Teeth Cleaning & Dental Hygiene Services Mississauga

Hygiene Services include:

• Patient screening with assessment of oral health conditions, review of the health history, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, and dental charting 

• Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)

• Removing calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from all surfaces of the teeth, and roots

• Applying preventive materials to the teeth such as protective sealants and topical fluoride for strengthening the enamel and desensitizing teeth.

• Whitening teeth by in-office procedures 

• Providing laser periodontal therapy to decrease the bacterial microflora within the periodontal pockets to allow for health and pocket dept reduction. 

• Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies and techniques to maintain a healthy mouth

• Counselling patients on good nutrition and its impact on oral health.
  

What is Gingivitis?


Gingivitis is also known commonly as inflammation of the gums. It is an early sign of Periodontal (Gum) Disease from which 9 out of 10 Canadians will have at least once in their lifetime. 

Causes of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by a sticky film known as bacterial plaque that settles along the gum line. This plaque has a thick cottage cheese like consistency, and can turn orange in colour if left standing (untouched) for prolonged periods of time.

Plaque

Plaque is a sticky, white-yellow film made up of bacteria, proteins and mucous which constantly forms in your mouth, and is excreted in our saliva. 

Plaque starts to settle on our teeth as early as 20min after we have last brushed.

Tartar

Tartar is hardened plaque sitting on our teeth. This is an accumulation of minerals from saliva and food. Once tartar has formed, and calcified on our teeth it can no longer be removed with daily brushing and/or flossing. Tarter has has very rough texture, and easily attracts more bacteria. This then leads to a thick wall of bacteria hardened on teeth and must be professionally removed by a dental hygienist. This form of treatment is called dental scaling.

Tartar can form either above or below the gum line in pockets between teeth and gums. These pockets allow bacteria to settle and grow. The bacteria excrete toxins that cause damage to the tissues and the bone that supports the teeth. This leads to periodontal (gum) disease.

How Can I Prevent Gingivitis?

Foremost it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day with an electric toothbrush, floss daily and use an anti-microbial rinse such as Listerine for at least 1 minute. 

Even with an excellent regime at home, plaque will still sneak in between our gums and teeth and settle in the pockets. This can lead to bone loss, and eventual tooth loss, if left untreated.

A professional cleaning by one of our dental hygienists will remove/ flush out this bacteria to maintain a healthy smile.

Common Signs of Periodontal Disease

• Red or blueish-red, swollen and tender gums
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath (Halitosis)
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums, gums that are pulling away from the teeth causing the teeth to look longer due to exposed root surfaces
• Loose/wiggly teeth 
  

Periodontal Treatment

Gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Plaque is always forming on teeth, but if it is not cleaned well, it will harden on the teeth and the bacteria in plaque can cause gums to become inflamed. When this happens, the gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces called pockets.

Plaque then gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing. Untreated gum disease can lead to bone and eventual tooth loss. If the periodontal pockets are too deep, then a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is necessary to remove the plaque in these pockets. A referral to a periodontist may also be necessary. 

Scaling and root planing is to carefully clean the root surfaces of teeth and to remove plaque and calculus from deep periodontal pockets.  This allows us to smoothen the root surface to remove bacterial toxins, and to prevent other toxins from settling.