Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Cleanings & Exams

Each child is different! We will determine the type of preventive care necessary for your child based on your child’s unique needs. If you have concerns about certain types of treatment, call our office; we will be happy to discuss those with you.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Sometimes, a simple teeth whitening procedure is all it takes to put the sparkle back into your smile.

If your staining or discolouration is resistant to whitening, however, we have other ways of improving the appearance of your teeth using cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers, bonding, or porcelain crowns. Call us to find out which of our services is right for you.

A good guideline is to brush your teeth at least twice daily using the proper technique. We can demonstrate this for you so that you get the most out of your brushing. Of course, if your teeth feel dirty or if you eat sugary snacks, brushing your teeth more often can help prevent decay.

The needs of each patient is different and may change throughout your lifetime based on your health needs. We will make a recommendation designed to keep your smile looking and feeling its best. for most patients, twice-yearly visits will help you stay on track. Other patients who suffer from conditions such as gum disease may require more frequent dental visits to stay healthy.

Even with excellent hygiene habits, it is impossible to reach the smallest areas of your teeth with your toothbrush and floss alone. Over time, the missed plaque will harden into tartar, which can only be removed with a dental hygienist's tools. When tartar accumulates beneath the gum line, the end result is red, puffy, inflamed gums — the beginnings of periodontal disease. 

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

In its earliest stages, we can reverse gum disease with the proper dental care and at-home oral hygiene routines. Once gum disease has progressed past a certain point, however, the disease is not reversible and will likely require additional care to keep it from progressing.

Regular dental cleanings and exams will help keep your gums in great shape, but what you do at home matters as well. Brush twice daily and floss every evening. Our hygienists will be happy to show you good brushing and flossing technique if you need a reminder.

Other steps you can take to prevent gum disease include:

• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.
• Eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash. We'll be happy to recommend one.
• If you have a health condition that can affect your dental health such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, please let us know so that we can take extra steps to help keep your gums healthy.

Dental exams allow us to monitor the health of your teeth, gums, jaw joints, bite, and to provide an oral cancer screening. We may use diagnostic x-rays to see what lies beneath the surface of your enamel. By investing in prevention, you can often avoid more serious dental conditions in the future.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

The appropriate treatment for your gum disease will vary depending on your needs. An oral evaluation can help us determine the correct approach. Some treatments may include:

• An increased dedication to excellent oral hygiene
• Antimicrobial rinses and other products
• An antibiotic medication that is placed in the gum pockets
• Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)
• Laser therapy
• Gum surgery

We will discuss your situation with you and recommend the treatment that we believe will be the most appropriate to improve and maintain your oral health.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Teeth staining can have several different causes. Some of the most common culprits we see include:

• Smoking
• Drinking staining beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine
• Eating staining foods like berries and curry
• Inadequate dental hygiene
• Certain health conditions
• Genetics

Contact us for a consultation to determine if we can improve the colour of your teeth.

X-rays allow your dentist to evaluate what is not visible with a visual inspection alone. Often, problems start inside your teeth or beneath the gum line. By the time the problem is visible to the naked eye, it can be painful and more difficult to treat. Using x-rays taken on a regular basis, we can catch problems early and treat them quickly and comfortably.