Dental Exams & Cleanings Regina, SK
Dental Cleanings and Exams
Dental cleanings and exams at Southland Dental Clinic of Regina are designed to improve and protect the health of your mouth. We pay special attention to the following factors during every appointment:
- Lymph nodes and lower jaw joints
- Signs of gum disease, loose or broken teeth, tooth decay, and other damage
- Changes in the way your gums cover your teeth
- Overall cleanliness of your teeth and gums
- Any signs of oral cancer
Of course, every dental exam also involves a cleaning to remove plaque that regular brushing and flossing often miss. In addition, hardened plaque, tartar, can only be removed via a professional cleaning. We also apply fluoride if needed. Topical fluoride is a simple yet powerful way to protect teeth from cavities, especially if you have tooth enamel problems, dry mouth, or generally poor oral health.
Southland Dental Clinic of Regina
2905 Gordon Rd, Regina, SK S4S 6H7
Monday: 7:30am-4pm
Tuesday: 7:30am-4pm
Wednesday: 7:30am-4pm
Thursday: 7:30am-4pm
What Happens During A Dental Cleaning?
Teeth cleaning is a simple and painless process. Knowing what to expect prior to your appointment will take away any apprehension and allow you to enjoy the process and the results.
Step 1: Physical Exam
Most teeth cleanings are performed by our highly qualified, registered dental hygienists. Prior to any cleaning, they will conduct a comprehensive physical exam of your entire mouth.
Step 2: Scaling
With the use of a scaling tool, the dental hygienist will remove any plaque and tartar from around your gum line, as well as in between your teeth. Scaling is a more extensive procedure than a standard dental cleaning because this it involves cleaning the areas below the gum line.
However, this is an important part of professional teeth cleaning because it prevents the development or progression of gum disease.
Step 3: Polish
Once your teeth are plaque-free, the dental hygienist will use a high-powered electric brush to removes any residual tartar.
Step 4: Fluoride Treatment
The last step in the teeth cleaning process is a fluoride treatment where a foamy gel is put into a pan and onto your teeth to sit for a one minute. This foamy gel acts as a protectant for your teeth to help fight cavities.
Benefits of Regular Dental Cleanings
Regular professional teeth cleanings will remove plaque, tartar buildup and staining from your teeth and improve your dental health.
Other significant benefits of dental cleanings include:
- Gum disease prevention
- Minimizes risk of a heart attack or stroke
- Minimizes risk of other illnesses including diabetes, dementia and oral cancer.
- Early detection of dental problems saves you money in the long run.
- Fresh breath
- Brighter smile
- Tooth loss prevention
WE'D LOVE TO MEET YOU!
New patients are always welcome! Let's discuss your dental health together.
How Long Does a Deep Teeth Cleaning Take?
For our dental hygienists to perform a comprehensive dental cleaning, it takes approximately 30-60 minutes.
This depends on several factors including:
- X-rays that need to be taken.
- Amount of plaque build up on your teeth.
- Whether or not the dentist will need to perform an exam.
- Period since your last dental cleaning.
X-Rays At Your Dental Cleaning
Digital x-ray imaging is also an important part of your regular dental cleaning appointments. Your dentist uses digital x-rays to produce detailed images of your teeth, gums, and bone. This is important because x-rays make it possible to evaluate your oral health and detect, diagnose, and treat existing conditions and diseases.
WE'D LOVE TO MEET YOU!
New patients are always welcome! Let's discuss your dental health together.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Following your dental cleaning, you can expect clean teeth, fresh breath, and an attractive smile. Dental cleanings are painless, and usually take less than 45 minutes.
During your cleaning, our dentists will scrape off any plaque on your teeth, and then clean and polish your teeth to remove bacteria biofilm on and between your teeth. We may also provide a fluoride treatment if it seems that your teeth are at a higher risk for tooth decay.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that both children and adults receive a professional teeth cleaning and exam twice a year.
Patients with a history of periodontal disease or another recurring oral disease or condition may require more frequent treatments.
You should brush your teeth in the morning and before you go to bed, or after each meal.
You should also floss daily, and rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. This will help keep your teeth and gums healthy between dental cleanings.
Remember to change your toothbrush every 2-3 months, and avoid using hard-bristled toothbrushes, and this can cause tooth sensitivity and promote bleeding gums.
If you are experiencing dental pain, contact our dentists. Waiting could make the problem worse, and early treatment is always easier to perform, less invasive, and less expensive.
Dental cleanings keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, and help you avoid paying for expensive dental procedures in the future. For example, when gum disease is left untreated, you may require deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), gum grafting, bone grafting, or a tooth replacement.
The human mouth is full of bacteria. Some forms of bacteria are beneficial to your oral health, while some can be extremely damaging.
When harmful bacteria accumulate on your teeth, they release acids that erode dental enamel and inflame the gums, causing tooth decay, periodontal disease, discolouration, and tooth loss.
Other oral diseases may also develop as a result of these conditions. Practicing good oral hygiene at home and receiving regular dental cleanings help to remove harmful bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your mouth and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
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