A carefully prepared personal, medical and dental history form is given to you on your first visit. This form allows me to appraise clients general health and plays an important factor in providing safe periodontal treatment. From this information I can formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis and a dental hygiene treatment plan.

Clients who have heart valve problems or joint replacements may require antibiotic pre-medication before treatment begins. A consultation with physicians will determine if antibiotic pre-medication is necessary.

A thorough extra and intraoral examination will be followed by measuring "pockets" between teeth and the gum. Every client receives a visual oral cancer examination at every appointment. I will identify any deviations from normal discuss it with clients, and then make referrals to the appropriate health care providers.

A healthy mouth with pink gums and white teeth not only looks appealing, but is also a sign of good health. Healthy gums and teeth are an integral part of overall health. Periodontal "gum" disease, one of the bodyÂ’s most common infectious diseases, slowly and silently destroys gum tissue and bone, which may contribute to other health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, diabetes, premature and low birth weight babies.

I use both manual hand scaling instruments and ultrasonic instruments to achieve perfectly clean teeth surfaces. At the end of treatment I offer conventional polishing or a more "holistic" approach by using a 'Prophy Jet'.

All instruments are meticulously sterilized between clients and kept in great condition.

We are pleased to now be able to offer you Periowave™ at our independent dental hygiene clinic.

"Periowave™ is a quick and painless technology that works to kill the bacteria associated with periodontal diseases, without the promotion of antibiotic resistance."

Gum Disease (Periodontitis) is a common condition that affects more than 50% of people over the age of 30. It often results in bleeding and swollen gums, persistent bad breath and the deterioration of the underlying structure that supports your teeth. Gum Disease is also the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.

Recent research has linked gum disease to a host of other serious health conditions including heart disease, stroke, cancer, premature births and diabetes. Early detection of periodontitis is critical as oral health plays an important role in total body health.

Periowave™ is a quick and painless technology that works to kill the bacteria associated with periodontal diseases, without the promotion of antibiotic resistance. Periowave™ is a chairside treatment that takes about one minute per periodontal pocket and offers virtually no discomfort to the patient.

Periowave™ combines advanced non-thermal diode laser technology with wavelength-matched photosensitizers to target the pathogens and toxins associated with gum disease. Simply put, Periowave™ kills the bad bacteria and leaves the good ones behind.

Please feel free to call us today about this exciting breakthrough in gum disease treatment and find out if Periowave™ is right for you.

For most people, an appealing smile is an important part of the overall impression a person makes and is an important social asset.

There are many teeth whitening systems available however, all of them differ in terms of effectiveness.

The 45 mins Whitening Sensation ZOOM! is available in my office as seen on ABCÂ’s hit Extreme Makeover.

• ZOOM! requires only one appointment and it gives immediate results.
• A take home whitening system with custom bleaching trays is also available. This method takes 1-2 weeks to become effective.

Commonly asked questions:

WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR TEETH WHITENING?
Professional teeth cleaning must be completed prior to teeth whitening!!

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR TEETH WHITENING?
Men and women, over 18 years of age and everyone who would love to smile at the world with a bright white smile. Brides, grooms, wedding parties, people with stained teeth and those who wish to be even more beautiful.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Researchers theorize that hydrogen peroxide undergoes the process of oxidation and during oxidation the bond between the discoloration and the enamel matrix is broken.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Some people experience temporary teeth sensitivity during the treatment. These symptoms always disappear within 1-3 days after interruption or completion of whitening.

WHO SHOULD NOT TRY TEETH WHITENING?
People with:

• Cracks in their enamel
• Extensive Fillings, Crowns and Bridges
• Sensitive root surfaces
• Women who are pregnant or nursing

Professional teeth whitening should be done prior to any placement of fillings to achieve a beautiful smile. Crowns, bridges, veneers, composite fillings will not become whiter during the whitening process.

It is recommended that Mouthguards be worn if you participate in numerous sports. Examples are: acrobatics, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, wrestling or baseball.

Mouthguards protect your teeth from chipping or cracking and dislodgement. Mouthguards have been proven to help prevent more serious injuries from occurring by preventing the lower jaw from making contact with the upper jaw.

A properly fitted customized sports mouthguard is an important investment for your teeth. It is custom fitted and made for you in a few days.

Every client at my independent dental hygiene clinic receives a through oral cancer screening. Early stages of oral cancer are often asymptomatic and if not discovered early the chances of surviving it diminish significantly. Most early signs of oral cancer are painless. Referrals to appropriate health care providers will be made promptly.

WHAT ARE SEALANTS?
Dental sealants are a clear, acrylic-like material that helps shield out decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of the back teeth or molars.

WHY ARE SEALANTS IMPORTANT?
The tiny nooks and crannies on the chewing surface of molars are called pits and fissures. These grooves are so deep and narrow that a toothbrush cannot completely keep them clean. Tiny bits of food and bacteria can hide in pits and fissures and cause cavities. ChildrenÂ’s teeth are particularly susceptible to decay because their tooth enamel has not reached its full hardness. Pit and fissure sealants provide a way to protect those vulnerable molars from early decay. Sealants are applied around age six when the first adult molars are fully erupted in the mouth.

Our face is the single most important determinant of physical attractiveness. Healthy teeth and gums are an integral part of a healthy mouth; a healthy mouth contributes to improved overall health.

Regular visits to a dental hygienist for preventive services including professional “teeth cleaning” and oral health education are part of the suggested care for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Most of us have had bad breath at some time or other. Whether it's barely noticeable or strong enough to turn people off, bad breath can undermine your self-confidence and cause embarrassment.

Our tongue is like a thick and absorbent carpet, it is a primary breeding spot for bacteria. This bacteria can cause gum problems or tooth decay, and is the main contributor to “halitosis” or bad breath. Cleaning your tongue is essential, it removes bacteria and dislodges unwanted plaque and mucus that can cause that bad breath smell.

WHAT CAUSES BAD BREATH?

• An Increase In Mouth Bacteria is the most common cause of bad breath
• Mouth Odors can be caused by Foods That We Eat
• Drugs we Take
• Stomach Problems
• Hunger
• Stress
• Hormonal Changes
• Systemic Diseases
• Dental Disease
• Morning Breath– the build up of bacteria while we sleep

If, after cleaning your tongue daily and regular bushing and flossing, you find you are still having problems with bad breath, please feel free to make a consultation appointment. I will be happy to address your concerns and explain other treatments.

A CLEAN TONGUE = FRESH BREATH!

Since dental hygiene services are extremely portable, I am delighted to offer my services to those clients who find themselves homebound in private homes or in care facilities. House call visits are very precious to me. Please call for more information about my distinctive, affordable service for those who are unable to transport themselves to my office.

The connection between oral health and overall health has been well documented in recent years. As a health care professional I am dedicated to helping to improve the overall health of the general public through the prevention of oral disease.