Dental Hygiene Services in Brantford
Oral health is about more than just your teeth. It’s about being both healthy and happy, possessing the confidence to be yourself, and the ability to #ownyoursmile. At our local Brantford dental office, our dental hygiene team is committed to making this a reality for you by providing the highest standard of dental care. This commitment includes ongoing education, training exercises, monthly team meetings, team building activities, and a dedication to delivering an exceptional experience for our patients every time.
Dental Hygiene Services
During your cleaning appointment, your dental hygienist will take care of you from start to finish. Initial procedures often include bitewing x-rays which are key for detecting cavities. Following this, your dentist will examine these x-rays to diagnose any decay and discuss their findings with you. First-time visitors will undergo periodontal charting to measure the space between your gums and teeth. This is an important step for detecting issues like bleeding gums, bone loss, gum recession, and gum disease. At every appointment, our hygienists perform scaling to remove plaque buildup, followed by polishing your teeth to perfection.
Fluoride Treatments and Sealants
Regular use of fluoride, a natural mineral found in tap water, toothpaste, and mouthwashes, strengthens teeth and prevents decay. Our hygienists recommend fluoride varnishes during routine appointments. Prevident toothpaste, containing a high fluoride concentration, is suggested for patients who are at high risk for cavities.
Dental sealants are applied after teeth cleanings to prevent food from getting stuck between the grooves. This protects your teeth from decay caused by food particles in tooth grooves.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer screenings are integral to initial and routine cleanings at our dental hygiene clinic. They are vital as many patients are unaware of oral cancer signs and symptoms. We encourage our patients to book an appointment if they notice anything unusual in or around their mouths.
Importance of Regular Dental Visits
Regular visits to our dental hygiene clinic are essential. Even with diligent at-home care, professional cleaning is necessary to remove plaque and tartar that can lead to cavities. These visits also include oral cancer checks and bitewing x-rays to identify issues invisible to the naked eye. Keeping on top of your x-rays helps catch issues before they worsen. And your routine cleanings help keep your mouth healthy and clean.
Dental Hygiene Services for Overall Health
Frequent visits to with your dental hygienist are particularly important for those with certain medical conditions that can impact dental health. Conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lung disease, and diabetes may necessitate more regular dental hygiene services. These visits might involve premedication prescribed by a family doctor or specialist as a preventative measure against infection.
Managing Dry Mouth and Dietary Advice
Dry mouth, a common side effect of various medications, can lead to several oral health issues. Saliva helps to protect your teeth against harmful bacteria that lead to decay, enhances your ability to taste, makes it easier to chew and swallow, and aids in digestion. Having a lack of saliva can also cause bad breath!
Our dental hygienists can provide solutions like Biotene, a product mimicking natural saliva that helps relieve dryness and pain associated with dry mouth. It’s available as toothpaste, mouthwash, spray, and gel.
Additionally, we advise you to drink plenty of water and make smart dietary choices to combat dry mouth and maintain dental health. Drinking water fights dry mouth, washes away food and beverage particles left in your mouth after meals, and strengthens your teeth from the fluoride found in water.
Certain types of foods are very harmful to your teeth. These can include foods that are sugary, acidic, sticky or chewy, full of starches, crunchy or hard, and that dry out your mouth. Avoiding or limiting these foods can help reduce the amount of plaque buildup in your mouth that can lead to tooth decay and possible dental treatment.
Children’s Dental Hygiene Services
At our dental office, we understand the unique dental needs of children. Our specialized dental hygiene services for children focus on creating a friendly and comforting environment to encourage good oral health habits from a young age.
Dental Hygiene Services
Xylitol Gum and pH Level Management
Chewing xylitol gum, a sugar-free alternative, can significantly improve dental health by reducing plaque buildup and bacteria in the mouth. It’s a sugar-free substance that looks and tastes like sugar, has fewer calories, and does not raise your blood sugar level.
Our dental hygienists also perform pH testing during routine cleanings to identify and address any acidity-related dental issues. This aids in determining your dental needs and should be considered when discussing your overall dental health. Your hygienist can recommend options to help if your level is more on the acidic side.
Smoking and Oral Health Maintenance
Our dental hygiene services extend to providing advice and support for quitting smoking, a major contributor to oral health problems. Smoking can cause bad breath, discoloured teeth, excessive plaque/tartar build-up, bone loss in your jaw, gum disease, and even oral cancer. We offer guidance on maintaining oral health, preventing decay, and treating gum disease.
Home Dental Care Education
An essential aspect of our dental hygiene services includes educating patients on proper at-home dental care techniques. This education covers the use of appropriate toothbrushes, brushing and flossing techniques, and overall oral hygiene practices.
Brushing and flossing should be done at least twice a day, and done so in a proper manner. The right techniques will effectively clean your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth. Using the proper toothbrush for your dental needs can make all the difference in your oral health. Deciding between a manual and an electric toothbrush is a personal choice. Your dental hygienist will always be available to discuss which option is best for you.
Special Offer from Clarence Street Dental
Wedding Day Complimentary Cleaning
Are you getting married soon? Congratulations! We invite you to contact our team for a complimentary dental cleaning, available to current patients, to prepare for your special day.
If you’re due for a routine cleaning, click here to reserve your preferred date and time at our local Brantford dental office. We are dedicated to providing dental hygiene services to keep your smile bright and healthy.