Dental Cleanings & Preventative Maintenance

It is a natural occurrence that plaque and tartar build up on the surfaces of our teeth over time. While natural flora made up of healthy bacteria are used break down food and prepare it for digestion, harmful bacteria tend to grown and multiply with refined sugars in our diet leading to the formation of the harmful plaque. Left to its own devices, plaque (the film we feel on our teeth if we haven’t brushed) can harden and calcify, resulting in tartar buildup.

Tartar is too hard for either your toothbrush or mouth wash to effectively remove. Your dental hygienist is trained in safe removal of plaque without damaging the protective enamel on your teeth. Tartar can build up along the gumline, resulting in inflammation and redness of the gums and potential for tooth decay. Gum disease (periodontal disease) results in the loss of more teeth than cavities in people over age 35. Gum disease has also been noted in the scientific community to increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, dementia and a few other ailments. 

The Dental Examination

Did you know that a healthy mouth offers more than just a beautiful smile? Your dentist uses the information gathered during your examination to offer a window into your systemic health. Your dentist will begin by collecting information about your current health and lifestyle habits. A review of your medical history, including current medications is conducted to give your dentist a holistic view of your overall wellness and any current health and dental concerns. Some conditions or medications may impact the future success of dental procedures, so it’s important to provide your dentist with complete and accurate information. Once a full examination of your dental health is complete, your dentist will share their findings. Where concerns exist, you and your dentist will discuss the available corrective actions.
Visual Examination
Performed by your dentist who may use tools to determine the condition of your teeth, the condition of your existing restorations (such as white or amalgam fillings, crowns or implants), and any signs of decay. Your dentist will also check the bone and muscular tissue in the jaw to identify concerns such as signs of night time clenching or poor bite alignment.
Cancer Screening
Your dentist will screen for signs of cancer both inside and outside the mouth, including lymph nodes, throat and lip/tongue tissue and roof and floor of the mouth.
Radiographic Imagery
Your dentist uses radiographic X-rays to provide valuable information about the condition of your teeth below the surface (or anywhere not visible by visual examination). The X-ray allows your dentist to assess the health of the root systems and positioning of your teeth, hidden signs of decay, bone loss or underlying concerns such as cysts or infection.

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Dental Cleanings

Every mouth is unique, and for that reason your dentist will advise you about how often you should have your teeth professionally cleaned. Dental cleaning may be performed by a qualified dental hygienist or dentist. Professional dental cleaning is typically carried out in these 3 steps:
Scaling
Scaling involves the use of a manual or ultrasonic scaler. Scalers are used to remove any buildup of tartar on the teeth and along the gum line.
Polishing
Next, your dentist or hygienist will use a small rotating tool with a rubberized head to apply a slightly abrasive paste to the teeth. The gentle ‘grit’ in the paste helps to remove stains from tooth surfaces and keeps the tooth surfaces smooth. Smooth surfaces are more difficult for plaque to adhere to.

Prevention & Maintenance

It is important to maintain good oral hygiene between visits with your dentist. Good oral hygiene involves brushing, flossing and rinsing regularly. For best results, we recommend:
Brushing
Select a soft toothbrush that allows you to reach each of the teeth in your mouth. When brushing the inner and outer sides of your teeth, ensure that your brush is at a 45-degree angle between the teeth and gums. Brush in a circular motion, ensuring that both the teeth and gums are being brushed. Brush the biting surfaces of your upper and lower teeth also, moving on to your tongue and roof of the mouth before rinsing with fresh water. Brushing should occur after meals, or a minimum of twice daily. Recent studies have indicated that an electric tooth brush removes plaque more effetively than a manual one.
Flossing
There are many areas of the mouth which are not accessible to your toothbrush, and as a result decay often begins where we cannot see it, such as between teeth. Flossing your teeth regularly is an excellent way to ensure removal of harmful plaque bacteria. When flossing your teeth, use gentle pressure to insert floss between your teeth and move the floss up and down between the tooth and the gum line. Remember to do this on either side of the tooth before moving on. A new device called the Waterpik (water flosser) has also been shown to be effective for those that are not consistent at using the regular floss or those with fixed retainer wires.
Rinsing
Your dentist may recommend finishing your oral care routine with an approved mouth wash. Mouth wash is a convenient way to reduce oral bacteria when swished around all areas of the mouth for 30 seconds before spitting. Small children at risk of swallowing mouth wash should abstain from use.

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All Services Provided By A General Dentist

Nebula Dental Clinic provides oral health care services to the communities of Ellerslie, Summerside, Orchards, Walker, Charlesworth and the surrounding areas in Edmonton. All services provided by a general dentist.

Clinic Hours

Monday: 9:30am to 6pm
Tuesday: 10am to 6:30pm
Wednesday: 9:30am to 6pm
Thursday: 10am to 6:30pm
Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

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