Preventative Dentistry

At your first dental visit a complete dental exam will be done by your dentist. At that time and at following regular check-up exams, your dentist and hygienist will include:
 

• Diagnostic x-rays (radiographs) will be prescribed according to individual needs. These help diagnose for decay, tumours, cysts, bone loss and tooth positions. Oral cancer screening: Checking your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of cancer and other abnormalities

• Gum disease evaluation: This checks your gums and bone around your teeth for signs of periodontal (gum) disease.

• Examination of each tooth:  This checks for decay and fractures with special dental instruments.

• Examination of existing restorations: we check your fillings, crowns, veneers, implants, dentures, etc. for defects or signs of failure.

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• Professional dental cleanings (scaling, root planing and polishing) are done by Registered Dental Hygienists. Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam by the dentist and:
   

  • Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has formed on the tooth above and below the gum line and can only be removed with dental instruments

  • Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film.  It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva on the tooth. The bacteria produce toxins that contribute  to inflammation of the gums, cause periodontal disease and may also affect your general health!

  • Teeth polishing:  This removes stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.

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• Dental radiographs (x-rays) are an essential, preventative, diagnostic tool that give valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go unseen.
   

• Dental x-rays may reveal:

  • Decay between the teeth

  • Abscesses or cysts

  • Bone loss

  • Cancerous and non-cancerous tumours

  • Developmental abnormalities

  • Poor tooth and root positions

  • Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

  • Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and save your teeth!

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• Gingivitis: this is the term for gum inflammation
   

• Periodontitis: this is the term for inflammation of the bone and soft tissue around your teeth.  These are the supporting structures of your teeth.  This disease can cause the teeth to become loose and fall out. In the early stages, you may not know you have a problem unless you see your dentist.  Signs of Periodontitis can include:

  • a change in the colour of your gums

  • red gums

  • gums that bleed when you brush or floss

  • bad breath that will not go away

  • shiny, puffy or sore gums

  • sensitive teeth

  • loose teeth or space increasing between your teeth

  • receding gums
     

• Gum disease begins with plaque, an invisible sticky film containing bacteria and forms every day on your teeth.  If it is not removed, it can harden into tartar.  This can only be removed by a dental cleaning.  If tartar is not removed it builds up above and below your gum line, making it impossible to properly clean your teeth.
   

• When plaque is not removed, the bacteria produce and release toxins causing gums to become inflamed.  This inflammation breaks down the gum and bone attachment to your teeth, leaving pockets.  Bacteria can grow in these pockets producing more toxins, producing more inflammation, and the cycle continues.  As the attachment of your gums and bone to the teeth lessens, the teeth become loose, move and can fall out or become abscessed and need to be removed.

 

• Preventing Gum Disease:

  • See your dentist regularly

  • Take care of your teeth and gums at home

  • Eat a well balanced diet

  • Don’t smoke anything or chew tobacco

 

• Treating Gum Disease   

  • Depending on the stage, your dentist will uses a combination of promoting good home care, scaling, root planing (deep cleaning), medications or surgery.

  • Your dentist may recommend more frequent dental cleanings for you.  This is to remove the tartar and plaque around your teeth and gums.  Sometimes you may just build up more tartar, or you may have pockets that you can’t keep clean at home, so having more frequent dental cleanings allows these to be scaled and cleaned, reducing the speed or halting the progression of the disease.

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