Preventative Care

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires more than just brushing every day. It is a team effort between you, your dentist, and your hygienist. We suggest that you visit us every six months if you have healthy gums.

At Woodland Dental, we love kids! It’s so important for your child to see a dentist regularly to help them maintain healthy teeth as they grow. Contact us to ask about free exams for children 3 and under.

Our dental hygiene services include:

1- A thorough assessment of your oral health—The mouth is a window into the health of the body. Diseases that affect the entire body (such as diabetes) may first be noticed in the mouth.

2- Ultrasonic stain and calculus removal—Daily brushing and flossing will help keep calculus (hardened plaque) formation to a minimum, but it won’t completely prevent it. Professional dental cleaning at least twice a year is necessary to remove calculus from places your toothbrush and floss may have missed.

3- Digital low radiation X-rays—Dental X-rays show Dr. Hansen underlying bone, the roots of the teeth or erupted teeth, and contact areas where teeth touch one another and cannot be seen any other way.

4- Oral cancer screening—Early detection of oral cancer saves lives.

5- Periodontal charting—We measure supporting bone and gums around the teeth to catch early signs of periodontal disease.

6- Oral hygiene instructions—Part of our job is to make sure you are doing your job to maintain a healthy mouth. If we see anything that we can help with, we will give you instructions on how stay cavity-free.

7- Sealants—One of the most common places for tooth decay is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. A sealant is a plastic material that is applied to that chewing surface and acts as a barrier, protecting enamel by sealing out plaque and food.

8- Thorough exam by the dentist—Dr. Hansen will examine X-rays and your mouth and teeth and give recommendations for any condition that he may find.

9- Fluoride—A mineral that naturally occurs in all water sources. During childhood, when teeth still are forming, fluoride works by making tooth enamel more resistant to the acid that causes tooth decay. You will be offered fluoride at the end of your cleaning appointment. We call fluoride “vitamins for the teeth.”

10- Referrals–From time to time a patient will need to see a specialist for their circumstance. We will provide you with the names of those we would trust to provide the care that you need.