Cleaning and Examinations

Comprehensive Dental Check-ups

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends dental visits at least twice per year. Regular exams and professional cleanings can help to ensure optimal oral health. At McKinney Dental, our team consistently provides high-quality dental cleanings and thorough preventive exams.

Professional cleanings rid the teeth of harmful plaque and tartar build-up. This is important for preventing tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues. Additionally, professional cleaning by our hygienist may remove some surface stains. This can help keep your teeth looking whiter and brighter.

During your examination, we will also:

• Evaluate your overall oral health
• Discuss oral hygiene practices and habits
• Check your bite and jaw for any issues
• Evaluate your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer
• Evaluate existing tooth restorations
• Take dental x-rays if necessary
• Regular professional dental cleanings and exams are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.

Oral Cancer Screenings

In the United States alone, one adult dies every hour from oral cancer. When oral cancers are identified in the initial stages, treatment can begin more quickly. In the initial stages, treatment has a higher rate of success and is less invasive. In more advanced stages, oral cancers are more likely to have spread to other areas and need complex treatment.

Dr. McKinney recommends having an oral cancer screening at least once each year. Regular screenings can help ensure early detection of any potential cancers. During your oral cancer screening, Dr. McKinney will check for any abnormalities. We will closely examine your mouth, throat, lips, gums, and tongue. Let us know about any potential symptoms you have experienced, including:

• Pain or difficulty with speaking, swallowing, or moving your jaw or tongue
• A sensation that something is caught in the back of your throat
• Sore throat with no other sinus symptoms
• Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
• Drastic weight loss
• White or red patches in your mouth
• Mouth sores that do not heal
• Unexplained ear pain
• Unexplained bleeding in your mouth

If you have experienced any of these symptoms for more than a week without improvement, call us immediately for an appointment.

Anyone may develop oral cancer, but certain factors can increase your risk. Some of the most common include:

• Being male (men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women)
• Use of tobacco in any form (6 times more likely)
• Genetic predisposition for oral cancers
• Excessive or prolonged exposure to sun
• Unhealthy diet
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Having gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Night Guards

Unconscious grinding of the teeth during sleep is a condition known as bruxism. If you are grinding your teeth in your sleep most nights, you should contact our office for a night guard.

A night guard is a removable dental appliance that is similar to an athletic mouth guard. It provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth to protect them while you sleep. Dr. McKinney will custom-fit your night guard to ensure your comfort and safety. Night guards can protect your teeth from wear, gum irritation, enamel damage, and jaw pain.

To create your night guard, we take a digital scan of your jaw and send it to a lab to be made, rather than putting a tray of putty/silicone material into your mouth. The digital scanner captures highly detailed 3D images of a patient’s teeth, gums, and oral structures using optical and/or laser technology to capture thousands of images per second. Once captured, the images are put together to create a precise 3D model. Usually in about a week, your night guard will be sent to our office for you to pick up.

At your appointment, Dr. McKinney will discuss other ways to help reduce or eliminate night grinding. This may include avoiding chewing gum, alcohol, and caffeine, as these increase the risks of grinding.

Strengthening Your Teeth with Fluoride Treatments

At McKinney Dental, we offer fluoride treatment to prevent tooth decay for our patients. According to the ADA, fluoride intake is often recommended for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. During this time, primary and permanent teeth are developing.

Fluoride is applied to the teeth in a varnish form using a brush. Fluoride helps by making the tooth more resistant to the build-up of decay-causing plaque and sugars. It can also speed re-mineralization as well as disrupt acid erosion in teeth.

In addition to receiving fluoride treatment at our dental office, it can be applied to the teeth through fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses. Mouth rinses containing fluoride in lower strengths are available over-the-counter. However, stronger mouth rinses can be prescribed as needed. Dr. McKinney will advise you about your child’s fluoride needs.

Shielding Your Teeth from Decay with Sealing Treatments

Sealants are highly effective in preventing tooth decay and cavities on your molars and premolars. These areas are the most susceptible to cavities due to the deep grooves (fissures) and pits.

Typically, children get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. These sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

The process of applying sealants is easy and fast. The application steps are as follows:

• We thoroughly clean the teeth
• The teeth are dried
• A liquid solution is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth

Sealants act as a barrier and protect the enamel from plaque and acids. They may last for several years before a reapplication is needed. While the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay.

Sealants are not a substitute for brushing your teeth. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene and keep up with professional dental cleanings. Also, sealants do not protect between the teeth, so it is essential to continue to floss daily.

Children’s Dentistry

It’s vital to instill healthy habits in your children from an early age, and dental habits are no exception. Encourage your child to listen to the dental team during their visit, and be sure to make sure they understand that visiting a dentist twice a year is vital to keeping their teeth bright and healthy. At home, always stress brushing and flossing twice a day.

The best way to maintain your child’s oral health is to start their dental care early and often. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child’s first visit to the dentist be when you see their first teeth emerging or by their first birthday.

Early check-ups can catch signs of tooth decay before it gets out of control. Bringing your child to visit us twice a year will help prevent the onset of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues. During each visit, we’ll clean your child’s teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup. We’ll also check for early signs of issues with the teeth and gums. Our staff is experienced in working with children. We’ll ensure your child knows what’s happening and engage them in the process so they’re comfortable in our office.

Tooth decay is becoming a common illness for adolescents and teens, and we can teach your child how to properly avoid it. We’ll talk to them about hygiene habits like brushing and flossing, and healthy food choices such as avoiding sugars and hard foods.

Fluoride is a key component of treating your child’s teeth. It’s a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and makes teeth more resistant to decay. We offer in-office fluoride treatments and can recommend toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain fluoride so you can continue its use at home.

Another way to help your child prevent tooth decay is to have their teeth treated with sealants. Sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to protect them from damage and decay.

The best way to ensure your child keeps up with their oral health is to stress to them that their care is a partnership between them and their hygienist.

It’s easy for your child to experience a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums with your help. Contact McKinney Dental today to schedule a dental exam and cleaning for your child to set them on the path to the best possible oral health.

What Our Patients Are Saying

Emergency Dental Care

Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, causing pain and discomfort that require immediate attention. Our dedicated team is here to provide prompt and effective care, usually within 24 hours. Whether you’re dealing with a severe toothache, a broken tooth, or any other urgent dental issue, we are committed to keeping you as comfortable as possible and providing solutions. Don’t let dental emergencies disrupt your life; trust us to provide expert care and restore your oral health with the urgency it deserves.