Dental Cleanings & Exams in Saskatoon
Dental examinations and hygiene are recommended biannually for most patients by your Saskatoon dentist. This involves a full evaluation of the teeth and gums via visual/tactile exam and x-rays for any signs of dental and oral issues. Once these steps are carried out, your dentist or hygienist will thoroughly scale your teeth to remove calculus and debris that you are unable to remove on your own.
The Importance of Oral Care
The key to keeping your teeth and mouth in the best condition is to brush and floss your teeth twice a day, as well as attend regular visits to your Saskatoon dental clinic. Conducting dental exams and cleaning sessions every six months can aid in maintaining good oral health as well as prevent oral health issues from arising. By visiting your dentist every biannually, you are also able to detect signs or symptoms of oral issues and prevent these issues from worsening.
Hygiene care by a dental professional is an essential component of ensuring your mouth is cleaned adequately using the proper dental instruments that fit and scrape between the crevices of your teeth.
The dental exam includes the following:
- Digital X-rays: are used for the examination of the bones and teeth in areas not visible to the eye. This is done to detect any form of decay, tumor, cysts and bone loss within the oral cavity that go unnoticed on the surface.
- Complete evaluation of the Gums: the gums and tissue surrounding the teeth are checked to determine if there is any sign of conditions such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, or receding gums.
- Examination of the Teeth: the teeth are observed closely to determine if there is decay or damage present. Decay must be properly removed, and the teeth restored at a subsequent appointment to ensure the patient’s oral health.
- Screening for Oral cancer: a full head and neck examination will allow your dentist to look and for any tissue changes. This will involve the dentist checking the patient’s face, neck, tissue and gums to detect any signs or symptoms of oral cancer. If lesions or tumors are detected, your Saskatoon dentist will refer you to a specialist for more testing.
What to Expect
Every dental cleaning will start with an oral exam. During this exam your Saskatoon dentist will examine your teeth and gums for any signs of dental problems such as gingivitis or tooth decay. If a year has passed since your last dental x-rays, you may be required to have new ones to taken to ensure there are no oral issues beneath the surface. After this has been completed, the cleaning process will begin by removing tartar and plaque from the gum line and teeth using a scaler.
The buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth can be prevented by maintaining a good oral care routine, which involves regular brushing and flossing. After this step, a gritty toothpaste will be used to clean the teeth using a high-powered electric brush. Deep cleaning and the removal of tartar residue will occur during this step.
After this, your mouth will be rinsed to wash away any type of debris. This is usually done with a fluoride tainted liquid. Fluoride treatment is the last step of the cleaning process. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early decay. This is done to ensure your teeth and gums are protected from the formation of cavities. A dentist in his or her office can also apply fluoride to the teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish.
* All dental services offered at Saskatoon Smiles are provided by general dentists at each location.