Who would have thought that dental checkups could be like going to the spa! Music, foam pillows, TV goggles….at Oceana Dental, that’s just a part of the ambiance we create to help you relax and put you in the right frame of mind for your interlude of care.
Looking after for your teeth is health care, because everything that affects your dental health affects the rest of your body. At your checkup, we’ll see how your teeth are doing and clean away any accumulated plaque that could otherwise lead to cavities and gum disease.
The other benefits to our regular checkups include:
- Whiter teeth thanks to our gentle cleaning process.
- Early detection of any tooth or gum issues.
- Early detection of any developing airway or structural issues.
- Early detection of cancers.
We check in on how your health is doing overall, and if needed revisit your current lifestyle, nutrition, and dental hygiene habits.
Sound good? Wonderful! We’re looking forward to seeing you.
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What to expect at your dental checkup and cleaning
Once you’re settled in, we’ll review your overall health situation against the information we have on file to see if anything has changed. If you have requested dental sedation, we will discuss the options with you. Next, your hygienist will clean and polish your teeth, removing stains and making them look their best.
When it’s time for your consultation with Dr. Gaudet, you’ll have a chance to ask any questions about what you can do at home to nurture your best dental health. She’ll examine your teeth, the upper part of your airway, and check your overall structure and alignment.
If there are any changes needed, she will provide you with a specific course of treatment, or refer you to one of our partners, like our nutritionist. You’ll leave the clinic with the knowledge that you are taking charge of your wellbeing!
AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master
AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master is the latest EMS innovation for the "Guided Biofilm Therapy": a unique solution for caries, perio prevention and maintenance. This machine provides painless cleanings with a piezo technology and water heated to body temperature.
How dental cleaning prevents cavities and gum disease
We all try to take care of our teeth, but even if you’re the most dedicated brusher and flosser in the world, you can’t get rid of every scrap of plaque that forms under the gum line.
Plaque is a sticky coating that forms on your teeth, mostly made up of bacteria. After you eat or drink, these bacteria consume small particles and release acids that wear away the enamel. If it’s not removed, it will harden into tartar and can only be removed by a hygienist. Over time, tartar leads to cavities and gum disease.
A professional dental cleaning will remove tartar and plaque that causes both of these conditions.
What is gum disease?
As many as 50% of adults have gum disease, but don’t even know it. The early, milder stages of the disease is called gingivitis, and symptoms include tender, sore or bleeding gums, including when brushing and flossing. But as it progresses it becomes periodontitis, which is characterized by gum and bone loss, and the teeth can become loose and fall out.
In the dental clinic, we can confirm that you have gum disease by looking at x-rays to see if there is any bone loss at or below the gum line (as bone tissue should surround the tooth right up to the bottom of the crown). We can also measure separation of the gums from the tooth using a periodontal probe.
How a professional cleaning improves the look of your teeth
Even healthy foods can wear away tooth enamel, but any acidic food or drink will damage your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to stains. Foods and drinks that can stain include:
- Coffee and most teas, especially if sweetened
- Vinaigrettes or foods with balsamic vinegar
- Blueberries and other dark berries
- Fruit juices
- Red wine
- Beets
Almost any high-carb food will feed the bacteria in plaque. Of course, you should also avoid sweets between meals, and absolutely avoid colas (which combine a large amount of sugar with very high acidity). While you can take steps to minimize the damage from acidic foods yourself, a regular professional cleaning by a hygienist will also help to remove stains.
Oral cancers and
early detection
While examining your mouth, your dentist is in an ideal position to spot any discolourations, lumps, or sores that might be the early warning signs of cancer. The good news, however, is that total recovery is probable if the cancer is found and treated early.
Anyone over forty is at risk of developing oral cancers, especially if they smoke, consume alcohol heavily, or have a poor diet. We can provide you with a full overview of the risk factors, and can recommend a cancer screening if we suspect there may be a problem.
