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What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

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Many people have mild to moderate dental phobias. A lack of understanding about what happens while you’re in the chair for a cleaning can add to this fear.

First Exam

Your hygienist will likely start by doing a quick exam of your mouth, noting and potential areas of concern to discuss with the dentist when they come in to perform a more thorough examination. They will use a small mirror to check your teeth and gums for any signs of inflammation, decay, and other issues.

Removing Plaque and Tartar

The hygienist will use a scaler during your cleaning to “scrape” plaque and tartar build-up around and under your gumline and between your teeth. They may also use a “cavitron” or water scaler in addition to or instead of hand instruments to remove build up.
If this is your least favourite part of your cleanings remember that improved oral health (proper brushing and flossing) reduces the amount of tartar and plaque in your mouth. Less tartar and plaque = less time scaling (scraping).

Polishing

This is when the hygienist uses a high powered electric rotating rubber cup to apply a gritty toothpaste to your teeth. The high-pitched sound can be intimidating but this part of your cleaning is important for removing surface stains.

Professional Flossing

No one is more skilled at flossing your teeth than a hygienist. It might seem silly to have your hygienist floss your teeth during your cleaning if you’ve already flossed that day, but this helps to remove any leftover plaque, polishing paste or debris.

Fluoride Treatment

There are a few different options available for fluoride treatments. (Not all dentists carry all options.) Most common are fluoride trays: foam trays that fit over your teeth and are filled with a flavoured gel or foam fluoride and placed in your mouth for 1 minute. There is also a flavoured paint-on varnish that stays on your teeth until you brush it off at night. Least effective, but a good option for people with a strong gag reflex is a fluoride ride that you swish in your mouth for one minute. Fluoride helps to strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay. It is an important part of your regular cleaning.

Post-Cleaning Exam

Your dentist will then come in and review any notes your hygienist has made, and perform their own exam with the help of a small handheld mirror. In this time they may find spots of potential decay and recommend x-rays to be certain. Other concerns your dentist is looking for is bite/jaw issues, the need for orthodontic referral, or referral to a periodontist if your gums have deep pockets around the teeth.

Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning and check up! (604) 936-1263

Oh Baby! Caring for your baby’s teeth and gums.

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Dental health starts before there are any teeth to brush! Caring for your baby’s teeth early on develops good oral hygiene habits for the future.

Before your child has any teeth it is important to clean the gums after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth. You can also buy “thimble” style rubber gum stimulators to brush your baby’s gums.

Teething is difficult, but there are a few things you can do to help. Rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or a clean washcloth. Many babies find the applied pressure comforting. Keep their mouth cool with a cold washcloth, spoon, or chilled teething ring. If your child is already eating hard foods, offer them something to gnaw on like chilled cucumber or carrot. Keep close watch as they chew as any broken off pieces pose a choking hazard.

Baby teeth are important too. A common misconception in adults is that primary teeth do not need special care because they eventually fall out and are replaced by our permanent teeth. But these first teeth preserve the spacing for the permanent ones and help Baby chew and talk. If they’re not cared for properly they can decay, leading to a gum infection called gingivitis, which can affect the spacing of permanent teeth.

Put them to bed with water. The first sign of decay in your child’s teeth is discolouration and minor pitting. Putting your child to bed with milk or worse, juice, is notoriously bad for their teeth. This allows sugars to sit in their mouth and breed bad bacteria all night – water is the safest bedtime beverage.

For more tips on brushing and cleaning your child’s teeth see the Canadian Dental Association Website: http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/cleaning.asp

To book your child’s first dental check-up, contact us today by phone (604) 936-1263, or email https://austindentalgroups.com/contact/

Whitening – What are the options?

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There are many different teeth bleaching options available over the counter and in office, but which is best for you?

 

Whitening Strips

Over-the-counter whitening strips like Crest White Strips are a popular option due to their low cost. The strips are sold as a thin, flexible membrane coated with bleaching material that conforms to the shape of your teeth.

Pros:

  • They can be worn comfortably at home or on the go, making them a convenient option.
  • Cost effective

Cons:

  • Not suitable for crooked teeth
  • Often misses the areas between the teeth
  • Saliva can get under the membrane and dilute the bleach
  • Not ideal for a “wide smile” as they are “one size fits all”
  • The strips are prone to slip and slide out of place
  • Low concentration of bleach

Brush-On Whiteners

Often sold in pen style applicators with foam or brush tip applicators, brush-on whiteners are the least expensive option. They are most effective when applied directly after a meal or beverage with high colour content (beets, red wine, etc…). While this product claims to whiten your teeth, they act as more of an “antidote” to new stains.

Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Convenient

Cons:

  • Does not show meaningful results as a “whitening” tool

Custom Bleach Trays (Opalescense)

Unlike whitening strips, custom bleach trays are made specifically for your teeth and can not be shared with others. First an impression is take of your mouth and model is made of your teeth. Then a tray is formed around the model using a thin, flexible plastic material. The dental office then provides you with concentrated bleaching gel in syringe applicators and instructions on how to use the bleach at home.

Pros:

  • Extremely effective whitening
  • Ideal for people with crooked teeth as the bleach reaches all surfaces of the teeth
  • Long term results, often lasting 6 months or more
  • Concentrated bleach gel often gives drastic results within 2 weeks
  • Shaped to prevent bleach from coming into contact with your gums (when used correctly)

Cons:

  • Can cause sensitivity
  • Significantly higher cost than over-the-counter bleaching solutions due to the medical grade whitening gels

In-Office Whitening (Opalescence Boost)

In-office whitening is performed by your Dentist or Dental Hygienist. A cheek retractor is placed in the mouth to pull your lips and cheeks away from your teeth. Then a protective gel is placed on to your gum line and light-cured to guard your gums from the potent bleaching materials. A layer of whitening gel is painted on to your teeth and left for 20 minutes, then removed and applied again for an additional 20 minutes. Multiple visits may be required for desired results.

Pros:

  • Highest concentration bleach, causing drastic shade changes
  • Quick, sometimes immediate results

Cons:

  • Can cause sensitivity due to high concentration bleach
  • May require multiple appointments for desired results
  • The least cost effective option
  • Some people find the cheek retractors uncomfortable as they stay in the mouth for almost an hour

Dr. Shahriary is happy to discuss your bleaching needs with you. Call today to book a consultation and start your journey to your perfect smile! (604) 936-1263

As us about Opalescence Go! a whitening strip/custom tray hybrid! (604) 936-1263

Dental Sealants – What are they and why is my Dentist recommending them?

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Dental sealants are a great way to prevent decay from forming in the grooves of our teeth. Teeth are formed with grooves and pits in them that can trap food and the longer these food particles stay trapped in these areas the more likely they are to develop decay.

While most of us are aware of the traditional way of cleaning our teeth ie: brushing, flossing, and mouthwash; manual plaque removal does not always work when your teeth have deep fissures in their surfaces. When this happens your Dentist may recommend dental sealants to help with the deeper, uncleanable grooves. Dentists recommend dental sealants most often when children’s permanent premolars and molars are erupting into the mouth.

Sealants require no freezing and are a thin, transparent resin painted onto the biting surface of the tooth and light cured to harden. The resin fills in the narrow grooves, decreasing your risk of decay. Sealants generally last 5-8 years before needing to be reapplied.

Dr. Shahriary can tell you at your next visit if any of your teeth should be sealed and protected, because not all teeth need sealants.

Remember to maintain regular visits to the dentist for dental examinations and professional cleanings.

Call Today! (604) 936-1263

 

Gingivitis – Are You At Risk?

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Gingivitis is a term many of us have heard before, but many of us do not know our risk factor or how to identify symptoms!

While gingivitis is a “non-destructive” type of periodontal disease, it can progress to periodontitis if left untreated. Periodontitis is a much more serious disease which can lead to tooth loss.

Many patients do not even know they have a form of gingivitis as the symptoms can be mild. Thankfully, mild cases can be resolved at home with improving your oral hygiene habits by brushing and flossing more frequently, and including an antiseptic mouth rinse (such as Lysterine) in your dental routine.

Know the Symptoms of Gingivitis:

  • bright red or purple gums
  • tender gums that may be painful to the touch
  • bleeding from the gums when brushing or flossing
  • bad breath, or “halitosis”
  • inflammation, or swollen gums
  • receding gums
  • soft gums

Some people are at higher risk of periodontal diseases, including people with cancer, HIV, and diabetes. Other risk factors include smoking, poor diet, hormonal changes (such as pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and the menstrual cycle), age, family history, and certain medications.

Proper dental care is the most effective way to reverse periodontal disease.

The first step to a healthy mouth is to come in for a hygiene appointment. One of our friendly hygienists will remove the built up plaque and tartar from your teeth by scaling or root planing. This can be uncomfortable if your build up is extensive or your gums are inflamed and sensitive, however, we will take the utmost care to make this appointment as comfortable as possible. You will receive instruction on how to properly floss and brush your teeth, and a follow-up appointment will be made for your next cleaning.

If left untreated, periodontitis can have serious repercussions:

Complications of untreated periodontal disease:

  • abscess or infection in the gingiva or jaw bone
  • periodontitis, a more serious condition that can lead to loss of bone and teeth
  • recurrent gingivitis
  • trench mouth, where bacterial infection leads to ulceration of the gums

Furthermore, several studies have linked periodontal disease to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Other studies have also found periodontal disease to be a risk factor for lung disease.

If you believe you have mild-severe periodontal disease, call today to book an appointment with Dr. Shahriary and our talented hygienists. (604) 936-1263