8385 N. Cornerstone Drive Hayden, ID  83835
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(208) 772-5141

Routine Teeth Cleaning will Make Your Smile Look, Feel, and Smell Great

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The dental cleaning is your opportunity to connect with your hygienist and dentist. They are your coach, your cheerleader, and your therapist to keep your smile in tip-top shape.

Steps to Teeth Cleaning Process

  1. Updating your medical and dental history noting any changes in diet, medication, and tooth or gum sensitivity that you have noticed.
  2. The hygienist will examine your mouth for hard and soft deposits that need to be removed.
  3. Xrays will be taken for possible areas of decay and hardened build up under the gums.
  4. Using hand instruments and ultrasonic teeth cleaning devices the hygienist gently removes the hard and soft build-up of bacterial and calcium deposits.
  5. During your teeth cleaning the hygienist will also identify areas of concern and coach you on how to keep these areas free of bacteria and disease.
  6. The dentist will come in during the tooth-cleaning process to work with you and the hygienist in developing and maintaining a plan to keep your teeth white and beautiful and your gums pink and healthy.
  7. If you are bleaching your teeth we will evaluate your results and decide if you are in a maintenance phase or if you want your teeth whiter.
  8. If your gums are bleeding we will talk about the appropriate use of electric toothbrushes, electric Waterpik devices, flossing, and possibly the home application of antiseptic mouth rinses.

Importance of Regularly Scheduled Dental Cleaning Appointments

It is very important to maintain a regular schedule of dental cleaning appointments to maintain dental health and prevent the loss of teeth and gums. Most people see their hygienist and dentist every 6 months. For people with no dental disease, they can see their dentist yearly for an exam but they should still have teeth cleaning every 6 months. For people with active gum disease, it is sometimes necessary to see the hygienist 3 or 4 times a year with dentist examinations every 6 months.

Why Daily Brushing and Flossing Is Not Enough

The average person is not able to remove the hardened deposit under the gums especially in between and back teeth. The hygienist has specialized instruments, equipment, and training that can reach areas of the mouth that are inaccessible for a toothbrush and floss. Some people brush too hard with manual brushes which can cause the gums to recede and abrade the root surfaces of teeth. We recommend the use of electric toothbrushes whenever possible. When you come in for your teeth cleaning we will show you in a mirror how you are doing and possibly recommend new techniques or new home dental cleaning devices and chemical rinses to better maintain your smile. Most gum and dental disease occur at night while you are sleeping. We will talk to you about the importance of going to sleep with a clean mouth. It is good to brush twice a day but the critical time is just before going to bed.

Covid-19 Update

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Update

Dear Patients of Cornerstone Dental Center,

In order to better serve the community, to limit your and everyone’s potential exposure and conserve important medical resources during the Covid-19 challenge, we ask the following:

Please do not come into Cornerstone Dental Center if you have a fever (100 F or higher) or recent onset (last 2 weeks) onset of cough.
Please do not bring another person with you to your appointment unless you are a parent or guardian of the patient being seen.

We will need to take your (and your companion’s) temperature and ask a few questions before you come into our facilities.

If you believe you are ill with Covid-19 or influenza please call your primary care doctor’s office or your local urgent care rather than going in.
Testing for Covid-19 is recommended for you if you meet the following conditions:

  1. If you have a fever over 100 F and a cough, and have any chronic health conditions or are over the age of 60,
  2. If you have a fever over 100 F and a cough, and have had contact in the last 14 days with a known Covid-19 patient or recent travel to affected areas

People with mild symptoms and no underlying chronic health issues (chronic lung or kidney disease, diabetes, immune suppression are examples) are advised to STAY HOME until symptoms (cough, fever) have resolved for 72 hours.  But do call your primary care doctor’s office to find out if you need testing.  If you have shortness of breath, you should go to the Emergency Room (but call first, or have someone call for you).

The Panhandle Health District has set up a hotline if you have questions: 1-877-415-5225

Kootenai County is a strong community and we will get through this by working together to limit the spread, and to protect our medically vulnerable friends and neighbors. Thank you for helping us and each other in this challenging time.