Services

Cleaning

Special Treatments


New Patient cleaning appointment

Every new Patient will receive  an extra-oral examination of the head and neck to identify suspicious lesions or growths and an intra-oral examination to identify areas of immediate or long-term concern regarding gum and bone health. This will include a complete examination of the gum and bone levels by measuring the pocket depths surrounding your teeth.

Through verbal explanation and visual demonstration, you will be taught how to recognize ill-health in your mouth and adopt daily techniques and habits to help regain and maintain a healthy mouth.

We will talk about nutrition and oral health and how they are key contributors in your over-all health. The condition of your oral cavity also affects your digestion, having a direct impact on your nutritional status. Dental nutritional counseling is an intervention to prevent disease by assessing your dietary habits and informing you about the relationship between diet and oral health.

Cleaning or Scaling teeth involves the removal of plaque and tartar situated above and below the gum line. This will aid in the treatment of gum and bone conditions, (gingivitis and periodontal disease), that will help support the state of your mouth as well as your overall health. The amount of time and cost required to complete a dental cleaning, will depend on the condition of your gums and the amount of tartar build-up you have.

A dental polishing traditionally follows a dental scaling and is a selective procedure and may also be done between regular cleanings for special occasions. It helps to stimulate blood flow in your gums, leaving them massaged. Tooth polishing can remove stain caused by drinking coffee, tea, colas, wine and smoking, resulting in a brighter smile but most importantly, it is excellent in removing oral bio-film.


Recare appointments

If you are booked or are booking for a re-care appointment, this means we have already met at an initial appointment 3, 6, 9 or 12 months before.

Similar to an initial appointment, you will receive an extra-oral examination of the head and neck to identify suspicious lesions or growths and an intra-oral examination to identify areas of immediate or long-term concern regarding gum and bone health.

The protocol during a re-care appointment is not only to have your teeth cleaned but to re-evaluate areas of concern that may have been detected at the time of your previous appointment.

I will continue to show you how to recognize ill-health in your mouth and  support you in implementing oral hygiene techniques that help you obtain and maintain your oral health goals.

Dietary intake is an important contributing factor in healthy gums and teeth, especially for children whose teeth are young and still developing, so you can expect continued discussion pertaining to the relationship between diet, oral health and overall health.


Special Treatments

Bad Breath Halitosis treatment

Bad breath can be experienced as a short-term condition due to food odors or morning breath. It may also exist for a longer period as a chronic condition due to periodontal, (gum & bone), problems, tonsil stones or digestive issues.  Oral hygiene and digestive education can help eliminate bad breath when the problem is mild and can be managed through a holistic approach, using natural products to help fight the bacteria that contribute to bad breath and periodontal disease.

When the condition is chronic and odors are very strong, this can have a major impact in our personal and professional lives so sometimes a stronger approach is necessary and this is done through the use of topical antibiotic rinses, prescribed by a Dentist or Family Doctor. Oravital

If you feel or recognize that you have bad breath and/or may have gum/bone disease or have been properly diagnosed by your Dentist, then please contact Alison to discuss the fresh breath programs that may be the perfect solution to help manage your condition.

“I have been helping people battle halitosis for 12 years now and addressing a breath problem is a very personal issue that can be quite emotional. It is a very rewarding experience to watch clients let go of their pre-occupation with their breath and regain their confidence within their personal and professional relationships. Results may vary from person to person.”


Teeth Whitening treatment

There are indeed natural remedies and available tips on line, that can potentially whiten your teeth and would require some patience.

Teeth whitening is a selective procedure and may not be suitable for everyone as it can cause tooth sensitivity. We use a take-home whitening treatment that includes a toothpaste to help minimize sensitivity. This whitening procedure usually requires 3-30 minutes per day, for approximately 10 days, to obtain whiter teeth that may reach 1-6 shades lighter. Results will vary from person to person.

We also offer an in office whitening which contains a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel that does not require a light or laser. It also contains PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride) that has been proven to lower sensitivity, reduce caries susceptibility, and improve the microhardness of the enamel.


Sensitive teeth treatment

Tooth sensitivity may be due to gum recession caused by brushing too hard or grinding or having saliva that is too acidic. Oil-pulling is a natural approach to desensitizing the teeth and has been successful for many but is not always effective.

Sensitivity can also be treated by using toothpaste for sensitive teeth or by applying a desensitizing agent, here in the office.  Desensitizing agents will coat the exposed areas, making your teeth less sensitive to hot and/or cold.


Denture Cleaning

A mouth without teeth will still accumulate bacteria so it’s important to keep dentures clean to prevent sores, bad breath and irritated gums from occurring.  To clean your denture, we will place it in a denture cleaner or vinegar solution, in the ultrasonic cleaner, which softens the bacteria, making it easier to remove debris from the denture.

Remember to remove your denture at night for this will give the gums and palate a chance to breath. It is also important to massage your gums to stimulate blood flow and keep the soft tissue healthy.


Pit and Fissure Sealants

Many of us, adults and children, have deep grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of our molars which can make thorough brushing difficult to achieve.

In our office, by applying non-toxic sealants, (a milky-like flowable liquid), the grooves and pits fill up and become more shallow.

This makes brushing the chewing surfaces easier to maintain and can help prevent cavities from  occurring.


Mouthguards

A single blow to the mouth or jaw can cause serious dental damage that is very painful and expensive to treat. You can minimize the risk of this type of injury by using a mouthguard when you take part in sports and other recreational activities.

A custom made athletic mouthguard will have a more supportive fit than a store bought generic brand and will ensure that you or your child’s teeth are well protected.

Oral Bacteria Analysis

A microbial test can determine what your risk factors are and which bacteria are present so that we can treat your infection more specifically.

This is comparable to having a cholesterol test – It takes the guesswork out of your treatment.

Lab results of a microbial test help us identify the types and amounts of bacteria present in the mouth. This enables the dental professional to determine if you are at risk for or have an oral infection. It also provides information that’s helpful in determining the best treatment if you do have an infection and can help achieve improved treatment outcomes for better oral systemic health.

OraVital Microbial Analysis: Here’s How It Works:

BiofilmDNA™ is a whole-mouth sampling technique that collects specimens under and above the gum, saliva, tongue and throat. It uses the most advanced qPCR technology to identify the exact species and number of bacteria in the sample. Targeted antibiotic rinses are prescribed based on the bacteria found and their proven ability to kill those specific pathogens.

BiofilmGS™ (Gram stain) is another test whereby the dental professional will swab your gums, tongue and throat to capture samples of biofilm (the community of bacteria that live in the mouth) and place them on separate sections of a glass microscope slide.

The slide is sent to the OraVital microbiology lab to be examined for the types and number of bacteria as well as yeast, parasites and white blood cells, which can indicate the presence of oral infections.

After viewing the samples, the OraVital lab’s trained microbiologists send a detailed report to your dental/dental hygiene or doctor’s office. The report includes information about the types and concentration of microorganisms. The dental professional or Doctor, uses this report to select the most effective antibiotic rinse to restore the balance of healthy microorganisms in your mouth.


Salivary PH Testing

A simple PH test of your saliva can give you some insight on the overall pH balance of your body. This test can help evaluate your susceptibility to dental cavities and periodontal disease.

Degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, kidney and gall stones are also linked to excess acidity in the body. The higher your pH, (more basic or alkaline), the more oxygen-rich your cells are and disease is less likely to thrive in the presence of oxygen and alkalinity.

This simple salivary test gives you an accurate reading of your PH levels within two minutes.