Oral Hygiene Appointments in North Vancouver
Lonsdale Dental CentreBook Your Oral Hygiene Appointment
Why Book an Oral Hygiene Appointment?
Every dental hygiene appointment is an opportunity to check on your oral health. Our dental hygienists have been trained in oral health practices and can provide you with treatments and advice to offer long-term protection for your oral health.
Why Book an Oral Hygiene Appointment?
At-home oral hygiene routines are essential, but there are some areas and issues that need to be seen and treated by a professional dental hygienist. At every oral hygiene appointment, we can offer preventative treatments that will help to reduce the need for costly dental repairs and procedures.
What to Expect at an Oral Hygiene Appointment
We strive to make every appointment a positive experience, even when there are oral health challenges. Our dental hygienists ensure you are comfortable and walk you through everything we will be doing. We’ll give you instructions throughout the appointment, and during treatments, you can always raise your hand to let us know if you need anything (even a short break!)
Medical History
Basic Teeth and Gum Examination
There are several treatments that are typically performed during a dental hygiene appointment. However, your specific treatments will depend on your specific needs.
There are several treatments that are typically performed during a dental hygiene appointment. However, your specific treatments will depend on your specific needs.
Scaling
To remove build-ups of plaque and tartar, your dental hygienist will use a hooked tool to scrape the build-up off the teeth. This removes tough build-ups that can’t be removed with a toothbrush at home. The focus may be on areas where it is difficult to clean the teeth, such as the backs of the front teeth.
Root Planing
Root planning helps remove plaque build-up from under the gum line, helping to prevent gum disease.
Polishing
Tooth polishing uses a specialized toothbrush and gritty toothpaste. This removes staining on the teeth.
Flossing
Your dental hygienist will floss your teeth carefully, looking for any issues with the gums, including bleeding. Regular flossing at home will reduce or eliminate bleeding.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride protects the teeth and prevents tooth decay. You may be given a fluoride treatment at the end of your appointment to increase your fluoride protection.
Home Care Instructions
Once your teeth and mouth are feeling fresh, we’ll provide you with some strategies and tools you can take home to care for your teeth between appointments.
Oral Hygiene FAQs
How Often Should I Schedule an Appointment?
For most people, we recommend booking an oral hygiene appointment every 6 months to one year. Your specific oral health needs will determine our recommendation for you.
How Long Do Oral Hygiene Appointments Last?
Dental hygiene appointments are typically scheduled for about one hour. This allows our dental hygienists plenty of time to ensure we provide all the treatments required to get your teeth looking and feeling clean and healthy. Your appointment may be shorter or longer, depending on your specific needs.
Oral Hygiene for Babies & Kids
Teaching kids good oral hygiene routines from a young age is one of the best ways to ensure their long-term oral health. Here are a few ways you can help kids create a stellar routine at home.
- Under two years old: brush your child’s teeth with a soft toothbrush.
- Brush alongside your child after they are about 8 years old to show them the best way to brush and ensure they brush for long enough.
- Once your child is over 8, ensure your child follows the same daily routine, but they don’t need to be supervised anymore.
- Floss for your child until they can learn how to do it on their own.
- Make brushing and flossing fun with special toothbrushes and toothpastes, songs, or games.
- Book regular dental hygiene appointments and oral exams with your Vancouver dentist.
- Explain in simple terms what happens when the teeth are not brushed regularly.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, our team is happy to help! We can provide advice and guidance tailored to your family. Call our Vancouver dental offices today.
Children should visit the dentist within six months of their first tooth coming in or before their 1st birthday.
Book a Dental Hygiene Appointment in Vancouver
Everyone deserves great dental care at all ages and stages of life. It’s never too late to start or restart your oral health care. Book your next dental hygiene appointment with our experienced, family-friendly dental health team at Lonsdale Dental Centre today.