How Shawnessy Dental Centre is responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dental Exams & Cleanings in Calgary

Good oral hygiene is the foundation of good oral health. Brushing your teeth at least twice per day, and flossing at least once per day, is critical for keeping your smile happy and healthy. However, it isn’t enough to just practice good oral hygiene at home. You also need to visit your dentist regularly.

When most people think of a visit to the dentist’s office, they may think of root canals and fillings, but preventative care is a huge part of your dental team’s job. Regular dental visits allow your dental team to identify and treat any problems (such as cavities and gum disease) that arise, as well as give your teeth a more thorough cleaning than you can at home.

Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. When was your last dental exam? Book your next appointment today.

Shawnessy Dental Centre follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

Dental Exam Schedule

Most patients should undergo a dental exam and cleaning at least once every six months. These semi-annual visits allow your dental team to:

Examine your teeth and gums
Ensure that your at-home dental hygiene routine is meeting your needs
Remove any plaque that has built up since your last visit
Address any questions or concerns you may have

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The Anatomy of a Dental Visit

We understand that not everyone is thrilled to visit the dentist. To help ensure your visit is a pleasant one, our team works hard to provide you with a calm and comfortable experience.

Each dental visit is divided into two main parts: the dental exam and the dental cleaning.

Dental Exam

During your dental exam, your dentist will check your teeth and gums to ensure that they are healthy. To do this, your dentist will inspect each tooth and check for signs of damage, decay, disease, or other problems. Your dentist will also examine your bite, which ensures that your teeth and jaws are aligned correctly.

If it’s been a while since your last visit, your dentist may take some x-rays. X-rays allow your dentist to review the structure and health of your jaws, and lets them examine the portions of your teeth that fall below the gumline.

Even if your teeth and gums are healthy, you should still see your dentist every six months. Dentists are specially trained to detect oral health issues before they exhibit symptoms. The earlier problems are detected, the sooner treatment can begin. If your dentist notices that something isn’t quite right, they can begin treatent straight away and prevent more extensive problems later on. It’s always easier and less invasive to prevent problems than it is to address issues once they have already occurred.

Regular dental exams allow you to approach your oral health proactively.

Dental Cleaning

Brushing your teeth at least twice per day, and flossing at least once per day, are both essential aspects of any good oral health routine. However, even if you never forget to brush or floss, it’s still critical for you to have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice per year.

Dental practices like Shawnessy Dental Centre have the necessary skills and specialized tools required to remove built-up plaque and tartar from spaces that are too small for your ordinary toothbrush to reach. This bi-annual professional cleaning helps prevent both cavities and gum disease.

Most cleanings begin with scaling, which involves using small metal tools to gently remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. These tools are also thin enough to reach under your gum line, removing plaque and other debris that ordinary toothbrushes and dental floss can’t reach.

Once all the plaque and tartar has been removed your dental hygienist will floss your teeth using their professional flossing skills, and brush your pearly whites with a special gritty toothpaste. After a quick rinse, your dental hygienist may give you a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is important because it works as a sealant, and protects your teeth from decay.

Specialized Dental Exams

To help ensure all of our patients leave our office smiling, Shawnessy Dental Centre offers specialized exams for children and nervous patients. These specially tailored exams allow us to ensure your unique dental needs are met, and that you, or your child, remain calm and comfortable.

To help you get the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, Shawnessy Dental Centre also offers a wide selection of specialty services, as well as cosmetic services.

If you have any questions about dental exams or cleanings, or any of our other dental services, please contact our office.