Preventative Dentistry

With regular dental check-ups you'll have a better outcome while spending less

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At Post Falls Family Dental, located in the heart of Post Falls, we firmly believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge and choices necessary to guide their oral health journey. Understanding that oral health is a pivotal component of overall well-being, we advocate for a proactive versus reactive approach. Opting for a proactive path allows you to take control of your dental health, ensuring that potential issues are addressed before they escalate into more significant problems. This forward-thinking strategy encompasses regular dental check-ups, comprehensive screenings for sleep apnea and snoring, detailed dental x-rays, thorough teeth cleanings, and diligent maintenance of existing dental work.

By committing to regular dental visits and upkeep, you significantly improve the likelihood of a favorable diagnostic outcome, minimizing the need for extensive—and often costly—dental procedures down the line. Our commitment to utilizing the latest technology, such as digital X-rays, is crucial in this preventive strategy. Digital X-rays offer a more transparent, detailed view of your dental health, enabling us to identify and address issues such as early signs of decay, gum disease, or other oral health concerns with unparalleled precision and ease.

At Post Falls Family Dental, we operate under the philosophy that caring for your teeth is an investment in your overall health. Good oral hygiene practices prevent dental diseases and contribute to a lifetime of healthy smiles. We are dedicated to providing our patients with the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to maintain optimal oral health. Our state-of-the-art facilities and experienced team are here to guide you through your oral health journey, ensuring that your teeth remain a source of strength, confidence, and pride. Remember, when you take care of your teeth, they indeed take care of you, and at Post Falls Family Dental, we're here to ensure that you and your teeth have a bright, healthy future together.

New Patient Exam

A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by Post Falls Family Dental at your initial dental visit. At regular check-up exams, Dr. Lynn, Dr. Elliott, or Dr. Harness and one of our hygienists will include the following:

  • Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  • Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
  • Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
  • Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.

Cleanings

Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are performed by Post Falls Family Dental’s Registered Dental Hygienists. Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:

  • Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
  • Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
  • Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.

Sealants

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay. Most tooth decay in children and teens occurs on these surfaces. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces from tooth decay by keeping germs and food particles out of these grooves.

Permanent molars are the most likely to benefit from sealants. The first molars usually come into the mouth when a child is about 6 years old. Second molars appear at about age 12. It is best if the sealant is applied soon after the teeth have erupted, before they have a chance to decay.

Applying sealants does not require drilling or removing tooth structure. The process is short and easy. After the tooth is cleaned, a special gel is placed on the chewing surface for a few seconds. The tooth is then washed off and dried. Then, the sealant is painted on the tooth. The dentist or dental hygienist also may shine a light on the tooth to help harden the sealant. It takes about a minute for the sealant to form a protective shield.

Sealants can only be seen up close. Dental sealants can be clear, white, or slightly tinted, and usually are not seen when a child talks or smiles. A dental sealant applied by Post Falls Family Dental can last for as long as 5 to 10 years. Sealants should be checked at your regular dental appointment and can be reapplied if they are no longer in place or loose.

Decay damages teeth permanently. Sealants protect them. Sealants can save time, money, and the discomfort sometimes associated with dental fillings.

Healthy Start

Healthy Start is a dental solution to a medical problem which is plaguing our youth today. There is a silent epidemic effecting 9 out of every 10 kids. It is easily overlooked, misdiagnosed, and untreated. It is critical we start evaluating sleep behaviors and breathing habits in our children. Do your kids mouth breathe, grind, snore, or have frequent allergies or throat/ear infections? Do they suffer from hyperactivity, lack of focus, irritability, night terrors, or bedwetting? All these can be symptoms that are easily overlooked and under-diagnosed.

Healthy Start is a non-evasive way to address the root causes of sleep disorder breathing as early as 2 years old and can help to promote proper oral habits. It develops a better airway, proper jaw development, correct tongue placement, precise swallowing habits, and straightens teeth without braces.

Our Healthy Start program will provide interceptive and comprehensive care for your children. Now who wouldn’t want to be proactive in creating a better life for their kids? Call to set up an appointment today. Additionally click the link below to print the form out and bring it in for your first appointment.