Professional Dental Cleanings

At Three Rivers Dental, we believe that dental cleanings do more than just keep your teeth bright—they’re an essential part of maintaining long-term oral and overall health. But great dental care isn’t just about the treatment; it’s about the experience. Our team takes the time to get to know you, understand your concerns, and ensure your visit is comfortable, stress-free, and tailored to your needs.

Regular teeth cleanings are paramount to your overall physical well-being. Contact Three Rivers Dental in Columbia Falls, MT, to learn more about how teeth cleanings can help you.

The Dental Cleaning Process at Three Rivers Dental

A dental cleaning (prophylaxis) is a preventive treatment performed on healthy teeth and gums to maintain oral health and prevent issues like gingivitis and periodontal disease. Routine cleanings are only performed on patients with healthy gum tissue, meaning there is no significant bleeding, pain, or signs of inflammation. 

Our knowledgeable hygienists provide thorough, gentle dental cleanings while maintaining patient comfort. For patients with healthy gums and no active periodontal disease, a standard dental cleaning includes:

  1. Health Exam: A general oral health exam is performed to check for any pre-existing issues.
  2. Tooth Polishing: The teeth are polished to remove surface stains and plaque buildup.
  3. Ultrasonic Scaling: An ultrasonic scaler is used to initially remove tartar deposits.
  4. Hand Scaling: Any remaining tartar is carefully removed using hand instruments.
  5. Flossing: The cleaning is completed with a thorough flossing to ensure all debris is removed.

We will also provide oral hygiene instructions on proper flossing and brushing technique.

We help patients who want to improve their overall health and lifestyle by providing guidance on habits that support both their dental and general well-being. Dental education is also a crucial part of each dental checkup. We provide oral hygiene instructions on proper flossing and brushing techniques to help patients maintain a healthy, lasting smile. In addition, we will use the help of our dental technology to help patients visualize potential areas of concern or to suggest additional treatments.

When Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing) Is Needed

If a patient experiences bleeding, tenderness, or inflammation, it may indicate gum disease or unhealthy gum tissue. In these cases, a non-surgical periodontal therapy called scaling and root planing (SRP) is necessary to remove tartar and bacteria below the gumline, helping to heal the gums and prevent further bone loss.

Dental Cleanings Are Vital

Biannual dental visits are essential to reduce the risk of additional dental work or care. Regular dental treatments provide patients with valuable information to address:

Scheduling regular dental visits helps Dr. Evon to be able to spot tooth trauma before permanent damage takes place.

Even minor tooth damage can spread to other areas of your teeth. These appointments contain these concerns to help you save time and money.

Regular appointments can help address concerns such as sleep apnea, TMJ disorder, and even oral cancer.

Experience Advanced Care With Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)

At Three Rivers Dental, we use Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) for a more advanced, thorough, and comfortable approach to gum disease treatment and preventive cleanings. This state-of-the-art technology removes harmful plaque and bacteria with precision, offering a gentler and more effective alternative to traditional methods.

Unlike standard cleanings that focus primarily on teeth, GBT ensures a cleaner whole mouth by targeting teeth, gums, tongue, and other soft tissues where bacteria and biofilm accumulate. Using a combination of air polishing, warm water, and specialized powders, GBT gently eliminates biofilm—the leading cause of gum disease—without the discomfort of traditional scraping. Patients often find this approach to be minimally invasive, more comfortable for sensitive gums, and highly effective in maintaining long-term oral health.

Experience the benefits of a cleaner, healthier mouth with GBT! Schedule your appointment today to discover a gentler, more advanced way to care for your smile.

Fluoride Treatment: Fluoride Varnish in Columbia Falls

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, including the oceans. We evaluate a patient’s need for fluoride on an individual basis. 

Fluoride varnish is placed on teeth in our office. This substance helps teeth become stronger and more resistant to decay. Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults but also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay is visible.

Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings

Periodontal maintenance cleanings are performed following periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing). During this appointment, bacterial plaque and calculus both above and below the gumline are removed. 

To further customize and tailor treatment to your individual needs, we also offer salivary testing. This allows us to analyze the specific bacteria present in your mouth and develop a personalized periodontal care plan that effectively targets the root cause of gum disease.

We recommend scheduling visits biannually to avoid infection or decay. Call our office today to schedule an appointment.

Though your mouth may feel healthy and you may not have any symptoms, periodontal disease can progress without a patient knowing. In fact, 70% of the population has periodontal disease. 

Periodontal disease and gingivitis occur when bacteria from plaque colonize the gingival (gum) tissue, either above or below the gum line. These bacteria colonies cause serious inflammation and irritation which in turn produce a chronic inflammatory response in the body.

As a result, the body begins to systematically destroy gum and bone tissue, which may cause the teeth to shift, become unstable, or completely fall out. 

The pockets between the gums and teeth become deeper and house more bacteria which may travel via the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body. If left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the supporting bones in your mouth. This is why early treatment and prevention is so important!

Periodontal scaling and root planing (SRP) is a non-surgical procedure performed by one of our licensed hygienists. SRP is the initial treatment for periodontal disease, which is the loss of jaw bone supporting the teeth.

Careful cleaning of the root surfaces removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from the deep periodontal pockets and smoothes the tooth root surfaces. We typically get a patient numb so they are more comfortable for their procedure. Patients will require ongoing periodontal maintenance care to maintain oral health for long-term health and development.


Book Teeth Cleanings with our Three Rivers Dental Team

We love building lasting relationships with our patients and making every visit a positive experience. Whether you’re a longtime patient or visiting for the first time, you’ll always be treated with kindness, respect, and individualized care. Call us today to schedule your next dental cleaning and experience a fresh approach to dental care.