria that cause bad breath. Plus, keeping up with your home hygiene routine will keep your breath fresh and your mouth healthy.
What to Expect During a Teeth Cleaning Appointment
Here’s a simple breakdown of a typical dental cleaning appointment at our office:
- Review your medical history: We'll catch up on any changes to keep your care up to date.
- Examine your teeth and gums: A dental hygienist will check your teeth and gums for any signs of trouble.
- Scale and polish: We’ll clean off any tartar and plaque, then polish your teeth to help remove any surface stains.
- Floss and rinse: After polishing, we’ll floss your teeth and have you rinse to get rid of any leftovers.
- Fluoride treatment: We often apply a fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth until your next visit.
- Final check: The dentist will take a quick look, go over any concerns with you, and discuss any next steps if needed.
This process is all about keeping your teeth healthy and making sure you leave with a fresh smile!
Tips for Your Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
Your daily oral hygiene routine will help your mouth stay healthy between dentist visits. You might already know you need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day, but there are a few other things to be aware of:
- Brush before bed and in the morning: Bacteria can build up while you sleep, causing plaque and bad breath. “Bookending” your sleep with brushing ensures that protective fluoride coats your teeth overnight and that you remove buildup in the morning.
- Limit toothpaste use: You can brush at other times of the day, but don’t use toothpaste more than twice a day. It’s abrasive and can damage teeth if overused.
- Avoid brushing after acids: Don’t brush right after consuming highly acidic foods and beverages such as citrus, soda, wine, and sports drinks.
- Rinse if you can’t brush: If you can’t brush, do an aggressive rinse with water to help clear away food particles and acids.
- Brush gently: Whenever you brush, it’s important to brush gently. Aggressive tooth brushing is a leading cause of receding gums. You’re trying to remove plaque, which is very soft and easy to remove.
- Don’t skip daily flossing: Flossing every day helps remove the plaque your toothbrush can’t reach, including getting between teeth and at the gum line.
- Use mouthwash for extra protection: Fluoride mouthwash, especially before bedtime, can help reduce bacteria, freshen your breath, and help protect against tooth decay.
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
By scheduling regular visits for professional cleanings, you're investing in your total well-being.
Your mouth is the gateway to your body, and when it’s infected with bacteria, you can suffer a host of other problems. An infection in your mouth, such as gum disease or an infected tooth, increases your body’s overall bacterial load, which can manifest itself in everything from recurring acne to susceptibility to seasonal colds.
Gum disease has also been linked to major health problems, from pregnancy complications to heart disease. Getting your regular visits and cleanings can prevent gum disease or allow us to detect and treat it at an early stage.
Meet Your Spokane Valley Dentists
Dr. Ken Collins and Dr. Marnie Collins run Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics in Spokane and bring over 25 years of dental experience to their practice.
Dr. Ken is from Cheney and got his DDS at Creighton University, just like his dad before him. Dr. Marnie, from Tacoma, went to Washington State University for undergrad and also graduated from Creighton. Together, they’ve earned a solid reputation in the community, winning the title of Spokane's Best Dentist for six years running.
They’ve trained extensively at the Las Vegas Institute in everything from basic to advanced dental techniques, covering implants, orthodontics, and even TMJ treatments. At their clinic, you’ll get top-notch care without any fuss from a couple of dentists who know how to keep things light and easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Do I Need Professional Dental Cleanings?
You should schedule a teeth cleaning visit at least once, preferably twice per year. It’s important to get regular cleaning appointments to supplement your home hygiene routine to make sure you're removing plaque and tartar.
At home, you can clean off plaque, which is soft. Plaque that isn’t cleaned off will absorb minerals from your saliva and harden into tartar. Tartar is unsightly and shelters oral bacteria that can infect your gums. And you can’t remove it at home – it’s like a rock!
What Should I Expect During My First Visit?
During your first visit to our office, you'll be welcomed by our friendly staff and asked to fill out some brief paperwork regarding your dental and health history. We'll conduct a comprehensive dental exam, which includes digital X-rays and a detailed assessment of your teeth and gums. This appointment is a great time for you to meet our team, discuss any concerns you might have, and learn about your oral health status.
What Are the Signs I Might Need a Dental Cleaning or Check-Up Sooner?
If you notice increased tooth sensitivity, bleeding or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, or visible tartar buildup, it might be time to schedule a cleaning. These symptoms can signal underlying issues that need professional care to prevent complications.
Will a Dental Cleaning Whiten My Teeth?
A professional dental cleaning can remove surface stains and tartar, which can make your teeth appear whiter and brighter. However, for deeper stains or to achieve a more dramatic whitening effect, you might want to try our professional teeth whitening services.
Is It Time for a Teeth Cleaning?
It’s always much easier (and less expensive) to prevent problems and even catch them when they are just starting out. Drs. Ken and Marnie Collins and our caring hygienists will take very good care of you.
At our Spokane Valley dental office, we offer:
- Comprehensive teeth cleaning
- Periodontal treatment (gum therapy)
- Breath treatment
- All the services you need to maintain your mouth’s health.
If it’s time for your teeth cleaning and check-up, call us at our South Hill office at 509-532-1111, our Spokane Valley office at 509-927-2273, or make an appointment online now.
