Dental Exams & Cleanings in New Westminster

Dental Exams Near You

Regular dental exams are critical for maintaining your oral health, so don’t wait to book your next appointment. Though brushing and flossing are an important part of maintaining your teeth and gum health regular exams are important because they allow your dentist to catch small problems that can become worse over time.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During your dental exam in our New Westminster, BC, V3L 3B9 location, we will perform an oral cancer screening using a Velscope. Velscope is a revolutionary device that has changed the way dentists and dental hygienists look for signs of oral cancer. This hand-held device is easy to use, and was developed in collaboration with the British Columbia Cancer Agency and MD Anderson Cancer Centre, and was partially funded by the NIH.

This amazing piece of dental technology uses direct visualization to light up the tissue in our mouths. Depending on how the tissue lights up the Velscope can help point out tissue abnormalities to dentists and dental hygienists. This, in turn, makes it easier for your dental experts to screen you for oral cancer and help you get treatment faster.

Dental Exam Schedule

How often you schedule cleanings, exams, and x-rays is dependent on your unique dental needs. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that individuals should visit their dentist biannually. However, contingent upon your unique dental situation and needs, it may be recommend you visit more frequently.

There are several factors that determine how often your dentist will recommend you undergo a dental exam. These include:

• The quality of your oral hygiene routine
• All issues that must be examined or treated
• The frequency of tartar build-up on your teeth.

Dental Cleanings Near You

While flossing and brushing at least twice per day is an essential part of your oral health routine you should still have your teeth professionally cleaned regularly. During your visit, your dental hygienist will remove any plaque and tartar that has built up on your teeth and floss thoroughly between your teeth. Tartar is made up of mineralized plaque, and cannot be removed by brushing and flossing at home.

Are your gums inflamed? They shouldn’t be. Gum inflammation, redness, and irritation are symptoms of gingivitis, a common and mild form of gum disease. Gingivitis is caused by a buildup of plaque at your gum line and may cause your gums to bleed when you floss. Let our dental hygienists expertly remove the plaque and tartar and help restore the normal appearance and health of your gums.by brushing and flossing at home.

Even the most thorough at-home oral hygiene routine is rarely able to reach every nook and cranny in your mouth. Some spots are incredibly difficult to reach on your own, so your dental hygienist will focus their attention on these potentially problematic areas. After all of the tartar has been removed your teeth will be professionally polished.

Evaluating Gum Health

In addition to tartar removal, your dental cleaning will also include a periodontal probing. This procedure involves using a small plastic instrument to measure the gum pockets around each of your teeth. Deep gum pockets may be a sign that your gums are receding, and could be an indicator of gum disease.

This equipment uses direct visualization to light up the tissue in our mouths. Depending on how the tissue lights up the Velscope can help point out tissue abnormalities to dentists and dental hygienists. This, in turn, makes it easier for your dental experts to screen you for oral cancer and help you get the treatment you require.

Evaluating Bone Health

An essential part of your dental exam is to evaluate the bone levels that support your teeth. In addition to tartar removal, your dental cleaning will also include a periodontal probing. This procedure, called periodontal probing, involves using a small plastic instrument to measure the gum pockets around each of your teeth. Deep gum pockets may be a sign of bone loss and are indicative of periodontal disease.

At Artis Dental Centre, we are also trained to deliver LAPT (Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy). This painless procedure is targeted to address disease in deep gum pockets, keeping your gum pockets healthy and guarding against gum recession.

Dental Cleaning Schedule

How often you should undergo a professional cleaning depends on a variety of factors including:

• How deep your gum pockets are
• How healthy your gums are
• How fast tartar builds up on your teeth.

Most dentists recommend that patients visit them every three, six, or nine months. Your dentist in New Westminster, BC, V3L 3B9 will determine how often your teeth should be professionally cleaned based on your unique oral hygiene needs.

When was the last time you visited your dentist? Schedule an appointment with us in either our New Westminster, BC, V3L 3B9 location.

Artis Dental Centre offers quality dental exams and cleanings in New Westminster, BC, V3L 3B9.

Book your next appointment today!