Regular Dental Checkup

Initial Inspection

We will check your mouth for causes of concerns, such as inflamed gums (gingivitis) and dark spots on the teeth (potential cavities). In addition, before the cleaning begins, we will check if you have any concerns regarding your teeth or gums.

Dental X-ray

During most dental check-ups, we will take digital x-rays of your teeth and mouth. This process is quick and safe, and helps alert us to any issues that were not identified during the initial inspection. Dental x-rays are especially important for new patients, as they allow us to quickly assess the current state of our patients’ teeth and gums before proceeding with further treatments.

Removal of Plaque and Tartar

Using a scaler, the dentist will remove the plaque and tartar around your gum line and between your teeth.  Plaque is the bacteria that builds up in your mouth in and around your teeth, and can potentially cause cavities and gum diseases. 

Power Polishing and Fluoride Treatment

Applying a special toothpaste to a power toothbrush, we will polish the patient’s teeth, leaving them smooth and shiny. This process is not painful at all but may be loud due to the use of the powerful electric toothbrush.

Fluoride treatment will help protect your teeth against cavities until your next dental check-up. A mouthpiece that fits over your teeth will be filled with fluoride foam or gel, and will remain in your mouth for about a minute. Afterwards, you will rinse out the excess fluoride with water.

Oral Cavities

How to prevent cavities?

Brushing your teeth and removing plaque at least two times a day, especially after eating and before bed, and flossing at least once a day is important to remove plaque between your teeth. You should brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and angle the bristles about 45 degrees toward the gum line. Brush for about the length of one song on the radio (three minutes). You can check with your dentist or hygienist on the proper brushing methods.

How will I know if I have a cavity?

This may sound a bit surprising to most people, but a large majority of cavities are completely painless. This is because the outer enamel has no nerves, so only when the cavity enters the underlying dentin, then the cavity may begin to feel sensitive.

The most common symptoms are an increased sensation to cold, sweet foods or beverages. A cavity is often responsible for a tooth that breaks. The cavity weakens the tooth, especially when it forms under a filling or a tooth cusp, and can easily cause a fracture when biting down.

Patients are sometimes taken off guard when they learn that they have a few cavities but they don’t have any symptoms. It is far better to treat a small cavity than to wait until they have symptoms, such as pain. By the time there are symptoms, the cavity may have spread to infect the dental pulp, necessitating a root canal procedure or an extraction to eliminate the infection.

Regular dental exams, at least twice a year, will greatly reduce the likelihood that a dental cavity will go undetected and spread, causing pain and infecting the dental pulp.

How do dentists detect cavities?

Cavities are detected in a number of ways. The most common are clinical (visual & tactile) and radiographic (X-ray) examinations during a dental check-up.

Teeth that are discoloured (usually brown or black) can sometimes indicate a dental cavity.

Dental X-rays are very useful in finding cavities that are wedged between the teeth or under the gum line. These “hidden” cavities are difficult or impossible to detect visually or with the explorer.

Who has a higher risk of developing cavities?

People who have reduced saliva flow due to diseases such as Sjogren Syndrome; dysfunction of their salivary glands; have undergone cancer chemotherapy or radiation; and who smoke are more likely to develop cavities. Saliva is important in fighting cavities because it can rinse away plaque and food debris and help neutralize acid.

People who have limited manual dexterity and have difficulty removing plaque from their teeth may also have a higher risk of forming cavities. Some people have naturally lower oral pH, which makes them more likely to have cavities.

Dental X-rays

Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist examines your mouth. Dental X-ray examinations are an important part of a regular dental check-up as it helps us to detect problems which may not be obvious during the initial examination.

A dental X-ray examination may reveal:

• small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing fillings
• gum disease
• position of wisdom teeth and risk of surgery (proximity to nerve)
• temporomandibular joint disease
• unerupted or missing or abnormal permanent teeth
• some types of cysts, tumors or cancers

Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and unnecessary discomfort. It can detect damage to oral structures not visible during a regular exam. If you have a hidden tumor, radiographs may even help save your life. The radiation exposure from dental X-rays is very low, especially from digital X-rays now used. Should you have further concerns, do not hesitate to let us know.

Are dental radiographs detrimental to my health?

No, in fact dental radiographs pose very little harm to an individual’s health. We are exposed to radiation in our everyday life from various sources, such as frequent aeroplane travel and high altitudes, soil minerals and electrical appliances in our homes (computers and television screens).

It would take 20 full-mouth series of dental radiographs to equal the amount of radiation the average citizen picks up from background sources each year.

Can pregnant women take X-rays?

Due to the low doses of radiation, dental X-rays are considered safe during pregnancy. It’s advisable to wear lead protection over the baby, particularly in the first trimester.

Please inform any of our staff beforehand if you are pregnant.

Gendex Dental X-ray Machine

This machine provides low dosage X-rays and can take a full mouth (Panoramic) X-ray in digital format. We use a Gendex expert DC for small X-rays. The X-ray film is placed inside the mouth, has a short exposure time and allows sharp images.