Cleaning & Prevention

Regular Cleanings

The Key to Dental Health

Keeping a regular preventative maintenance schedule with your hygienist and Dr. Ellison helps you prevent not only tooth decay and periodontal disease but also avoid costly procedures and extra time in the hygiene chair. If it has been months – or even years – since your last cleaning, you don’t need to feel embarrassed. Our office is a judgment-free office and Dr. Ellison encourages all patients to get back on track with regular visits.

Keeping routine dental habits at home, like brushing twice per day for two minutes each time, flossing daily, and using a mouthwash containing fluoride can make a huge difference in your oral health! In addition, there are other ways to improve the health of your teeth and gums. Because we all have different dental needs, our team can help recommend specific toothpaste, mouthwash, or flossing aids that will keep your smile bright and healthy for many years.

Enhance your daily hygiene routine by partnering with Dr. Susan Ellison for your regular dental exams and cleanings! Our dental team will not only recommend great dental habits but encourage you with tips for overall wellness by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Schedule a professional cleaning appointment in Houston today.

The Latest in Dental Imaging with 3D Scans

One way our office is set apart from other dental providers in Houston is our ability to provide 3D scans. With this latest technology, a 3D image of your teeth and your bite will allow us to show you exactly what we see when we do your exam. From the dental chair, you will be able to see on our computer any existing dental work, any cavities requiring attention, cracks in the teeth as well as wear and damage from the bite. We are able to also see the forces on the teeth and if any areas are hitting with too much force causing extensive wear that could be alleviated to prevent further damage.

We are thrilled to be able to offer 3D imaging to our patients.

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Deep Teeth Cleaning in Houston

Our office is proud to care for all our patients without judgment. Our job and our commitment are to take the best care of you possible by starting with where you are now and putting a plan in place to get you healthy and happy with your smile at a pace that is comfortable for you.

If you need a deep cleaning it is very important to get this done in the beginning. Keeping the gums clean and healthy prevents bone loss and helps to support you in keeping your teeth for the long term. Once this is done, we recommend other tools to make it easier for you to keep your teeth as healthy as possible so that you do not require additional deep cleanings, which is our goal for you.

We Recommend:

Oral B iO electric toothbrush with gentle micro-vibrations and smart pressure sensor, 7 smart modes, 100% better cleaning ability than a manual toothbrush
Waterpik Water Flosser-for flushing out plaque in between the teeth and around bridges
Therosol rinse-the best antibacterial chlorhexidine rinse that does not stain and tastes good
Sensidyne toothpaste-to remineralize sensitive teeth
Prevident toothpaste-to add the highest level of fluoride to the teeth to keep them strong and healthy
MI Paste-and additional dose of daily fluoride can also help to prevent cavities

Oral Cancer Screening

One of the most important parts of your routine visit to the dentist is the oral cancer screening. While optional, we recommend this element of the appointment so the dentist can thoroughly examine the soft tissue in your mouth, neck, and throat and diagnose any changes to your dental health (even if they are subtle). By detecting oral cancer early, you have a much higher chance of a successful outcome.

Periodontal Therapy

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. When left untreated, you can expect receding gums and tooth loss. But it doesn’t have to ruin your smile. A targeted, strategic cleaning schedule and a precise at-home regimen can help keep this chronic condition under control.

Teeth Cleaning

One of the best feelings, when you leave the dentist, is the smooth, newly polished surface of your teeth after cleaning. Our dental hygienists are extremely talented and passionate about dental health – and they go above and beyond just ‘cleaning’. Our team will remove thick plaque and tartar buildup, examine your gums for any signs of periodontal disease (gingivitis), and review your x-rays with the dentist.

Deep Cleaning

Has it been a while since your last cleaning? Leave your shame at the door! Dr. Ellison provides thorough deep cleaning, scaling and root planing for patients who may need a little extra care and attention, or for patients recently diagnosed with gum disease.

Home Care

While excellent oral health is a partnership between you and our team, we depend on you to make sure your teeth and gums stay strong and healthy between appointments. Together we can create an individual plan with the latest tools and knowledge to help protect your smile.

Dental Cleaning FAQs

What takes place during my cleaning exam with Dr. Ellison?

For your first cleaning and exam with Dr. Ellison, we are very friendly and thoughtful to make sure that
you are as comfortable as possible and spend time to get to know you and your preferences and address
any concerns that you may have. We will begin with a thorough set of photos and x-rays. Then we have
the latest technology, a 3D scanner, that will actually do a 3D image of your teeth and your bite and
allow us to show you exactly what we see when we do your exam on a computer screen right there in
the dental chair. You will be able to see any existing dental work, any cavities requiring attention, cracks
in the teeth as well as wear and damage from the bite. We are able to also see the forces on the teeth
and if any areas are hitting with too much force causing extensive wear that could be alleviated to
prevent further damage. In addition, we will do a Periodontal Exam, which means we will evaluate the
health of the gums. Dr. Ellison will do the exam and if there is no active gum disease, the hygienist will
do your cleaning and fluoride and schedule your next cleaning.

Will a cleaning make my teeth whiter?

Often having a cleaning can make the teeth appear whiter if there is build-up or stain on the teeth that
can be removed. If you want whiter teeth, the best time to bleach them is right after they have been
cleaned. We can advise you of the whitening systems we have at that time if you are interested.

How often should I visit the dentist for a cleaning?

Without the presence of periodontal disease, we usually recommend a cleaning every 6 months. There are patients who have periodontal disease or medical conditions that make it difficult for them to keep their teeth as clean as they would like for them to be to prevent bleeding and infection in the gums which will make them also more likely to get cavities so we will recommend to them to have a cleaning every 3-4 months. The goal is to have you coming in to get them clean BEFORE there is infection and/or bleeding so that we are PREVENTING disease rather than treating disease.

Does the exam hurt?

The exam is usually a visual exam to view the teeth and review the x-rays and does not hurt. We are
very good about going over each step we are about to do prior to doing it so that you know what to
expect.

Reviews

I found the perfect place to take care of my teeth. I loved how they explained every step they were doing to take X-rays and 3D pictures of my teeth. Also what I can expect when they are cleaning my teeth. How the brush will feel, why they are testing my gums, etc. I loved it!

-Sharlene B.