Teeth Cleaning For Adults and Children in Erie, PA

While the foundation of dental hygiene is your at-home dental care routine, it's just as important to visit the dentist regularly to make sure your teeth are healthy and your smile is bright. Regular teeth cleaning performed by a professional dental hygienist prevents gum disease and tooth decay - which could ultimately lead to the removal of the tooth.

smiling couple

Why Have Professional Teeth Cleaning?

There are several good reasons why you should schedule teeth cleaning every six months, even if you maintain a meticulous dental hygiene regimen at home. 

  1. Dentists and dental hygienists have the tools and expertise to monitor for issues you might not necessarily be able to see or feel.

  2. Professional teeth cleaning instruments are the only thing powerful enough to remove hardened dental plaque, aka calculus or tartar. 

  3. Professional teeth cleaning can make your smile appear whiter and brighter, helping to remove stains, plaque, and tartar. 

  4. It can save you time, money, and suffering down the road — teeth cleanings prevent small problems from becoming major issues, sparing you time in the dentist’s chair undergoing costly procedures.

Teeth Cleaning Procedures

It’s important to set kids up for optimal oral health throughout their growth and development, which is a primary focus of pediatric dentistry and aided by regular teeth cleanings. As we get older as adults, we must treat our teeth with extra special attention and care so that we can enjoy life to the fullest. 

A typical teeth cleaning takes 30-60 minutes and consists of: 

  • Oral health exam (may include x-rays)
  • Removal of tartar and plaque buildup
  • Teeth polishing

Dental anesthesia is also available to patients who have a fear of dentists or simply need extra relaxation during procedures. At Sleep Dentistry Erie, we are committed to helping our patients — with or without insurance — achieve their healthiest smiles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How frequently should I have my teeth cleaned?

You should have your teeth cleaned at least once a year for healthy adults, although a routine dental cleaning and examination every six months is preferable. If you have a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes), take medication (especially those that contribute to xerostomia, or dry mouth), wear braces, are prone to poor dietary (sugary or high-carb snacks between meals) or lifestyle habits (smoking), or simply have a mouth that is smaller and more difficult to clean, it is recommended you get checked up on more regularly.

Should I still get my teeth professionally cleaned even if I regularly brush and floss at home?

Yes, you should still get your teeth professionally cleaned. Even with regular brushing and flossing — and good technique with both — the vast majority of people fail to clear away all the plaque that builds up on and between teeth. Once that hardens into dental calculus or tartar, no amount of brushing or flossing can remove it. Only the specialized tools and equipment of a dental hygienist can loosen, rinse, and suction it away.

Why are my teeth so sensitive after a teeth cleaning?

One reason your teeth are so sensitive after a teeth cleaning is dental cleaning tools making contact with gum surfaces, especially puffy or swollen gums, leading to sensitivity or bleeding. Once teeth have been properly scaled of calculus/tartar, tooth structure that may have not been exposed in “many moons” will be experiencing sensation directly for the first time in a while, it will need time to adjust. Exposed tooth roots near the gumline are especially susceptible to sensitivity. 

How soon can I eat and drink again after having my teeth cleaned?

You can eat and drink immediately after having your teeth cleaned, unless you’ve received a fluoride treatment, which needs at least half an hour to settle and seal around your teeth to maximize its enamel-fortifying benefits. Nonetheless, take care with what you eat or drink after a professional dental cleaning, as your teeth will likely be sensitive to hot, cold, spicy, crunchy, or acidic foods. If you’re thirsty, drink water. If you’re hungry, opt for soft foods served near room temperature.

Will routine dental cleanings whiten my teeth?

Whiter teeth are an ancillary benefit of a routine dental cleaning, but not its goal — for that you may want to invest in our Lifetime Whitening Program.  Nonetheless, after we’re done buffering away tartar (which may take on a yellowish or greenish tinge) and polishing your teeth, they may very well look whiter and brighter than when you walked in!

Where To Find Us 

📍 Address: 3915 Caughey Rd, Erie, PA 16506
 
📞 Phone:  (814) 833-3505
 

Recent Posts

More Than a Dental Anesthesiologist: Why To Choose Dr. Kevin Mahoney

Posted on April 30th, 2020 at 11:49 AM
More Than a Dental Anesthesiologist: Why To Choose Dr. Kevin Mahoney

As a practicing dental anesthesiologist specializing in family and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Kevin Mahoney has never seen a situation quite like COVID-19. Regardless, he continues to see to his patients' unique needs, delivering quality dental care tailored to the individual — just as he has for over three decades. If you're looking to establish a routine appointment schedule once government closure mandates lift, you can trust Dr. Mahoney to provide for you safely and capably.

For emergency dental care

Oral health closely correlates to overall health, so when a dental emergency arises, it’s important to get care fast. Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney offers same-day appointments to patients and non-patients alike, to address severe pain or swelling of the mouth or jaw, infections and abscesses, or broken or cracked teeth, crowns, or fillings. Don’t fret about payment or lack of insurance — between our work with insurance carriers and our monthly payment plans, our office makes a coordinated effort to ease your financial burden.

If dental fear or phobia is preventing you from getting the urgent dental care you need, do not let it. Dr. Mahoney is the only dentist in the Erie area licensed to administer general anesthesia, characterized by a deep state of unconsciousness. You’ll feel no pain and have no memory of the emergency procedure, but the relief you feel afterward will be something to remember going forward. 

For routine dental care

Of course, trips to the dentist shouldn’t just be reserved for emergencies. It’s recommended that dental visits occur every 6 months, or at least annually — by monitoring the health of the teeth, gums, and mouth consistently, there is a lesser chance of dire situations popping up in the first place! Furthermore, by seeing you more frequently, we can hone in on achieving your best smile through our array of cosmetic (aka aesthetic) dentistry services.

We understand that even routine dental procedures like bonding and fillings can be stressful or difficult for folks with anxieties, phobias, or special needs. For these patients, Dr. Mahoney can administer sedation or general anesthesia before he performs his work, getting more done in fewer visits. He also collaborates with the compassionate canine, Dogtor Gizmo — a certified dental therapy dog who's happy to sit or snuggle with you during your procedure. Dogtor Gizmo is wonderful with children and special needs patients.

It is these efforts to reinforce calm and reduce stress that set Dr. Mahoney apart.

dr kevin mahoney sleep dentistry procedure

Kind words from our patients

We know that deciding on one dentist can seem overwhelming when there are so many options available. We encourage you to choose the dentist best for you — who you’re both comfortable with and who delivers the care you need. In the meantime, here are a few examples of why our patients feel we’re the best for them.

From our Google Reviewers (5.0 stars, 13 reviews)

“Friendly, Professional, Compassionate, Experienced”

— 5 star review from Glenn Henry (Local Guide)

“Dr. Kevin Mahoney and staff have always made me feel at ease. I quite often call myself ‘Chicken Little’ when it comes to dentistry. The Sleep Dentistry is a bonus, the main reason I started to go there. They are very professional, friendly and informative. Thank you for making my visits stress free!”

— 5 star review from Kim Tavernese

From our Facebook Reviewers (4.3 stars, 52 reviews)

“The only phobia I have bigger than spiders and needles is going to the dentist, and I must say in all my years of going to a dentist, Dr. Mahoney has made that phobia go away. I was not put to sleep [when I] didn't need to be, I had my teeth cleaned and 2 fillings done all the same day and I felt no pain and never felt the needles. Dr. Mahoney has mastered his craft and makes you feel so comfortable and anxiety free, if there were 6-star [reviews], Dr. Mahoney definitely would have got one from me!!!”

— 5 star review from Butchie Knight

“My 6-year-old had some major problems with his teeth and needed surgery, [but] he was scared of the dentist ... When we finally thought we found an answer and had scheduled a surgery, the coronavirus outbreak made his surgery get cancelled and hope was lost. Of course my son's tooth took a turn for the worse. We got into [Dr. Mahoney’s] office the same day that we called them and the next morning my son had his surgery. WHAT A LIFE SAVER! Extremely satisfied with the service not to mention sanitary conditions in the office as well!”

— 5 star review from Katie Payne

If you, a friend, or a relative need emergency dental services during the COVID-19 outbreak, call Dr. Mahoney’s office at (814) 833-3505 to arrange a same-day appointment. When routine dental care is allowed to resume, please get in touch with us! We will be seeing new patients after previously scheduled appointments are fulfilled. 

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