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Cleanings and Prevention

It might seem counterintuitive, but one of our goals at House Family Dental is to help make sure you need our services as rarely as possible!

We place a strong emphasis on preventive care. Regular examinations and cleanings are the best way for you to keep your teeth healthy and avoid most dental issues. Cleanings help prevent cavities and gum disease, and examinations allow us to catch any problems that might be developing at the earliest possible moment. In many cases, even dental emergencies can be prevented because strong, healthy teeth that are free from decay and other problems are far less likely to break or develop an infection.

I Brush My Teeth Every Day. Why Do I Need a Cleaning?

We hear this question all the time. First, we want to congratulate you for taking such great care of your teeth! Secondly, we want to emphasize the difference between the important care you provide at home and the professional cleaning we provide.

When you brush and floss, you are removing the daily debris that accumulates. Daily brushing and flossing help to reduce plaque build-up and keeps bacteria to a minimum. Over time, plaque will build up in hard-to-reach areas, particularly between the teeth and just below the gumline. These small plaque deposits will eventually harden into tartar, which can only be removed with professional instruments.

At your six-month check-up, your hygienist will carefully examine your teeth with specialized instruments that allow us to remove plaque and tartar. At the same time, your hygienist will keep a trained eye out for any problems such as potential areas of decay or the signs of gum disease.

Your Dental Examination

Routine examinations are an opportunity for you and your dentist to assess your current level of dental health and determine whether treatment is needed. During your exam, your dentist will look over your entire mouth visually, using an intraoral camera, and with digital x-rays. This thorough evaluation will help make sure that any developing problems – from cavities to oral cancer – are caught at the earliest possible moment.

The sooner we can catch problems, the easier they are to treat. We think that’s a win-win for everyone.

Ongoing Preventive Care

To help you get the most out of your preventive care appointments, your dentist and hygienist will review your home care techniques with you and provide advice and recommendations. We will also discuss whether you might benefit from preventive services such as:

Fluoride, a mineral that helps strengthen the enamel
Sealants, a covering that protects deep grooves in the back teeth
Mouth guards, a customized protective device for athletes

Even if you aren’t happy with your current level of dental health, we’ll help restore your health and then provide guidance so that you can maintain it.

To schedule your next check-up, give us a call today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I brush and floss?

Brushing and flossing are a crucial part of your preventive care. A diligent home care routine, combined with regular visits to our practice for professional cleanings and examinations, will help prevent most common dental concerns, including decay and gum disease.

Ideally, we want to see you brushing at least twice per day and flossing at least once per day. The best time to brush is after breakfast and before you go to bed. The best time to floss is before the bedtime brushing.

Of course, how you brush and floss is just as important as how often you brush and floss. Make sure that you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure. Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with bristles that are too firm can damage your enamel and cause gum recession. Gently scrub for about two minutes, 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth. If you find that you are rushing, there are several free smart phone apps that you can download to help you time your brushing. Kid-themed apps are also available to help make brushing fun for children!

Hold your brush at an angle so that the bristles massage your gums. This will help to break up any plaque that is accumulating beneath the gumline.

Your dentist or hygienist will be happy to review good brushing and flossing technique with you and provide a hands-on demonstration!

How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?

In most cases, we recommend a professional cleaning and check-up twice a year. Sometimes, however, we may recommend that you come see us more often. Cases in which we may recommend more frequent visits include:

Active periodontal disease treatment
Frequent decay issues
Rechecks on restorative dentistry
Monitoring of a particular condition
Orthodontic treatment (brackets and wires have a tendency to make brushing and flossing more challenging, and we want to avoid damage to your enamel during your treatment)

We believe strongly in clear communication with each of our patients. If we are concerned or feel you need more frequent treatment, we will always let you know exactly why so that you can make informed decisions about your dental health. If you ever have concerns or questions about your treatment, we encourage you to ask us.

Routine cleanings are an important step in the prevention of decay and gum disease, and regular examinations help us catch any problems that do develop at an early stage. This allows for more comfortable, less costly, and much simpler dental treatment in the long run – a win-win for everybody! As much as we love our patients and enjoy visiting with you, ideally, we'd like to just see you twice a year and avoid problems altogether!

Can I schedule a new appointment for just a cleaning?

At House Family Dental, we believe in fixing problems – not overlooking them!

As a new patient to our practice, our first steps will be performing a comprehensive examination and taking x-rays. The dentist will then examine your entire mouth and recommend a treatment plan to take care of the problems that are bothering you today and prevent small issues from getting bigger and more expensive. We will also schedule you for an appropriate cleaning based on your dental health and any active conditions you might have. For instance, a person with active periodontal disease will need a different type of cleaning than a person whose teeth and gums are healthy.

No matter what your current state of dental health is, we will help you improve your habits and feel better. We have heard from patients who felt shamed or judged by their previous provider, and we want to assure you that we will never do this. You will always be treated with empathy and compassion. Our goal is to meet you where you are and take steps toward a better future.

If you are looking for a new dentist in the Pueblo West or Canon City area, please call today to schedule your first appointment.

Do you treat children?

Yes! We love treating children! In fact, Dr. Driscoll and Dr. House originally planned to open a pediatric dental office, but when parents saw how great the office was, they wanted to be able to come too! Today, we serve the entire family in a beautiful office designed to help everyone feel comfortable and at home.

Both Dr. House and Dr. Driscoll have a background in providing dental care for children, including kids with special needs. We also offer hospital dentistry for those who need it.

Building good dental habits from an early age is so important. Not only does this improve your chances of having healthy teeth for a lifetime, it also considerably reduces the risk of children developing anxiety about going to the dentist. Dental fear is so common in our society, and we want to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. We make going to the dentist fun, and parents tell us that their kids are actually excited to come to our practice! From the "cavity-free tree" to our regular giveaways, kids have a great time at our office, and we are always happy to see them.

Why do I need x-rays?

X-rays allow the dentist to see things that can't be seen by the naked eye, and helps your dentist conduct a comprehensive exam. We like to tell our patient's that you wouldn't get an oil change without letting the mechanic open the hood. So why would you get a dental cleaning without first getting x-rays?

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Mark House, DMD, FAGD

Dr. Mark House graduated with a dental degree from Washington University in 1985. In 1987, he opened a very successful practice on the north side of Pueblo. After 13 years, Dr. House decided to sell his practice in order to travel with his wife, Diane, for a year. Dr. Mark and Diane eventually settled back down in Pueblo West. He has been the proud owner of House Family Dental since 2006. Dr Mark also served on the Colorado Dentists Professional Liability Trust of Colorado.

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