.: The Importance of Hygiene Services
One of the most important preventative services you can have is a professional cleaning with one of our highly trained hygienists. Most of us have heard of gingivitis but did you know that as many as 1 out of 2 Canadians have gingivitis. It can affect young children as well as the elderly. Most people who have gingivitis are unaware that they have it. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease which results in inflammation of the gums caused by plaque build-up. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that can grow on natural teeth, crowns, bridges and other hard surfaces in the mouth.Plaque is fairly easy to remove with proper brushing and flossing but when it is not removed it can harden to form tartar which requires special instruments to be removed effectively. Gingivitis can cause swollen, tender gums that bleed during brushing, flossing and even chewing! Luckily, gingivitis is reversible but if left untreated it can lead to periodontal disease - a more serious and chronic disease which can lead to bone loss and eventually tooth loss. Unfortunately, the damage caused by periodontal disease is not curable and the disease can be present for a long time without causing pain which is why many people are unaware that they have it until it is too late. That is why it is so important to see your dentist and hygienist regularly. The sooner we detect gingivitis or gum disease the better the chances of maintaining optimum overall health.
People with periodontal disease are at greater risk of heart disease and are twice as likely to have a fatal heart attack compared to those individuals with no periodontal disease. Researchers believe that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease may cause the formation of blood clots which can contribute to clogged arteries.
Pregnant women who have periodontal disease are at a much greater risk of having a premature or underweight baby.
There is also a strong link between diabetes and periodontal disease. Bleeding gums, inflammation and bone loss could be an early indicator of diabetes since people with the disease tend to have compromised immune systems which affects their ability to heal and fight off infections. Uncontrolled diabetics are also more susceptible to periodontal disease because of their compromised immune systems.
Smokers are also at greater risk for periodontal disease. The chemicals/toxins in cigarettes cause constriction of the blood vessels that supply vital oxygen and nutrients to your teeth. These same toxins can cause the bacteria in your mouth to become more aggressive and reduce your immune system's ability to fight off infections, periodontal disease included. Smokers normally require more frequent, aggressive hygiene therapy in order to stay on top of the disease.
The frequency of cleanings is determined by your current oral health and any pre-existing conditions you may have. Our hygienists will assess your oral health and discuss the best course of treatment for your specific needs. They may use a combination of handscalers and ultrasonic scalers (water scaler) to remove hard and soft deposits above and below the gumline as well as any extrinsic stain (coffee, tea, nicotine, red wine).
We understand that a lot of people have sensitive teeth and/or gums and we are more than happy to provide local anesthetic (freezing) so that your experience is as comfortable and stress free as possible! Our main goal is to provide you with the most effective treatment and information to enable you to have the healthiest teeth and gums possible!
In order for our team to provide you with the most thorough and comprehensive treatment plan, dental x-rays may be necessary. We are pleased to inform you that we have invested in digital x-ray units and a digital panorex unit. Digital x-rays provide our dentists and hygienists with much more detailed information than traditional x-rays with the added bonus of reducing radiation exposure by almost half.