Maintaining good oral health by keeping your teeth free from cavities and preventing gum disease can seriously impact, in a very positive way, your overall health and vitality. Beyond affecting your appearance, self-esteem and enjoyment of food, research has linked bacteria in plaque and calculus (tartar) to heart disease, lung infection, respiratory disease, diabetes and premature birth.
Health Canada recommends brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and regularly visiting a dental professional. In Ontario, Registered Dental Hygienists (R D H) are recognized as a primary oral healthcare provider.
The Perfect Smile’s™ team of independent dental hygienists (and dentists, denturists) provide a full suite of services designed to help you keep your teeth and gums happy, healthy, and your smile bright.
Dental Services
Comprehensive Oral Assessment. All new patients undergo a complete examination, oral cancer check and periodontal assessment to determine the state of oral health and identify any conditions that may need immediate care. Medical and dental histories are recorded to establish baselines for future reference and treatments. As part of the oral cancer check, the head, neck, tongue and throat are all carefully examined for suspicious lesions.
Dental Cleaning. Regular teeth cleaning by a Registered Dental Hygienist is the foundational element of oral disease prevention. Cleaning, or scaling, removes accumulated tartar (mineralized plaque/calculus) that develops above and below the gum line, even with regular brushing and flossing. Cleaning serves to prevent cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis and bad breadth.
Polishing. Polishing smooths the tooth surface removing surface stains from coffee, tea, tobacco… giving you a whiter, brighter smile and that ultra-smooth feeling when you run your tongue over your squeaky clean teeth.
Fluoride Treatment. Fluoride combats the formation of tooth decay primarily by promoting the remineralization of the tooth, making the tooth more resistant to the formation of tooth decay and, by inhibiting oral bacteria’s ability to create acids which promote demineralization. In select cases, Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), a therapeutic product designated to arrest tooth decay, is used.
Desensitization. Tooth sensitivity is quite common in adults and the pain caused by sensitive teeth usually occurs after we consume hot, cold, aggressive brushing, or acidic food and drink. The dentin layer of the tooth, which is porous, can easily transmit stimulus like hot, cold, sweet and sour or touch sensations directly to the nerve of the tooth. Your dental hygienist may apply a desensitization agent to the affected area(s) if warranted.
Sealant. Back teeth (molars and premolars) have numerous pits and fissures on their biting surfaces and these areas of these teeth can often be difficult to clean. The dental hygienist may apply a sealant to create a hard, thin layer of tooth covering.
Temporary Restoration
In select cases, your dental hygienist may also recommend a temporary restoration in order to free the client from pain and to reduce the possibility of further damage to the tooth until the client is able to see a dentist. The material used by The Perfect Smile™ for the temporary restoration is a Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC). GICs are the material of choice for treating an active carious lesion for several reasons: durability, adherence, fluoride release that effectively kills any cariogenic bacteria still present in the outer perimeter, and protection of the margins of a restoration.
Referrals
Referral to a dentist or specialist will be provided should the assessment indicate further diagnosis is required.
For more information, please visit our Dental Hygiene Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.