Hygiene /Periodontal Dentistry

Your Downtown Calgary Choice for Hygiene and Preventative Care!

Why are Regular Dental Cleanings and Exams Important?

Hygiene/Periodontal Dentistry is more than just Teeth Cleaning! Did you know that Periodontal Disease is the most common disease in the world and the leading cause of tooth loss in adults? In fact, 75% of adults have some form of periodontal disease. Gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, and loose teeth, are all signs of Periodontal Disease. Whether you have healthy gums or are in a state of active periodontal disease, regular dental cleanings by your dentist are an important step in preventative oral health care. Canterra Dental is committed to helping you maintain your gums and overall dental health, and that is why we are pleased to offer regular hygiene and periodontal appointments.

Dental Hygiene | Periodontal Dentistry | Canterra Dental Centre | Downtown Calgary | General and Family Dentist

Routine home care and maintenance, although highly effective, only focus on areas of the tooth that are above the gum line. It is only through regular cleaning of teeth above the gum line AND below the gum line (known as scaling and root planing) that we are able to keep gums and teeth healthy. With regular scaling procedures that remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from those hard-to-reach areas below the gum line, we are able to keep your gums healthy from top to bottom! Canterra Dental recommends visits twice yearly for maintenance/preventative care unless your oral health status dictates you require more frequent visits. Your dentist will determine the most appropriate oral hygiene schedule based on your specific case.

What Happens at a Dental Hygiene Appointment at Canterra Dental?

Depending on your preventative treatment schedule, your hygiene visit may include the following:

  • A complete periodontal assessment
  • Checking for any gum recession
  • Checking for the presence of gingivitis
  • Taking x-rays to check bone levels, if needed (a good indicator of chronic gum and bone disease)
  • Measuring the depth of periodontal pockets
  • Checking for loose teeth or bleeding gums
  • Removing plaque or tartar above and below the gum line
  • Polishing your teeth to remove any surface stains
  • Reviewing your home care techniques and their resulting effectiveness
  • An oral cancer screening and checking the tissues of the head and neck

During your hygiene/periodontal appointment, we use lasers and ultrasonic scalers for optimum cleaning. Periowave lasers are an effective, minimally invasive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory treatment that uses the powerful photo-disinfection reaction to inactivate the harmful bacteria and toxins that are left behind after scaling and root planing. An ultrasonic scaler consists of a wand with a small scaling tip that produces soft ultrasonic vibrations and a gentle flow of water. As the tip moves along the tooth surface, it creates small pulses that break up plaque, tartar, and other debris. Ultrasonic scaling has proven to be highly effective in removing large debris below the gum line in a very quick and efficient manner. Because of this, appointment times are shortened, and patient comfort is improved. However, to ensure complete care, hand scaling is still always completed afterward. Regular periodontal and preventative maintenance visits help us break the stronghold of bacteria in your gums and slow or eliminate their destructive effects.

Removal of tartar and bacteria are crucial to treating gingivitis, controlling periodontal disease, and preventing tooth decay. Call Canterra Dental today to begin the road to optimum oral health and wellness!

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Call Canterra Dental at (403) 237-6611 to set up your Dental Hygiene/Periodontal appointment today!

Our Mission

We are committed to maintaining a high standard of dentistry and to provide you with an efficient on-time experience. We believe in openly discussing and explaining your treatment options.

Our goal is to work directly with you to enhance your smile and your overall oral health.

Dr. Dennis Leung, DDS

Dr. Dennis Leung | Dentist | Canterra Dental Centre | Downtown Calgary | General and Family Dentist