An important part of a patient’s first appointment to a dental office is the examination of the head and neck. The registered dental hygienist or dentist will be checking to see if these tissues are normal or if there are any conditions requiring further investigation...
Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat periodontitis before it becomes severe and hard to manage. Root planing is the procedure when hard and soft bacterial deposits are removed from between the gums and the teeth down to the roots...
Polishing removes plaque and stains from coffee, tea, cigarettes,berries, red wine etc. It is a selective procedure and not all teeth surfaces should be polished. Polishing is done using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end...
Some people do build up tartar on their dentures just as they would on their natural teeth. If plaque is not removed properly, it can react with your saliva and harden into tartar. As with your own teeth, you will not be able to remove this tartar completely yourself and eventually it can make the denture uncomfortable and unsightly...
Oral hygiene education is an essential part of any dental hygiene appointment. At Competitive Dental Hygiene Clinic we're committed to educate our patients on oral health conditions, dental procedures, and proper oral hygiene techniques...
Dentinal hypersensitivity is unfortunately very common.If you have sensitive teeth, desensitizing toothpaste like Sensodyne can be recommended. It contains compounds that help block the transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve...
The registered dental hygienist will be checking to see if there are conditions requiring further investigation.
Screening for oral cancer is quick and easy, with no pain or discomfort involved. It’s critical for early diagnosis and prevention. It takes less than five minutes, and can be done by your dental hygienist or dentist at your regular check-up appointment. Your dental hygienist will be looking for any lumps or abnormalities, red, white or grey areas and/or tenderness.
What to expect
Your dental professional should:
1. Physically examine and inspect your gums and cheeks.
2. Examine and inspect the floor, and roof of your mouth.
3. Touch and inspect the lymph nodes in your neck area, examine the inside and outside of your lips, your major salivary glands (cheeks and floor of mouth), as well as your jaw (TMJ).
4. Visually inspect your face for signs of asymmetry or swelling.
5. Pull out tongue with gauze and inspect posterior, sides, bottom and top.
6. Have you extend your tongue and say “ahhh” in order to inspect the back of your mouth and your throat.
7. Ask about your smoking and/or drinking habits, your lifestyle and any specific health conditions you have or medications you are taking which could affect the condition of your mouth, head and neck area.
A periodontal examination involves checking the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. First, your dental hygienist will look at the gums for signs of redness or puffiness. She may poke them gently to see how easily they bleed. Bleeding gums is a sign of inflammation and indicates gum disease caused by bacteria. Your hygienist may use a special instrument (the probe), to measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and your gums. Pockets deeper than 3 millimeters often indicate periodontal disease. If your hygienist determines that you have periodontal disease, he or she may refer you to a periodontist. This is a specialist who treats diseases of the gums.
Keep in mind that healthy gums help serve as an anchor to keep your teeth in place. If your gums look coral pink (not red) and don’t bleed when you brush or floss, those are good signs. If you have bad breath, plaque and tartar accumulation, bleeding and tender gums, you should see your dental hygienist. At early stages, gum disease is reversible.
Dental cleaning, or dental prophylaxis, means eliminating plaque, calculus, and extrinsic stains from all tooth surfaces, both exposed and unexposed, as a preventive strategy to minimize local irritants and support oral health.
This is what our Registered Dental Hygienist is doing during your professional dental cleaning. Plaque and tartar above and below the gum line are removed by scaling the teeth. This is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Scaling can be done using hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers.
Extrinsic stains on your enamel, such as those caused by coffee, tea, red wine, smoking/tobacco, are removed simply by polishing.
After cleaning is complete, some patients are given fluoride. This helps prevent enamel sensitivity and reduce caries risk in patients who are prone to cavities.
Dental sealants are applied on the chewing surfaces of back teeth (usually the premolars and molars). Deep pits and fissures of back teeth trap plaque and food particles causing cavities. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth (the most caries vulnerable areas) forming a protective barrier over the enamel by “sealing out” plaque and food.
How Are Sealants Applied?
Applying sealant is a simple and painless procedure. It takes only a few minutes for your hygienist to apply the sealant on the appropriate teeth. The application steps are as follows:
1. The teeth that require sealants are thoroughly cleaned.
2. The teeth are then dried and isolated, using an absorbent material to keep it dry.
3. An etching solution is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, creating a rough surface which will allow for a stronger bond between the tooth and resin-based material.
4. The etching solution and teeth are then rinsed and dried.
5. Sealant is then applied onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth and hardens by self-curing, or the use of a special curing light.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants are softer than natural teeth, so can slowly wear away over time. Sealants need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Depending on diet and habits, sealants can last up to 10 years.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Sealants?
Many insurance companies cover the cost of sealants. We check with your dental insurance carrier to determine if sealants are covered under your plan.
Rather than avoiding certain foods, or using a sensitive toothpaste, we offer a simple and quick procedure for sensitive teeth. Extreme sensitivity caused by gum recession or dentin exposure can be treated with the application of a desensitizing agent that blocks the exposed dentin or root surface, reducing pain and sensitivity.
Dentures should be professionally cleaned regularly.
Tartar can develop on dentures, just as they would on natural teeth. If plaque is not removed properly, it can react with your saliva and harden into tartar, also known as calculus.
Lack of professional denture cleanings may cause the following:
NOTE: Teeth whitening is a selective procedure. Not all clients are suitable candidates for whitening treatment. (Results vary between patients.) Our dental hygienist will be more than happy to answer all your questions about teeth whitening.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
– Extrinsic stains (surface): Coffee, tea, wine, smoking, etc.
-Intrinsic stains (inside the tooth): Aging, trauma, certain medications (like tetracycline).
*Intrinsic stains are harder to treat and often require professional whitening to get the job done.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The active ingredients in teeth whitening products are what make them effective at removing stains and lightening tooth color. The most common ones are hydrogen peroxide, and carbamide peroxide.
Hydrogen Peroxide is the most common bleaching agent. It breaks down into water and oxygen. The oxygen molecules then penetrate the enamel (outer most layer of the tooth) and dentin (beneath the enamel) to break apart stain compounds. This agent is used in both in-office treatments (15-40%) and some over-the-counter products (lower concentrations).
Carbamide Peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea (a compound naturally found in saliva). This agent releases peroxide more slowly, so it’s often used in at-home whitening kits (10-35% concentrations). It is gentler, but requires more time than hydrogen peroxide: ideal for overnight or at-home treatments.
Is It Safe?
Generally, teeth whitening is safe when used correctly, however side effects may include, such as:
IMPORTANT: For at-home whitening, make sure to wipe any excess of whitening gel that gets onto your gums. Whitening gel is very potent and can cause chemical burns. If teeth sensitivity occurs, toothpaste such as Sensodyne might help with temporary sensitivity from whitening. Since your teeth are more porous and susceptible to staining after the procedure, try to avoid foods and drinks that may stain your teeth for 24 to 72hrs. Remember, if it can stain a white shirt, it can stain your teeth!
At A. Shine Dental Hygiene Clinic, we offer personalized, affordable, and high-quality care to all ages. We are committed to supporting your long-term oral health in a warm and relaxed space, with flexible hours to fit your schedule. Our skilled, compassionate team uses advanced technology to deliver exceptional preventive dental care in a welcoming environment.
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