Teeth Cleaning Calgary

-Zachery Santa, 

A woman smiles as she sees her smile reflected in a tooth shaped mirror

No one plans for a dental emergency!

At Macleod Trail Dental, we do plan for dental emergencies. In fact, we specialize in providing emergency dental Calgary services, offering same-day care to accommodate unexpected dental issues.

Due to the critical nature of emergency situations, we assign blocks in our daily schedule specifically allocated to dental injuries or unforeseen accidents. Therefore, we provide you with the attention you need when an emergency arises. Furthermore, our team of emergency dentists is well trained and well equipped to handle any situation.

What happens during a dental cleaning?

Teeth cleaning is a simple and painless process for getting healthier, whiter teeth! Knowing what to expect prior to your dental cleaning appointment can take away any apprehension and help you to enjoy the process and especially the results!

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Step 1: Physical Exam

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Step 2: Scaling

With the use of a scaling tool, one of our dental hygienists will remove any plaque and tartar from around your gum line, as well as in between your teeth. Scaling is a more extensive procedure than a standard dental cleaning because it involves cleaning the areas below the gum line.

However, this is an important part of professional teeth cleaning because it prevents the development or progression of gum disease.

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Step 3: Polish

Once your teeth are plaque-free, one of our dental hygienists will use a high-powered electric brush to removes any residual tartar.

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Step 4: Fluoride Treatment

The last step in the teeth cleaning process is a fluoride treatment where a foamy gel is put into a pan and onto your teeth to sit for one minute. This foamy gel acts as a protectant for your teeth to help fight cavities.

Get your teeth cleaned!

Contact us today to book your teeth cleaning appointment.

Why is teeth cleaning important?

Regular professional teeth cleanings are important because they remove plaque, tartar buildup, and stains from your teeth as well as improve your overall dental health! Teeth cleaning helps individuals avoid costly, and sometimes long-term dental issues in the future.

a doctor showing a patient a partial tooth display

Benefits Of Regular Teeth Cleaning

Some of the most common benefits of regular teeth cleanings include fresher breath, a brighter smile, and avoiding tooth loss. However, other significant benefits of teeth cleanings also include:

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Improving Your Smile & Confidence

A brilliant smile is one of the first things people notice about you! When you come in for professional teeth cleaning, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar that can discolour your teeth that give them a yellowed appearance. You’ll also receive advice on the proper teeth whitening products to use when needed.

illustration icon of teeth on top of a gum line with a medical cross

Gum Disease Prevention

When you come in for regular professional teeth cleaning, our dentists use special tools to remove plaque and tartar and allow your gum tissues to heal. Quarterly dental cleaning is typically enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, you may need to come in more frequently if your doctor notices that you’re starting to develop cavities. Remember, ignoring cavities can lead to bigger problems, which can ultimately result in severe pain and tooth loss.

illustration of a white tooth with a heart around it

Minimizes Risk Of A Heart Attack Or Stroke

Professional teeth cleaning is one of the best solutions available for preventing heart disease related to oral problems. The dental bacteria that develop in the mouth because of poor dental hygiene can travel to the valves of the heart through your bloodstream.

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Minimizes The Risk Of Other Illnesses Including Oral Cancer, Diabetes, & Dementia

When you come in for teeth cleaning, the dentist examines all the sections of the mouth for early signs of not only cancer, but diabetes. Some symptoms include rough spots with crusts on them and red or white patches. Some patients also develop sores that refuse to heal. Getting treatment in the early stages is the best chance for preventing the disease from spreading.

an illustration icon of a tooth in the middle of an x-ray image

Early Detection Of Dental Problems Saves You Money In The Long Run

When you come in for your quarterly dental cleaning, the hygienist will examine the entire dental structure of your mouth. They’ll let you know in case you’ve developed problems like cracked or chipped teeth, cavities, or if you have missing fillings. You’ll then be able to manage these problems before they get worse!

FAQs

Gum disease is an inflammation of the periodontal (gum and bone) tissues. Regularly removing the bacteria and tartar off your teeth reduces inflammation in your mouth and keeps your gums healthy and happy. If your gums become unhealthy, your teeth can become loose, causing a whole host of problems.

For our dental hygienists to perform a comprehensive dental cleaning, it takes approximately 30-60 minutes. This depends on several factors including:

  • X-rays that need to be taken.
  • Amount of plaque build up on your teeth.
  • Whether or not the dentist will need to perform an exam.
  • The time period since your last dental cleaning.

Gum disease is the infection of the gum tissue that holds your teeth in place and is the most common cause of tooth loss today! Even more frightening is the fact that the majority of gum disease sufferers have no idea that they are experiencing the negative effects of gum disease and the resultant jaw bone infection.

The signs of gum disease or other tooth problems are:

  • Red, swollen gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Bleeding gums
  • Bad breath
  • Growing gaps between teeth

If you notice any of the above dental issues, contact us right away for a dentistry consultation. The sooner your gum tissue and supporting bone is treated — the better! Not only does periodontal disease damage your teeth and supporting structures, it may place a person at more risk for complications related to diabetes and heart disease.

Our hygienists customize treatments for your “gum tissue” to your unique needs. The traditional 6-month “cleaning” does not always work for everyone. As part of our soft tissue program, we use therapy techniques which include the use of micro-ultrasonic scalers (much more gentle than the traditional scraping) and diode lasers.

Yes, typically, teeth cleaning is covered by insurance. However, your plan may have limits on the number of cleanings they will cover each year. For the healthiest mouth, we recommend a cleaning every six months. Check with your insurance company before you book an appointment to make sure you know what your benefits cover.

Yes, scaling and polishing can remove some stain on your teeth, giving the effect of whiter teeth.

You can rest assured that professional teeth cleaning does not usually cause discomfort or pain. However, if you do sense pain, it could be the result of inflammation arising from tooth decay and gum disease. Patients who have receding gums may also feel more discomfort. Do inform our dentists of your sensitivity prior to your appointment — we’ll apply a topical anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

If you’re nervous about coming in for professional teeth cleaning or if you’re bringing in kids, take these steps to make the experience less scary:

  1. Talk to the staff at our clinic about your (or your children’s) anxiety. We can offer different dental sedation options to make you (or their) experience more comfortable.
  2. Spend some time with our dentists talking about what to expect and the different steps in the teeth cleaning procedure. Also, allow your kids to watch while you get your own teeth cleaned — they’ll feel a lot more secure when it’s their turn!
  3. Take a painkiller, such as Advil, before and afterward to numb any possible discomfort.
  4. Eat a filling meal so that hunger does not add to the anxiety.
  5. Let the hygienist know of the hand signals you’ll use in case you sense any pain or discomfort. We’ll know when to stop right away!
  6. Breathe deeply in and out to let go of the stress. If you’re bringing kids, talking to them in a low voice can help. You can also play music to keep them relaxed.
  7. Get an appointment for a day and time of the week when you’re less anxious.
  8. Schedule professional teeth cleaning for kids after their naptimes, so they’re not cranky and irritable.

Ready for a brighter, healthier smile?

Contact us to learn more about dental cleanings or to book your appointment!

A photo of three calgary dentists from MacLeod Trail Dental. Dr. Jennifer Yu on the left. Dr. Jennifer Silver in the middle, and Dr. Endeep Gill smiling on the right

About The Caring Dentists of Macleod Trail Dental

Our dentists use their expertise in general and cosmetic dentistry to provide the best, most caring care possible. They love answering dental questions and finding the right solutions for all of our patients. If you need a new dentist in SW Calgary that you can trust, Macleod Trail Dental is here to help!

Schedule a Consult with Dr. Jennifer Silver

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