What happens during a teeth cleaning visit?

Your visit starts with an oral health exam. We may take digital X-rays to check for cavities, bone loss, and issues under the gums, and an off-site overseeing dentist reviews them and helps with diagnosis. Then we use hand tools and, when appropriate, an ultrasonic scaler to gently clean and polish your teeth. If you need a referral to a general or specialty dentist, we coordinate it.

What is a dental sealant and who can get one?

A sealant is a protective coating applied to the deep grooves of a tooth to prevent cavities. Teeth are most vulnerable while erupting, which is why sealants are commonly applied to children's teeth, but they are available to adults too. We use a light-cured glass ionomer varnish, which releases fluoride into the tooth and holds up better than a self-drying sealant.

What is silver diamine fluoride and when is it used?

Silver diamine fluoride, or SDF, is a topical treatment that can stop an early cavity from progressing past the enamel and into the dentin, sometimes sparing a tooth from a filling. It has been in use since the 1970s. SDF turns the treated area black, and it may need to be reapplied over time, so we always discuss the options with you first.

Do you take X-rays, and who reads them?

Yes. Our digital X-rays are designed for reduced radiation exposure. An off-site overseeing dentist evaluates them and assists with diagnosis, and we coordinate referrals with your general dentist or a specialist. If you don't have a dentist, we'll help you find one that fits your needs.

Teeth Cleaning and Dental Prophylaxis in Salida, Colorado

Preventive care for adults and children

Request an Appointment

Clinic | 124 W 2nd St Unit B, Salida, CO 81201
Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Booking | By Appointment

Mobile clinic appointments are available for Howard, Westcliffe, and Crestone in the San Luis Valley.

Teeth Cleaning for Adults and Kids

When you schedule a teeth cleaning visit at Peak to Peak Dental Hygiene, expect to feel well attended to and taken care of. We'll perform an exam for oral health (see our Periodontal Care page for more details on this).

We may also take digital X-rays of your mouth to assess for cavities, bone loss, and any other issues under the gums. Our digital X-ray system is state of the art. It is quick, painless, and designed for reduced exposure to radiation. An off-site overseeing dentist will evaluate your X-rays and help to diagnose. You will be supported in coordinating the care that you need. We can send referrals to your general dentist and/or a specialty dentist. If you don't have a dentist, we'll discuss finding a dentist for your personal needs.

After the exam, we'll use hand tools and possibly our ultrasonic scaler to thoroughly and gently clean and polish your teeth. During our visit, we're happy to answer your questions about your oral health, connections to your overall health, and we'll offer you information that directly applies to your particular situation.

We're here to clean your teeth, and also to provide education to empower you to take the best possible care of your mouth and teeth and to address any problems or potential problems we discover during the visit.

Staci Coberly, RDH, Founder of Peak to Peak Dental Hygiene PC

“We've found that most kids' fears of the dentist come from hearing their parents talk about how scared they are of having to go to the dentist. We try to change that by working with parents to help teach kids how to take care of their teeth.”

Staci Coberly, RDH, Founder

Teeth Cleaning and Dental Hygiene for Kids

Encouragement, education and motivation for good oral health starts at a young age. At Peak to Peak Dental Hygiene we enjoy inspiring kids to build healthy dental hygiene habits. We teach proper teeth cleaning techniques and make it a fun environment, building rapport so kids don't have fear of the dentist.

We've found that most kids' fears of the dentist come from hearing their parents talk about how scared they are of having to go to the dentist. We try to change that by working with parents to help teach kids how to take care of their teeth. Screening at an early age is best for prevention of oral disease and tooth problems, along with education and fluoride exposure.

Children's Sealants

Teeth are most vulnerable when erupting. Sealant is a protective coating designed to prevent cavities. It is applied to coat the deep grooves of children's teeth as they are erupting and reduces the risk of cavities in the teeth. Fluoride is important for the teeth because it helps strengthen the enamel layer to prevent early cavities. There are various types of topical applications for fluoride.

At Peak to Peak Dental Hygiene, we prefer to use a varnish, as it's more readily absorbed and more effective in protecting the teeth against cavities. The varnish we use includes an ingredient called glass ionomer. It contains fluoride, but allows fluoride to be absorbed within the tooth, which is what strengthens the tooth enamel. We us a light-cured method vs. a self-drying method. The self-drying method doesn't last as well and doesn't offer the uptake of fluoride into the tooth. If anything gets trapped underneath the sealant, it can cause a cavity; that's why glass ionomer is preferred.

This method of sealant requires more technical skill and takes a little longer, but it is a much preferred method of sealing the teeth. We are aware that not every parent wishes for their child to be exposed to fluoride. At Peak to Peak Dental Hygiene, we respect your decision regarding fluoride.

Note that sealant is available for adults as well. The treatment method is the same.

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) Treatment

Silver diamine fluoride was developed in Japan and has been used since the 1970s to curb the development of dental cavities, and to prevent cavities. As a cavity is starting in the enamel layer of a tooth, if SDF is applied, it can arrest the cavity and stop the cavity from progressing into the second, softer layer of tooth, called dentin. SDF can sometimes save a tooth from having to have a filling.

If you have SDF treatment, we'll check at each visit using X-rays and visual examination to see if SDF might need to be re-applied to keep the cavity arrested. It's important to understand that SDF may not be a one-time treatment; it may require re-application for maintenance.

Also note that silver diamine fluoride turns black on the teeth once it's applied. It can be an effective way to stop cavities and protect teeth, but not everyone will choose to use SDF on more visible areas of the teeth. At Peak to Peak Dental Hygiene, we'll always discuss treatment options with you so you can make the best, informed decision for your oral health needs.

Common Questions About Teeth Cleaning

Xray taken as part of the teeth cleaning and notes being taken by the dental hygienist

Your visit starts with an oral health exam. We may take digital X-rays to check for cavities, bone loss, and issues under the gums, and an off-site overseeing dentist reviews them and helps with diagnosis. Then we use hand tools and, when appropriate, an ultrasonic scaler to gently clean and polish your teeth. If you need a referral to a general or specialty dentist, we coordinate it.
A sealant is a protective coating applied to the deep grooves of a tooth to prevent cavities. Teeth are most vulnerable while erupting, which is why sealants are commonly applied to children's teeth, but they are available to adults too. We use a light-cured glass ionomer varnish, which releases fluoride into the tooth and holds up better than a self-drying sealant.
Silver diamine fluoride, or SDF, is a topical treatment that can stop an early cavity from progressing past the enamel and into the dentin, sometimes sparing a tooth from a filling. It has been in use since the 1970s. SDF turns the treated area black, and it may need to be reapplied over time, so we always discuss the options with you first.
Yes. Our digital X-rays are designed for reduced radiation exposure. An off-site overseeing dentist evaluates them and assists with diagnosis, and we coordinate referrals with your general dentist or a specialist. If you don't have a dentist, we'll help you find one that fits your needs.

Add Us to Your Dental Health Team

We coordinate with your dentist, share records, and communicate about what we are seeing. If you do not have a dentist, we will help you find one that fits. Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us.

Call (719) 429-0620