Regular dental hygiene appointments are a key facet of oral health.
What To Expect At Your Dental Hygiene Appointment
It is usually recommended that dental hygiene appointments take place twice a year. During this appointments, your hygienist will examine your mouth for any signs of disease or irritation.
Medical History
If you are a new patient, your dental hygienist will ask about your medical history. This might include questions about any medication you are taking, smoking habits, and any previous dental or orthodontic work you may have had done. If you are a new patient, this part of the appointment may be more in-depth. On the other hand, if you are a returning patient, your hygienist might ask about any issues that were noted at your last appointment.
At this point, your dental hygienist will also ask if you have any specific dental concerns.
Exam
Some dental hygiene appointments include an oral cancer screening, as well as a check of the teeth, gums, and mouth.
This helps your dental hygienist check for issues such as:
- signs of periodontal disease (gingivitis, gum recession, etc)
- signs of tooth decay
- other dental issues
Cleaning
Over time, plaque builds up on teeth. If it is not fully removed by brushing and flossing, the plaque hardens into a substance known as tartar or calculus. Left unattended, these bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
For this reason, a tooth cleaning addresses plaque and tartar.
Your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tarter, in a process called scaling. The process of scaling and debriding involves removing the dental plaque of tartar (calculus).
Depending on your needs, your hygienist might use an ultrasonic cleaner (which many patients know as the tool that sprays water) to remove buildup on the teeth. This provides effective yet completely comfortable treatment that does not irritate the tooth or gums in the way that manual cleaning can.
Polishing
In the polishing stage of treatment, your dental hygienist will use a polishing paste as well as a paste, to remove surface stains on the tooth. Depending on your needs, your hygienist might polish all of your teeth, or only a few. The latter is called selective polishing.
Fluoride Treatment
Your dental hygienist will apply fluoride to your teeth. This helps eliminate tooth sensitivity, strengthen enamel, and prevent tooth decay. Fluoride can be applied as a gel, as a rinse, or as a paint-on product.
Post-Cleaning Discussion
After checking your mouth, your dental health professional will provide you with advice about caring for your teeth.
This might include making suggestions for your oral health routines, such as brushing with a different technique, adding a fluoride rinse, or more.
Contact Us
To schedule a dental hygiene appointment today! Visit our clinic at 1141-3800 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 2K2. Alternatively, you can contact us at (403) 248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.