Dental Cleaning and regular exams
What is a professional dental cleaning and why is it needed?
A professional dental cleaning involves the removal of dental plaque (biofilm) and tartar from teeth. Regular dental cleanings at your dentist office will help preventing tooth decay,gingivitis and periodontal disease.
The progression of periodontal disease may lead to bigger problems such as damage to the bones and tissues in the mouth. Gum disease can also cause tooth loss and have major implications on your overall health.
Careful oral hygiene at home is very important but even the most vigilant brusher and flosser, may sometimes experience a bacterial build up. Furthermore, over time calcium deposits (known as tartar or calculus) will build up on your teeth. This can provide bacteria the perfect environment to thrive in when close to gums. Therefore having regular regular professional dental cleanings is very important to maintain your oral health.
A professional dental cleaning involves several stages:
- Scaling: During this session, our hygienists use special ultrasonic and manual tools to remove hardened deposits that could not be removed by routine brushing and flossing at home.
- Prophylaxis: Once your teeth are plaque free, our dental hygienist will polish them with an electronic instrument and a special toothpaste to remove any surface stains. Your teeth will feel smooth and clean.
- Flossing: This is the final step. Your dental hygienist will remove the plaque in the areas between your teeth.
XRays: Normally we take x-rays once a year. This helps in identifying potential trouble spots and prevent them from progressing. Once your cleaning is complete, the dentist will do your exam.
Why should I have regular dental exams?
Routine dental exams are the most efficient way of identifying dental problems or any abnormalities in the mouth. Regular dental exams also allow to provide timely treatment to prevent potential issues from growing in size and severity. This will save you from having to undergo potentially complicated and costly procedures in the future.
During your regular checkups we will ask you about any changes in your health condition since your last visit, including new medications you are taking or any surgical procedures you’ve had so that we can add this new information to your patient file.
Your dental check-up will be performed by Dr. Mauricio Galvis, West Island dentist in Pointe-Claire, along with one of our experienced dental hygienists, Alison, Rania or Ana, who takes care of your dental hygiene session- cleaning.
How often should I have a professional dental cleaning and exam?
After your first appointment and complete oral exam we, as well as the Ordre des dentistes du Québec, recommend regular visits every six months. However, the frequency of your visits will be assessed by the dentist based on your specific condition.
