Maintain Your Teeth and Gums
Routine teeth cleanings and checkups are crucial for maintaining your oral health. These visits not only care for your teeth but also ensure the health of your gums and entire mouth. Professional cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that cause decay, gum disease, and chronic bad breath. Hygienists can reach areas that are difficult to clean with regular brushing and flossing at home. During a thorough cleaning and exam, the hygienist and dentist can monitor your oral health and identify potential issues early. This allows for the resolution or prevention of problems before they become painful and expensive.
Additionally, regular teeth cleanings can naturally make your teeth look whiter and brighter without the need for bleaching treatments.
- Eliminates plaque: Removes sticky plaque, a bacteria-laden substance that erodes your enamel.
- Removes tartar buildup: Clears away hardened plaque (tartar) that can lead to gum disease.
- Gets rid of stains: Eliminates coffee, tea, and other stains from your teeth.
- Checks for issues: Examines for receding gums, chipped or broken teeth, and other signs of disease and infection.
What Happens During A Teeth Cleaning?
Gum Health
Often under-appreciated but extremely important, your gums support your teeth and frame your smile. We will closely examine your tongue, gums, teeth, and all areas of your mouth, with special attention to the gum line, ensuring there are no signs of inflammation or impending gum disease. And don’t worry, we won’t be too hard on you about your flossing habits.
Plaque & Tartar Removal
Plaque is a soft, sticky film that accumulates on your teeth. If not regularly removed through thorough brushing, flossing, and professional cleaning, it can harden into tartar deposits. Tartar, typically darker in color, is often found in hard-to-clean places like the gumline. Our hygienists have the tools and expertise to carefully remove plaque and tartar from these tricky areas. Once the buildup is cleared, we polish your teeth to remove stains and leave them gleaming.
Dentist Exam
Following your cleaning, it’s the perfect time for a dental exam. Your dentist will review your chart and x-rays, focusing on any problem areas or concerning patterns. They may recommend further treatment or provide tips and advice on how to prevent or reverse tooth decay, inflammation, or gum disease. We’re here to answer any questions you may have and address any discomfort, sensitivity, or dental pain you’ve experienced.
Cost Of Teeth Cleaning In Ottawa
Routine checkups and cleanings are excellent for preventing and avoiding dental problems, which is why most insurance companies cover them almost entirely on a regular basis, typically every 6 months. If you don’t have dental insurance, you can expect to pay between $120 and $300 or more, especially if it’s your first visit or first cleaning in a while.
When determining the actual cost of your treatment, we consider several important factors:
- Your current oral health
- Whether new x-rays are required
- The amount of time needed by the dental team to address your specific needs
- The equipment and supplies necessary to meet all your requirements
These routine appointments are very important to us, as we view them as the most effective way to prevent more invasive treatments, avoid serious dental pain, and keep you as happy and healthy as possible.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular teeth cleaning is essential for maintaining good oral health. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that daily brushing and flossing might miss. This helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Regular cleanings also allow your dentist to monitor your overall oral health and catch potential problems early before they become more serious and costly to treat.
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth after eating and drinking. If not removed regularly through brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove. Plaque bacteria produce acids that can erode tooth enamel, leading to cavities and gum irritation. Over time, this can result in gum disease, tooth decay, and other serious dental problems.
Tartar forms when plaque isn’t thoroughly removed and mineralizes on the teeth, turning into a hard, yellow or brown deposit. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional using specialized tools. If left untreated, tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis (early gum disease), periodontal disease, and other oral health issues. It can also cause bad breath and unsightly stains on your teeth.
Professional teeth cleanings offer several benefits: they effectively remove plaque and tartar, polish your teeth to remove surface stains, and help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Cleanings also allow your dentist to inspect your mouth for signs of oral health issues, such as cavities or oral cancer. Regular cleanings can enhance your overall health by reducing the risk of conditions linked to poor oral health, such as heart disease and diabetes.
To prevent plaque and tartar buildup at home, brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and along the gumline. Use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and reduce plaque formation. Maintain a healthy diet low in sugary and acidic foods and drinks, and avoid tobacco products. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are also crucial in preventing tartar buildup.
Certain signs may indicate you need a teeth cleaning, including persistent bad breath, red or swollen gums, bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, tartar buildup visible above the gumline, tooth sensitivity, and a general feeling of having a “fuzzy” coating on your teeth. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to schedule a dental appointment to address potential issues and receive a professional cleaning to maintain your oral health.
Dental cleanings contribute to overall health by reducing the risk of systemic conditions linked to poor oral health, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory infections. By maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing gum disease, you reduce the likelihood of bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing inflammation or infection in other parts of the body. Regular dental check-ups also provide an opportunity to detect early signs of oral cancer and other health issues.
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