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:
As more and more studies show, there is a connection between systemic health and oral issues, such as gum disease. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a common gum infection that many people don’t even know they have. This serious condition not only causes tooth loss if it goes untreated, but it can also affect the health of your entire body.
Numerous studies have shown that people with gum disease are at a higher risk of developing serious diseases, including heart problems, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s—just to name a few. When gum disease is present, oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs, causing additional infections. There is still plenty of research to be done, but it seems clear that there is a connection.
This is one of the reasons it’s so important to visit your dentist every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. Many people don’t even know they have gum disease until their dentists see the signs after conducting a periodontal examination. If it is caught early enough, gum disease might be able to be reversed; in its later stages, it can only be managed, and tooth loss cannot be ruled out.
Skipping routine dental appointments can put your entire well-being at risk. Make an appointment today at our St. Louis dental office.
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.
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!
When overall dental health is present, it is recommended you visit the dentist every 6 months to ensure you maintain optimal oral health. If there is a history or current indication of infection, more frequent dental care will be advised.
It is best to replace your toothbrush once every 3-4 months. If you are unsure how long it’s been, simply look for frayed toothbrush bristles. In addition, it is also advised to replace your brush sooner if you have been sick.
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!
"A wonderful experience from start to finish! The front office staff are very friendly and efficient. My hygienist is not only professional and knowledgeable but takes time to explain anything I may have a question about, as well as making me feel totally at ease in the dentists 's chair, even through a deep cleaning.
Dr. Mahlin, whether checking in on a cleaning or repairing a tooth, applies his skill as well personality always leaving me with confidence in my smile. In addition when Dr. Mahlin calls me the evening after a tooth repair just to check in on me, I feel truly cared for!"
- Michael Vrbicky
The team at Clarkson Dental Group want to make dentistry accessible for everyone, which is why we offer a membership plan and periodic dental specials. We have individual membership programs for patients of all ages, including children.
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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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