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
 

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Why You Should Choose Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney

Posted on February 25th, 2022 at 1:25 PM
Why You Should Choose Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney

At Sleep Dentistry, we cater our services to you. Our goal is to provide you with quality dental care, while also keeping your comfort as our top priority. Whether you love the dentist, or whether you’re someone who gets tense just thinking about your next appointment, we center our care around giving you peace of mind. 

Dr. Kevin Mahoney has over 34 overs of dental care experience. He loves being able to provide quality care to the patients in Erie, however, he knows that patient comfort is a core element of a positive patient experience. At Sleep Dentistry, our team has experience with all different types of patients. Our sedation dentistry services and focus on relaxation dentistry practices set us apart from others. 

We help ease dental anxiety for all patients

Pediatric dental care

Dental checkups happen much more frequently for children in their growing stages as they reach their dental milestones. On average, children are required to visit the dentist once every six months. That can be quite the challenge if your little one gets anxious around the dentist. At Sleep Dentistry, we realize that dental health is important, however, we also strive to provide services during your visit that will make it easy and comfortable. 

At Sleep Dentistry, we offer therapy dogs for anxiety relating to the dentist’s office. Our therapy dogs, or should we say “dogtors”, are trained in providing affection and support to patients who experience dental anxiety. Dogtor Gizmo and his brother Gadget are the in-office therapy dogs at Sleep Dentistry and they make sure our patients feel peaceful during their visits. There have been plenty of times that our Dogtors have made visiting the dentist a relaxing, and even enjoyable, experience.

Special needs patients

At Sleep Dentistry, we’re used to adapting our dental treatments to accommodate the needs of our patients. We do this for everyone who walks through the door at Sleep Dentistry, including special needs dental patients. We’ve worked with patients who have autism, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, Down syndrome, and more. We provide thorough communication during visits, physical accessibility, as well as comfort and safety measures during treatment care. 

For special needs individuals with low-income status, it may be difficult to pay for dental care. We offer financial assistance for dental services to all of our patients and work with you to determine a suitable plan for you.

Cosmetic dentistry

Sometimes patients may want to improve and enhance their smile, but dental anxiety can get in the way of achieving the smile they desire. Sleep Dentistry is here for all who have difficulty going to the dentist. Dr. Kevin Mahoney is a board-certified dental anesthesiologist, and his focuses are in family and cosmetic dentistry. Before the beginning of any cosmetic dental treatment, Dr. Mahoney can administer a safe sedative or general anesthesia, which allows for more dental work to be completed in a smaller time frame.

Nothing should be holding you back to achieve the smile of your dreams. That’s why we offer many services that help our patients feel comfortable during their visits. We offer a smile makeover treatment, a lifetime whitening program, and tooth restoration services within our cosmetic dentistry solutions.

Orthodontic dentistry

Orthodontic treatments can lead you to a healthier smile, but these treatments often take many visits that can be stress-inducing for patients with dental anxiety. Our Dogtors are always happy to see our orthodontics patients and provide them with the utmost comfort during their time in our office. Getting braces installed may provide minor discomfort to your teeth and mouth. Sleep Dentistry provides topical anesthesia, sedation, and anesthesiology so that your visit is quick, easy, and painless. 

Dental therapy dogs for dental anxiety in Erie, PA

Our dental therapy dogs can provide comfort and ease stress

The Dogtors are in the office! Our dental therapy dogs, Gizmo and Gadget, have been comforting patients in the Erie area for a few years now. These Dogtors help us provide quality relaxation dentistry to our clients. Therapy dogs have been proven to help patients who have dental anxiety. They can decrease blood pressure, lower anxiety, and aid in positive interactions within typically stressful environments.

Many of our patients love the added sense of familiarity, comfort, and companionship that’s provided by our therapy dogs. Whether you want both Dogtors in the room with you, for the whole treatment, or just for a little while, we are willing to provide dental care that adapts to your needs. Stop in and meet the Dogtors during your next appointment!

Relax in our in-office spa room

Sleep Dentistry is happy to offer a relaxing spa room as an additional benefit to our patients. It may sound odd that a dental office offers an in-office spa room, however, our commitment to our patient’s comfort has led us to provide a variety of services that benefit their experience. Our spa room allows clients to spend time relaxing right before their appointment. We offer massage chairs and paraffin wax, which can be used safely on hands. Schedule a session in the spa room for your next dentist appointment!

Your best choice for dental services in Erie, PA

Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney provides top-notch dental services in Erie, PA, all with you in mind. Our focus on patient care and comfort creates an ideal environment for anyone with dental anxiety and/or phobias. Sleep Dentistry is one of its kind, being the only dentistry in Erie, PA that offers sedation services. The next time you’re struggling with making your yearly check-up, consider Sleep Dentistry with Dr. Kevin Mahoney. We promise to provide an experience tailored to you.

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