Dental Hygiene Therapy

Discover what your dental hygiene appointment at Calgary Dental Centers entails:

• Prepare to be greeted warmly at our front desk and receive help completing the required forms.
• Your dental hygienist guides you once you’re settled in the treatment room.
• The session starts with a thorough mouth examination. The dental professional examines any signs of gum disease, tooth decay, or injuries like cracked or broken teeth, using a small mirror to assist. Her observations are recorded and ready for the dentists to evaluate.
• The next step is ultrasonic scaling. This technique carefully removes tartar or hardened plaque from teeth, focusing particularly on the gum line and the spaces between teeth.
• We then proceed to the teeth polishing phase. A low-speed handpiece is employed, and a small rubber cup containing a prophylaxis paste ensures your teeth shine bright. The paste is rinsed off, and any excess water is suctioned away.
• The appointment usually concludes with a flavored fluoride treatment. Fluoride gel is placed in flexible foam trays and sits comfortably in your mouth for a few minutes before a final mouth rinse.

Yes! Dental hygiene therapy does more than keep your teeth clean. It can reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes complications, and respiratory infections. Gum inflammation is linked to systemic health issues, so maintaining healthy gums through professional cleanings can positively impact your overall well-being. Your hygienist may also detect early signs of vitamin deficiencies, oral cancer, or other health concerns.

If your gums bleed after a cleaning, it’s usually a sign of inflammation caused by plaque buildup. This is common in patients with gingivitis or early-stage gum disease. The good news is that regular dental hygiene therapy helps reduce inflammation over time. To prevent post-cleaning bleeding, maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine at home, including brushing, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouth rinse.

Your diet plays a major role in oral health. Sugary and acidic foods contribute to plaque buildup and weaken enamel, making professional cleanings more necessary. On the other hand, a diet rich in fiber, calcium, and vitamin D supports healthy gums and teeth. Drinking water, reducing snacking, and eating crunchy fruits and vegetables can enhance the effectiveness of your hygiene therapy sessions.

Absolutely! Bad breath is often caused by bacteria, plaque, and food debris trapped between teeth and along the gumline. A professional cleaning removes odor-causing buildup, while your hygienist can recommend tongue cleaning and antibacterial mouth rinses to keep your breath fresher for longer. If bad breath persists despite good oral care, it may indicate an underlying issue like dry mouth or gum disease.

Patients with gum disease typically need hygiene therapy every 3 to 4 months instead of the usual 6-month cleanings. More frequent visits help prevent bacteria from spreading and allow your hygienist to monitor healing. Skipping appointments can cause gum disease to progress, leading to bone loss and potential tooth loss. Your dentist will create a customized schedule based on the severity of your condition.

Yes! If caught early, gingivitis (the first stage of gum disease) can be reversed with professional cleanings, improved oral hygiene, and lifestyle changes. Dental hygiene therapy removes plaque and tartar buildup, while at-home care, like daily flossing and using an antimicrobial mouthwash, helps keep gums healthy. Early intervention is crucial since gum disease cannot be completely reversed once it develops into periodontitis; it can only be maintained.