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Whether you are new to West Grande Prairie Dental or a familiar face around our dentist office, you will always receive a comprehensive dental exam and dental cleaning from our dentists and wonderful and caring dental hygienists.
We believe in exceptional dental care with the comfort of feeling like family, so you do not have to sacrifice one or the other. We offer all the amenities you could need; top of the line, advanced technology and an expert dental team.
What You Can Expect at Your Dental Hygienist Appointment
Your Dental Hygienist appointment will consist of:
- Diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss; X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
- Dental hygiene oral cancer screening: A thorough examination by your dentist and your dental hygienist of your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer
- Gingivitis and gum disease evaluation: Checking the gums and bone loss around the teeth for any signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease
- Teeth cleaning and checking for tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be thoroughly checked for decay and cleaned with special dental instruments.
- Examination of existing restorations: Checking your current fillings, crowns, etc.
- Dental cleaning and removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque (dead and living bacteria) that has been left on the tooth for some time and is firmly attached to the tooth surface. Our dental hygienists will expertly remove it for you.
- Our dental hygienists will remove plaque on your teeth: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease, so you and your family must have it regularly removed.
- Dental cleaning and teeth polishing: Removal of stains and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling
Not only do these regular exams help us better understand and work on your dental health, but they can give us a blueprint as to what you can do for your dental health with at-home care.
Your dental hygienist appointment is about much more than just teeth cleaning and removing plaque. They also help protect and diagnose gingivitis and gum disease so you can feel fresh and stress-free, knowing your teeth and those of your children are in the right hands. Practicing proper and regular teeth cleaning also saves you from pain, bad breath, and potential loss of teeth and bone. Not having your teeth professionally cleaned can cause gingivitis and gum disease.
Your dental health is now more important than ever. Recent scientific studies have linked your family’s dental health to Alzheimer’s disease later in life, so don’t put it off!
What is Gingivitis or Periodontal Disease?
Gingivitis and periodontitis, also called gum disease, is a severe gum infection that damages the soft tissue and can destroy the gum and bone that supports your teeth. It’s usually the result of poor oral hygiene. The best way to prevent gingivitis is regular brushing and flossing and dental cleanings.
Brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and getting regular dental checkups and professional cleanings can significantly improve your chances of successful treatment for gingivitis and periodontitis. This greatly reduces your chance of developing it.
- In most cases, the development of gingivitis and periodontitis starts with plaque — a sticky film composed mainly of bacteria that builds up without regular teeth cleaning.
- Plaque forms on teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria usually found in your mouth.
- Plaque can harden under your gumline into tartar (calculus) if it stays on your teeth.
- Tartar is more difficult to remove and is filled with dangerous bacteria. The longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more damage they can do, so regular teeth cleanings are essential!
- Gingivitis is irritation and inflammation of your gum tissue around the base of your teeth (gingiva). Gingivitis can, in many cases, be reversed with professional treatment, dental cleanings, and good home oral care.
Ongoing gingivitis and gum inflammation can cause periodontitis, eventually causing pockets to develop between your gums and teeth that fill with plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Without regular dental cleaning, these pockets will become deeper, filling with more bacteria.
- Gingivitis is caused by poor oral health habits, smoking or chewing tobacco, hormonal changes, recreational drug use, obesity, inadequate nutrition, genetics, and certain medications.
- Gingivitis can also be caused by conditions that cause decreased immunity, such as leukemia and HIV/AIDS.
- Gingivitis can be largely prevented with regular dental and teeth cleanings by a dental hygienist.
The only prevention for gingivitis and periodontal disease is good home care, regular dental visits, and professional teeth cleanings with our expert Dental Hygienists at the West Grande Prairie dental office.
Many people do not realize the connection between good dental hygiene and heart disease prevention. For example, poor dental care can lead to bacteria growth in your mouth which then travels throughout the rest of your body, including lungs and blood vessels.
- Scientific research suggests a link between gum disease and inflammation that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, dementia, or sudden vascular events.
- People with heart disease of blood vessels are especially at high risk because the inflammation caused by gum disease can add to the existing problem.
- Researchers have uncovered oral bacteria in the fatty deposits of people with atherosclerosis, which is a significant contributor to heart attacks and strokes.
Make a Healthy Smile at West Grande Prairie Dental
We understand that going to the dentist isn’t the top of your priority list or favorite thing to do, and while dental care and regular dental hygienist visits can be postponed, it is not recommended. With every postponement, the tartar, plaque, and possible infections grow.
It is essential to have regular maintenance with our dental hygienists and dentist to ensure your overall health. No matter how long it has been, it is never too late to begin great dental care. Now is the perfect time to schedule if you feel like it has been a while since your last visit.
What Is a Dental Health Scan?
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During each dentist exam and scheduled dental cleaning, we will use diagnostic x-rays to detect decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss, as well as tooth and root positions for your permanent dental record.
We’ll check your face and the soft tissues in your mouth for oral cancer and other diseases. Gum disease, periodontal disease, and gingivitis are evaluated by checking your gums and the bone around the teeth by doing a special method of dental teeth cleaning. Advanced periodontal disease can lead to adult tooth loss, so it is critical to get this looked at.
Special dental instruments are needed for the assessment of tooth decay and the update on previous treatments. Early diagnosis from any of these exams is imperative to the health of your teeth and the overall comfort of your everyday life.
Your Regular Teeth Cleanings and Hygiene Visits Come with Oral Cancer Screenings
Why live your life in fear of the possibility of having oral cancer when a visit to our dentist office can put your mind at ease with an oral cancer screening? Oral cancer screening consists of a thorough examination by our hygienists and dentists of your face, neck, tongue, throat, lips, tissues, and gums to check for any instance of cancer.
It is essential to catch any cancer early, especially oral cancer because the spread is rapid and can have long-term effects even after remission. Look out for your teeth and health with an oral cancer screening available at our dental office.
Dental Hygienist and Regular Dental Cleanings
Even with brushing twice a day, using mouthwash, and flossing, there is still a build-up of plaque that is not easily removed. Regular professional dental hygienist cleanings are needed to get the calculus (tartar) that has hardened due to the plaque being left on the tooth for a significant amount of time and is now bonded to the tooth. Dental equipment for cleanings are designed to eliminate this problem.
Most dental issues start with plaque. This ever-growing colony of bacteria, saliva, and food debris is practically invisible. Plaque creates toxins that irritate the gums causing periodontal or gum disease to grow. When these toxins are released, it creates a foul odor even after brushing your teeth.
Dental hygienist cleanings will not only remove plaque, but they will also whiten teeth by cleaning off stains and build-up that is missed with everyday brushing, causing a smoother and cleaner-looking smile.
Dental Hygienist’s Dental Cleanings Can Clean Your Teeth Effectively and Efficiently
It may seem daunting cleaning your teeth every day without the constant guidance and help of a dental hygienist. In between your regular six-month appointments, or three months if you need deep cleaning, you can be comforted by knowing that daily brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash are good ways to help keep your dental hygiene on track.
Knowing the signs of bad oral health is a great way to look out for your teeth. Symptoms of periodontal disease are:
- Swollen, puffy, or bleeding gums
- Spacing between teeth
- Teeth sensitivity
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
At West Grande Prairie Dental, we offer comprehensive dental hygienist cleanings. Our state-of-the-art facility is primed and ready for your next appointment. Our primary focus is on your health and comfort. We take dental anxiety very seriously, as this can lead to further problems in the future.
There are a lot of things that can go wrong in your mouth due to poor dental hygiene. Untreated gum disease can lead to many problems; cavities eventually lead to the dentist’s chair, and lack of brushing leads to extreme tartar buildup.
Early detection is critical when dealing with gingivitis, dental illness, and gum disease. Having proper dental hygienist appointments with our dental hygienists can save you a lot of time, money, and pain later.
When Should My Kids Start Visiting the Dentist?
Dental health is often overlooked, especially in young children. Our office wants to prevent and repair any damage or bacteria from taking root in your family’s teeth. With all the amenities you could need, we strive to make our dentist office a place of fun for you and your family’s dental health.
A child should receive dental hygienist cleanings and dental exams when their first tooth emerges. Getting younger kids to brush their teeth can be difficult, and it can feel like more of a chore for you than for them. Not only will our dentist office evaluate their current teeth, but we’ll help make a preventative plan to ensure the best for their adult teeth.
We aim to make your bedtime routine less chaotic for your family by educating children and encouraging them to have proper dental hygiene. This will give them a sense of accomplishment and independence and help them have peace of mind about their dental health.
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Contact Us Today To Find Out How We Can Improve Your Dental Health!
At West Grande Prairie Dental, our motto is “Doing Dentistry Differently.” We strive to fulfill that promise by making you feel right at home with amenities like Netflix during your treatment and always answering any questions or concerns you might have.
Are you looking for a great new dentist or dental office near you or around West Grande Prairie? Call West Grande Prairie Dental Now at (780) 833-8600 to schedule your first appointment!
We can’t wait to meet you and your family!