Preventative Care
Dental Examination / Check-up
A regular dental check-up is important for good dental health. We can catch and treat minor cases of decay before they cause you any discomfort and/or threaten your teeth. Our check-ups are comprehensive and include examination of teeth and gums, examination of existing restorations and examination of diagnostic x-rays.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Our professional dental cleaning includes removal of plaque and calculus (hardened plaque). Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film of living bacteria that forms on the teeth. The bacteria produce toxins that inflame the gums and can lead to periodontal disease. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments. Teeth polishing removes stains and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
Preventing decay and gum disease
Preventing decay and gum disease is the best way of managing your dental health. Your dentist can advise you on your best angle of attack which may include homecare, fluoride rinses, regular cleaning, dietary changes and dental products such as neutrafluor or tooth mousse.
Gum Disease / Periodontitis
Gum disease starts with inflammation and bleeding of the gums and can progress to loss of the bone holding your teeth in place. At later stages so much bone is lost that the teeth become loose and eventually need to be extracted. There is also a link between gum disease and heart disease. Gum disease is caused by three main factors, genetic predisposition (it runs in the family), smoking and oral hygiene. Smoking cessation and regular professional cleaning as well as proper homecare are paramount in controlling gum disease. Early detection will save you a lot of grief later on.