At Clarkson Dental Group, good oral health for our patients means establishing a foundation of solid preventive care. This involves collaboration by the patient and the Clarkson Dental Group team. Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It continues in our dental office by the efforts of Dr. Scott Mahlin and our registered dental hygienists, Nikki and Kim, to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.
Call our St. Louis dental office to make an appointment for an examination and cleaning at Clarkson Dental Group. Please let us know how we can help.
At your routine dental visit, Dr. Mahlin will conduct a thorough examination, looking for potential or existing dental issues. Depending on your current oral health and when you last had x-rays, he may also recommend you have dental x-rays. X-rays are an essential diagnostic tool to enable Dr. Mahlin to detect problems in their earliest stages. The sooner we discover a dental issue, the easier the treatment.
One of our dental hygienists, Kim or Nikki, will thoroughly clean your teeth to remove plaque buildup. Despite diligent flossing and brushing at home, it’s impossible to remove all plaque from the teeth. What we miss with our home care tools eventually hardens into calculus that can only be removed with special dental tools. When calculus is not removed, it can lead to gum disease.
If you have questions while you are here, we invite you to ask them. Dr. Mahlin and the team at Clarkson Dental Group can go over proper home care and make recommendations on good brushing and flossing techniques. We may also go over preventive treatments such as sealants and fluoride that can help protect teeth against tooth decay. Our routine dental cleanings start at $151.
At Clarkson Dental Group, our goal is to help every patient maintain a healthy mouth and keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. Some of the benefits of preventive dentistry include the following:
You may need a deep cleaning if you have significant tartar buildup on your teeth or signs of gum disease, such as bone loss, bleeding gums, swelling, and/or tenderness. Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar buildup on teeth and gums leads to inflammation and infection. If left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss and other more serious health problems.
Deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a type of dental cleaning that goes beyond
regular cleaning. It is a procedure that involves removing tartar and plaque buildup from the teeth and gums, including below the gumline. The goal of deep cleaning is to prevent and treat gum disease, which can cause bone, gum, and/or tooth loss, as well as other serious health problems.
A cavity can be reversed if it is addressed early. The early stage of a cavity causes the initial demineralization of tooth structure and there is no physical hole present in the tooth. The progression of a cavity can be repaired at this stage by improved oral hygiene practices of brushing and flossing, along with fluoridated products. Cavities do not heal naturally on their own. If the cavity process continues, the tooth structure that is damaged by decay subsequently creates a physical hole (cavity or opening) in the tooth, and it cannot be reversed. Rather, this hole will gradually become worse due to the bacterial infection in the tooth. The larger cavity that is created will lead to further tooth damage, pain, or/or loss.
At a minimum, you should brush in the morning after you get up and at night before you go to bed. You should also floss at least once per day, preferably at bedtime. Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause tooth decay and dental disease.
When you skip brushing and flossing, you give plaque a chance to build up on your teeth. The bacteria present in plaque will create acids that can cause tooth decay. If the plaque isn’t removed, it will harden into a substance called calculus, which can build up over time, eventually causing gum disease. The formation of plaque is a continuous process, so it’s crucial to stay on top of it with regular brushing and flossing.
Although good home care is an essential element in taking care of your oral health, it’s equally important to see your dentist every six months for examinations and cleanings. Even with diligent brushing and flossing, plaque still builds up and needs to be removed with special dental tools.
Are you overdue for a dental checkup? We are always welcoming new patients to our Chesterfield, MO dental office. Call Clarkson Dental Group today to make an appointment!
Brushing and flossing are effective at removing most food particles and bacteria from the teeth, but they often cannot reach the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Most dental decay occurs in these grooves, usually present in the back molars of the mouth. The back molars are difficult to reach, so they are often not cleaned properly.
A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating that is applied to the teeth, protecting the chewing surfaces from collecting food particles and bacteria. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the teeth below from decay.
Although usually thought of for children only, teenagers and adults can also benefit from dental sealants as part of their preventive care dental program—especially those who are prone to cavities.
Sealants are easy to apply and take just a few minutes per tooth. We can check the integrity of your sealants, monitoring for wear and tear, at your routine dental appointments. Sealants can be reapplied as needed.
Find out more about dental sealants at your top dentist in Chesterfield, MO, Clarkson Dental Group. Call today to make a dental appointment for an examination and teeth cleaning. Ask us about dental sealants and other preventive dental care options.
As more and more scientific studies reveal a connection between oral and systemic health, it’s becoming clear that taking care of your oral health is a big part of taking care of your entire body. Not only does preventive dental care reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, but it can also reduce your risk of developing other health problems. Poor oral health has been linked to:
It might seem like a waste of time to see the dentist if you aren’t experiencing any issues. But many dental problems start small with few if any signs or symptoms. By the time they start causing you pain or discomfort, you might need dental treatment that could have been avoided with routine visits to the dentist. Gum disease, in particular, is often present with no symptoms, and it can quickly progress until you are facing tooth loss.
Call our Chesterfield, MO dental office and make an appointment for a routine examination and teeth cleaning. We look forward to seeing your smile!
I’ve been a patient at Clarkson Dental Group for a while now, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best dental practices I’ve ever experienced. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm and professional atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease.
Dr. Mahlin is exceptional — thorough, skilled, and incredibly compassionate. He takes the time to explain every procedure clearly and genuinely listens to any questions or concerns. It’s clear that he truly cares about his patients’ long-term dental health, not just the quick fix.
Nikki, the dental hygienist, is also fantastic. She’s gentle, meticulous, and has such a friendly, calming presence. My cleanings with her are always comfortable and even enjoyable (which says a lot coming from someone who used to dread dental visits). She makes it easy to maintain good oral health with helpful tips and encouragement.
The entire team at Clarkson Dental Group is professional, kind, and efficient. Scheduling is simple, wait times are minimal, and the office is always spotless and up to date with the latest technology.
If you’re looking for a dental practice that combines expert care with a truly personal touch, I highly recommend Clarkson Dental Group. Dr. Mahlin and Nikki are a phenomenal team!
- Kimberly W
As a family dentist in Chesterfield, MO, I value my patients and encourage them to visit me for routine checkups and teeth cleanings, but there are certainly other reasons to schedule an appointment this spring!
A new year is the perfect time to reset your habits, and your smile deserves a spot on that list. At Clarkson Dental Group, we see how small, consistent changes make a big difference in oral health. As you plan your dental resolutions 2026, focus on goals that are simple, ...
Preventive dentistry helps keep your smile healthy and comfortable for life. Without teeth cleanings and checkups, you’re at serious risk for the following:
Of these issues, gum disease is the most serious. Fortunately, twice-yearly dental checkups and teeth cleanings in Chesterfield, MO, can significantly reduce your ...
These tiny cameras, smaller than even a dental mirror, can make the tiniest nooks and crannies visible to Dr. Mahlin as he looks for potential dental issues. They provide an alternate view of the mouth that even x-rays cannot provide. Patients can also see what Dr. Mahlin sees in real-time, making it easier to understand why specific treatments might be recommended. Intraoral cameras provide an excellent diagnostic tool for the dentist and a clear visual for patients.
Chesterfield native Dr. Scott Mahlin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at St. Louis University. He went on to earn a DDS at the University of Missouri at Kansas City; he did a sedation residency at the University of Alabama. His continuing education includes:
About his work, Dr. Mahlin says, “I understand that dental care is a very personal ...
Our dental office is offering a new patient special for a limited time! This special includes your exam, X-rays, and a regular cleaning for $295.
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