Dental Hygiene Haven

Can’t I just get my teeth cleaned?

This is the #1 question I get.

It sounds to me like the real question is one of VALUE.    Many people feel that an “exam” is the brief time the dentist spends with you to tell you whether or not you have cavities, which the client already has a good idea about, because the dental hygienist has already told them.  They feel that they don’t get good value for their money – a few minutes of the dentist’s time for a $35 – $55 charge, and frequently well over $100 for the first visit – and no real work has been done yet!

Every healthcare practitioner is responsible for looking for problems within their scope and informing you if you have any – and this process is called an Exam, or a Screening.

The frustration for us all is that every time we go to a new practitioner, we get that fee AGAIN.  It’s true no matter where you go. . .your medical doctor sends you to a specialist and they start out with an exam.  They don’t just accept the previous doctor’s notes.

The same thing happens in dentistry.  At Dental Hygiene Haven, you get good value for your money.  Our Consultation fee is very affordable and answers these 5 questions:

1. Do I have signs of Oral Cancer?

2. Do I have Gum Disease?

3. Do I have signs of broken teeth, broken fillings, or cavities?

4. Do I need X-rays?  Plus – Why?

5. What kind of teeth cleaning do I need?  Plus – How long will it take, will it hurt, and how much will it cost?

6. What do I need to do to maintain my teeth and gums at home?  You will received a customized Home Care routine, just for you!

Please understand that I am not “against” dentists.  Both dentists and dental hygienists are part of the Dental team and both have a role to play. Those roles are different and are complimentary to each other, not in competition with each other. The American Dental Association recommends having bi-annual Dental Exams, which is performed by a licensed dentist (a DDS or a DMD). Although trained to recognize problems, dental hygienists are not licensed to diagnose disease, but dentists are.  Therefore, I recommend to all my clients that they seek bi-annual dental exams from a dentist.

In fact, I strive to understand your personal philosophy of care so that I can match you with a dentist who has a similar philosophy.  It’s no fun to work with a healthcare provider who wants to sell you something you have no interest in buying!

What’s an Independent Dental Hygienist? Is that legal?

An Independent Dental Hygienist owns their own practice and works on their own, without a dentist on-site. This has been legal in the State of Colorado since 1986.

So you just clean teeth?

Services include Screenings for Oral Cancer and Cavities, Gum Disease Exams, X-rays (when needed), Teeth Cleaning (from simple to complex), Fluoride Treatments, plus Nutritional Coaching, Oral Bacterial tests, Dental Consultations, and Dental Tourism Consultations.

What’s the advantage of using a private dental hygienist rather than just going to my dentist?

The 2 main advantages are customized appointments and choice.
- Customized Appointments
In the traditional setting, your care is determined by a scheduling template. For example, an appointment consisting of Cleaning, X-rays, and Exam may get 50 minutes or 60 minutes, depending on the practice. If x-rays aren’t called for, you may get 30 or 40 minutes.
At Dental Hygiene Haven, you get what you need, based on your specific needs, not production goals.  A 30-minute appointment may be adequate for one client and a 75-minute appointment for another.
- Choice
Not all hygienists are created equal. I work with many clients who love their dentist, but not the hygienist that works for him or her. They simply prefer my:

Gentle Touch

Thorough Cleaning Techniques

Compassionate, caring, non-judgmental attitude

Creative and customized home care suggestions

Creative solutions to gum and cleaning problems

Good Communication: “You tell me what you are going to do, and then you do it.”

Helpful health information based on what the mouth is “saying” about the health of the whole body.  I see the mouth as part of the whole body. There are many issues happening elsewhere in the body that have indicators that show up in the mouth. Sharing those insights with clients is very valuable to them as they seek to maintain or improve their health.

What happens if I come to you and I need a dentist?

As stated in the previous paragraph, I recommend that you see a dentist bi-annually for an exam. When I “find something”, i.e., notice a filling is broken, I show it to you and inform you of the problem or potential problem. If you already work with a dentist, you simply make an appointment with that dentist for the repair. If you don’t already work with a dentist, I’m happy to recommend one to you. Any X-rays I have taken for you will be sent to your dentist.  The dentists and I have good communication.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and What motivated you to “go independent?”

My motivation was 3-fold, the first part being you, my client, and others like you. I’ve been listening to your comments and concerns over the years and it’s time to give you what you’ve been asking for – an objective assessment of what’s going on in your mouth, to be treated like the awesome person that you are, and to be empowered with information.

The second part of my motivation was a selfish one. I don’t like having to push patients through, just to get to the next one. In short, it’s time to do it “my” way – in a more relaxed and calm environment. This approach isn’t for everyone, but if it’s for you, call or email for an appointment!

The third part is the number of people who don’t receive care. Statistics tell us that 40% of U.S. population doesn’t receive regular dental care. I hear many complaints from people who tell me that they call a dental office “just to get their teeth cleaned” and the first available appointment is in 4 months! That’s not ok with me.

I’m afraid of pain. How do you do your work without causing pain?

A gentle touch and the ability to perceive your comfort level are gifts that really help. For patients who have infection in their gums, which hurts no matter how gentle I am, gums can be numbed using a topical anesthetic, which means no shots. When the pain comes from tooth sensitivity, products can be applied to the teeth that diminish or in some cases even stop that tooth sensitivity.  When needed, anesthetic injections can be used.

I’ve worked with many people who’ve had their “first ever positive experience” having their teeth cleaned with me. That is the accomplishment that I’m most proud of.

I’ve been considering having my teeth whitened. Are there any dental or health problems with this procedure?

Whitening is an easy an economical way to look younger! The main concern about whitening is that it can cause your teeth to be sensitive. However, there is good news for people with sensitive teeth!  First, I have access to whiteners have been reformulated to include desensitizers to eliminate this nuisance.  And second, there are now over-the-counter whitening rinses that whiten very gently.  Many people who are unable to whiten their teeth any other way are finding success with these rinses.

Also, whitening products cause some people to break out with little cancer sores. If you are using whiteners and have this problem,  discontinue use.

Which is more important, flossing my teeth, or brushing my teeth?

Both are important. Brushing reaches 70% of all tooth surfaces and flossing reaches the other 30%. People who do not like to floss or have an issue that limits their ability to floss are encouraged to make an appointment with me to learn about what I call the “Un-Floss.” The Un-floss is a variety products that accomplish the same thing as floss, but are not floss. This topic will be covered in a future ezine article – subscribe so you don’t miss it!

Do you work with children? At what age should they start seeing a dental hygienist regularly?

1. Yes, I work with children. Their inquisitive natures make them a lot of fun to work with. Children should start having their teeth cleaned as soon as they can cooperate, which is usually around age 3.
2. How do you know if they can cooperate through an appointment? If your children would open their mouths and let you brush their teeth for them, then they’re ready to have their teeth cleaned. If you would have to restrain them or wrestle with them in order to brush their teeth for them, their appointment probably wouldn’t be a positive experience for anyone concerned. Please call or email me with questions regarding this, as some children are simply strong-willed.

I hear on TV that “sugarless” gum actually help keep your teeth clean. Is this true?

There are 3 beneficial things that can happen as a result of chewing sugarless gum, and one warning.
3 benefits:

1. Chewing anything, including gum, can keep plaque moving around so it can’t get organized enough to do its destructive deeds.

2. Read the label! If the sugarless gum has Xylitol® as its first/primary sweetener, that’s good. Xylitol® has been shown in studies to cause as lesser blood sugar spike than sugar and to decrease plaque production.

3. In addition to having dental benefits, if you like to chew a lot but want to control weight, chewing sugarless gum can help you with both!

One Warning:: Excessive chewing can create fatigue and soreness in your TMJ (where your lower jaw connects to your skull, just in front of your ears). If you have a tendency towards TMJ troubles, chewing gum can make it worse.

What kind of toothbrush and toothpaste do you recommend?

The short answer is: whichever one you’ll use. For toothbrushes, I recommend an electric one if:
- you’re a “gadget” kind of person
- always in a rush when you brush
- have a limitation (such as arthritis or an injury)
Watch for my upcoming ezine (emailed newsletter) article about toothbrushes.  Subscribe so you won’t miss it!

For Toothpaste, whichever one you like. There are some special-purpose toothpastes out there, like toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Use one of those if you have that issue. However, moderation in all things; those toothpastes can lose their effectiveness if used for long periods of time.

The main thing about toothpaste is: it isn’t soap! It’s your excellent brushing technique, not the toothpaste that removes plaque. I wrote an article called “The Truth About Toothpaste.” Click the title to go read the whole article!

I’m confused about mouthwashes. Are they helpful? Are any of them better than the others?

There are 2 reasons to use a mouthwash:
1. You need what the specialty mouthwash provides

2. You like it
With mouthwashes, I recommend the principal of moderation in all things. If you use a mouthwash daily, I highly encourage you to read the label and get one that does NOT have alcohol in it. Alcohol causes unhealthy changes to the skin of the inside of your mouth. I’ll show it to you at your appointment if you use one of these mouthwashes daily.

Antibacterial mouthwashes can be a big help to you if you have a gum infection flaring up. They are meant to be used for the short-term, not twice daily forever.

I must confess a bias here.  I’m not a big fan of mouthwashes and rarely recommend them.  Why?  Because too many people become sloppy with brushing and flossing, thinking that rinse will take care of the plaque and its bacteria – afterall, the TV ad says it “kills plaque.”  As a result, I see a lot of people whose gums deteriorate.  Rinses and mouthwashes are best used after brushing and flossing, not instead of!

What’s the difference between a dental hygienist and a dental technician?

A dental hygienist is licensed, and trained to work directly with patients, providing preventive services, such as tooth cleaning and fluoride treatments. A dental technician is trained to work in a dental lab and creates restorative structures such as crowns and dentures. Technicians work from models that are made of the mouth; they can not treat patients by working directly in their mouths.

I’m ready to have a positive experience having my teeth cleaned thoroughly and gently. How do I get started with you?

Great! Email me your contact information or call (970) 481-8752 to schedule your appointment, or send a message right now. I look forward to working with you!