Dental Hygiene Center, North York - Dental Hygienist Toronto

	Assessment of Oral Conditions Your first visit begins with a personal, medical and dental review. Next your blood pressure and heart rate will be taken. Clients with joint replacements or heart valve problems may require antibiotic premedication; this will be determined by a consultation with your physician. We will check your head and neck for any abnormalities, screen for oral cancer, do a thorough examination of your teeth and surrounding structures, including an assessment of your oral hygiene. All this information will be used to prepare a treatment plan specific to your needs. If required, you will be referred to the appropriate healthcare professional for further examination.
	Oral Cancer Screening The dental hygienist will check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues and gums for any signs of oral cancer. Early stages of oral cancer are often asymptomatic. Most early signs of oral cancer are painless. If necessary, referrals to appropriate healthcare providers will be made.
	Professional Teeth Cleaning (Scaling) Periodontal gum disease is one of the body’s most common infectious diseases which may contribute to tooth loss and other health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, diabetes, premature and low birth weight babies. Scaling is the removal of hard deposits (calculus) and soft deposits (plaque) above and below the gum line. We offer ultrasonic scaling and hand scaling. This is charged in units of time. Each unit is 15 minutes. The amount of scaling time required for each individual varies on the condition of the gums and amount of deposits. The removal of plaque and calculus is the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums, to prevent periodontitis or even reverse gingivitis.
	Stain Removal (Polishing) After a thorough scaling, selective polishing will be conducted if needed. There are two types of stains: intrinsic stains and extrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains are within the tooth structure and cannot be removed by polishing. Extrinsic stains that are usually caused by tobacco use, tea or coffee are removed by polishing.
	Fluoride Treatments If you have a history of decay or sensitive teeth, an in-office fluoride treatment will be offered to you. Fluoride treatment helps strengthen tooth enamel and supports the remineralisation process, preventing or minimizing sensitivity.
	Desensitizing An extremely sensitive tooth or area of your mouth that does not respond to the fluoride treatment may benefit from the application of a stronger desensitizing agent. This liquid will be placed directly on the area affected, blocking the exposed dentin and preventing or reducing pain and sensitivity.
	Pit and Fissure Sealants Pit and fissure sealants are a clear, acrylic-like material that helps preventing decay on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The grooves or pits and fissures in these molars are often very deep and narrow making it very difficult for the toothbrush to clean it thoroughly. Sealants are a comfortable low cost way to help prevent your child’s back teeth from decay. There is no freezing or drilling necessary for this procedure. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the narrow grooves that would cause decay. It is recommended that sealants be placed on 6-year old and 12-year old molars as soon as they erupt. A visit with your dental hygienist will determine your child’s needs.
	Custom Sports Mouth Guards Professional custom-fitted mouth guards can help prevent injuries to your teeth and face in all types of sports. Custom made mouth guards give you a comfortable fit, easier breathing, improvement of speech for better communication and proper protection.
	Teeth Whitening (Take-Home) A bright smile increases confidence. Before any professional whitening treatment can be initiated your teeth and mouth must be assessed and any necessary cleaning or gum treatment must be completed. Your dental professional will help you decide what is the best treatment for you. Take-Home teeth whitening will use a whitening gel in a custom made tray to whiten your teeth. This method will take 1-2 weeks to whiten your teeth. As with all whitening products, you may experience some tooth sensitivity. You may use a sensitivity toothpaste or fluoride rinse to prevent or treat the sensitivity. Teeth whitening is considered to be very safe.
	Teeth Whitening (In-Office) In-office teeth whitening gives you immediate results. A whitening agent will be placed on your teeth for about an hour. Crowns, bridges, veneers and tooth coloured fillings will not whiten.
	Professional Denture Care Full and partial dentures should be checked and professionally cleaned on a regular basis. We will remove any deposits and stains from your dentures and we will guide you on how to maintain them.
	Laser Gum Treatment-Periowave – Coming Soon Periodontitis or gum disease affects about 75% of adults. Some of the signs of gum disease are swollen and bleeding gums, persistent bad breath and loose teeth. Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease in the earlier stage can often be reversed with regular visits with your dental hygienist. More advanced stages will require surgical treatments. During a periodontal evaluation the dental hygienist will measure pocket depths to determine the health of the gum tissue. When your periodontal health is evaluated the dental hygienist will work with you to determine treatment and frequency of your dental hygiene visits. Periowave is a quick and painless technology that works to kill bacteria associated with periodontal disease. It is safe and effective. It is a chair side treatment that takes one minute per periodontal pocket and offers no discomfort to the client. Ask your dental hygienist if Periowave is right for you.
	Personalized Oral Hygiene Instructions The dental hygienist will customize an oral hygiene program for you based on the condition of your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to improved overall health
	Swarovski Tooth Crystals Swarovski tooth crystals are simple, subtle and shimmering. They are manufactured by dental professionals and can be applied to the tooth in 5 minutes. Our application requires no drilling and no holes. It is completely painless and will not harm the tooth. Our tooth jewellery will last anywhere from one month up to a year but can be easily removed at any time. It is perfect for those who want a bit of glamour and fun. They are truly chic, yet elegant. Add sparkle and style to your smile!