Good oral hygiene practices are the foundation of good oral health. Brushing your teeth twice per day, and flossing at least once per day, is essential for keeping your smile happy and healthy. However, it isn’t enough to just practice good oral hygiene at home.
When most people think about visiting the dentist, they think of root canals and fillings, but an important part of your dental team’s job is preventative care. Regular dental visits are necessary because they allow your dental team to identify and address any problems, such as cavities, as well as give your teeth a more thorough cleaning than you can at home.
Keeping your teeth and gums happy and healthy is the goal of any dental practice, and to do that we need to see you for regular dental exams and cleanings.
Are you due for a dental exam? Request your appointment today!
Riverwalk Dental follows the Alberta Dental Association Fee Guideline.
Your child should be going for a dental exam and cleaning once per year starting around their first birthday. If your child has a high risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease your dentist may suggest that they visit more often.
We understand that visiting the dentist is not everyone’s favourite activity. That is why our friendly team works hard to ensure that you remain comfortable and calm during your visit.
Your dental visit is broken up into two main sections: the dental exam portion and the dental cleaning portion.
The goal of a dental exam is to check your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy. During your exam, the dentist will inspect each tooth and check for signs of decay, damage, diseases, or other problems. Your dentist will also examine your bite, to ensure that your jaws at teeth are correctly aligned.
Depending on how long it has been since your last visit your dentist may also take some x-rays. X-rays are necessary because they allow your dentist to review the health and structure of your jaws and the portions of your teeth that fall below the gumline.
Even if your teeth and gums are in good health, you should still see your dentist twice per year. Dentists are specially trained to detect oral health issues before you begin to notice symptoms, which means that you can start treatment earlier. If your dentist notices that something is amiss, they can begin preemptive treatment straight away. It is easier and less invasive to prevent problems before they progress than it is to fix problems once they have occurred.
Undergoing regular dental exams empower you and let you take a proactive approach towards your oral health.
Though brushing and flossing regularly are both integral to good oral health, you should still get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. Dental practices like Riverwalk Dental have the specialized skills and tools necessary to give your teeth and gums a thorough cleaning and address those hard-to-reach spots that you might miss during your regular brushing and flossing routine.
Though brushing and flossing can remove plaque, it can’t remove tartar. If plaque is allowed to sit on our teeth, it hardens into tartar. During a professional cleaning, your dental hygienist will use specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar from the small crevices and spaces you might not be able to tackle with an ordinary toothbrush and floss. This thorough, professional cleaning helps prevent cavities and gum disease.
Most appointments begin with scaling, a procedure that involves using small metal tools to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and from under your gum line.
Once all of the plaque and tartar has been removed your dental hygienist will brush and floss your teeth using a special gritty toothpaste and their professional flossing skills. After a quick rinse, your dental hygienist may treat your teeth and gums with fluoride. Fluoride is essential because it works like a sealant, protecting your teeth from cavities and other forms of decay.
To help ensure your visit leaves you smiling Riverwalk Dental offers specialty dental exams for nervous patients and children. These specialty exams allow us to ensure that all of your unique dental needs are met and that you, or your child, remain calm and comfortable during your visit.
Riverwalk Dental also offers a variety of dental services that benefit seniors, including dentures and dental implants.
If you have any questions about your dental exam or any of our other dental services, please contact us online or give us a call at (403) 456-4994.
We are conveniently located in Calgary’s East Village! Street parking is available out front, and our team will happily cover the costs of your parking, talk to our team for more information.