Preventative Dentistry

Preventative Dentistry

 

Digital X-rays

Digital radiographs (digital x-rays) are essential diagnostic and preventative tools that helps your dentist and hygienist see issues which are not detectable such as root position, decay, tumours, cysts, and bone loss. Digital x-rays reduce radiation exposure 80-90% from the already very low levels of traditional x-rays. They also allow instant viewing for both your dental professional and yourself to aid in explanations and developing a complete treatment plan.

Hygiene program

  • Our hygiene program is entirely focused on your individual needs. We provide important dental cleaning procedures which include scaling, root planing, fluoride, and periodontal (gum disease) treatment. We can also assess the success of your current oral health measures and provide tips and tools to help you maximize them.
  • Your overall health and specifically your periodontal health is extremely important for expectant mothers. Research has shown that women with poor oral health are at a much greater risk of delivering prematurely, having pregnancy hypertension and their baby being born with a low birth weight. The hormonal changes you experience during pregnancy also make you more susceptible to gingivitis or gum disease. See the Government of Canada Healthy Canadians website for more details.
  • Inadequate oral health and conditions gum disease can lead to severe overall health conditions. The bacteria in your mouth travels down into your lungs and can cause serious lung infections and respiratory disease. Or into your blood stream where it has been linked to heart disease, dementia, arthritis, chronic inflammation and certain types of cancer. Also, diabetics are more susceptible to gum disease which can increase their risk of diabetic complications.
  • We can also introduce you to the BC government smoking cessation program for clients that request help with quitting. This program aids people who would like to quit smoking by covering all or part of the cost of nicotine replacement therapy products (NRTs), either prescription or non-prescription.
  • Sugary or acidic foods cause dental erosion by eating away at your tooth enamel. Our hygiene program can also provide information regarding healthy eating which can prevent tooth decay.
  • All of this combines to help you keep your teeth healthy and enhance your beautiful smile. You can contact our office today to schedule a cleaning or consultation.

Sealants

  • Dental sealants (or fissure sealants) are thin film coatings that may be applied to the chewing surfaces of your molars and bicuspids which often have many pits and fissure where food can get caught. This provides a preventative barrier and a smooth, easy to brush surface. These can be very important, especially for children, to help to prevent decay. They are checked for wear and cracks during your regular dental visits

Mouth Guards

  • TMJ Night Guards
    • If you clench your teeth, or grind them, you may experience pain in your jaw and teeth. This guard should be worn at night to reduce some of the stress on your jaw muscles and prevent extra wear on your teeth. We can create a custom model so it will fit like a glove and provide relief while still being comfortable.
  • Sports Guards
    • Sports injuries to teeth and jaws are very common and almost always preventable. To save your smile (and your pocket book) we can make a custom sports guard to protect your mouth while you play your heart out