Preventative Services

Preventative
Services

Our passion is your good health.
It all begins with your Dental Hygienist.

The Hygiene Team at Hamilton Smiles is comprised of independently practicing dental hygienists who are able to charge 20-40% less, compared to the Ontario Dental Association suggested fee guide, for the exact same services offered at your dentist’s office. Our focus is on prevention which includes routine dental check-ups as well as good at-home oral hygiene.

As each of our clients is unique, so are the programs we create to keep your teeth and gums in perfect shape.

ORAL HYGIENE INSTRUCTION

Our dental hygiene program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit with your hygienist, oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and reinforced at subsequent recall visits.

Based on the condition of your teeth and gums, your dental hygienist will customize an oral hygiene program for you between visits and may advise on other oral health matters, such as lowering sugar intake and smoking cessation.

TEETH CLEANING & CUSTOMIZED SCALING

Brushing and flossing daily is key. If you notice swollen, red and bleeding gums when you floss or brush or loose and sensitive teeth, then you may have Gingivitis, an early sign of gum disease (Periodontitis). Bacteria from your mouth will travel through your bloodstream. With this onset, your body will focus energy on fighting the disease which will in turn stress your immune system and may put you at a higher risk for developing respiratory problems, heart disease and even certain types of cancers. Removal of plaque and calculus beneath the gum line (scaling), as well as a consistent daily oral hygiene program is the only way to prevent Gingivitis and subsequently Periodontitis. This combined with regular cleanings will keep your teeth and gums in optimum condition. Healthy gums help serve as an anchor to keep your teeth in place and your teeth will be more secure.

Dental cleaning times may vary depending on each client’s individualized needs.
We generally recommend our clients come for a check-up and cleaning every 6 months. Some people can come every 9 months and a few would need to visit more frequently to ensure that their oral health is maintained at an optimal level.

GINGIVITIS EXAMPLE (on left)

POLISHING & STAIN REMOVAL

Brighten and whiten your smile.

Polishing is performed following your dental cleaning. And results in a pearly shine. Polishing is done using a slow-speed hand-piece with a soft rubber cup that spins over the surface of your teeth and is painless. This process will help in removing coffee, tea and tobacco stains. Our polishes come in a nice variety of pleasant flavours.

DESENSITIZATION

Sensitivity in your teeth occurs when the dentin (the underlying layer of your teeth) becomes exposed as a result of receding gum tissue. The roots of your teeth contain tubules leading to the nerves. Once exposed hot, cold or sweet food reaches these nerves and causes pain. Rather than avoiding certain dishes or using desensitizing toothpaste, you may opt for the application of a desensitizing agent that blocks the exposed dentin or root surface, reducing pain and sensitivity. In most cases, regular visits to the hygienist will result in healthy gums and eliminate the need for desensitizing.

FRESH BREATH

Everyone knows that your breath is one of the most important tools of your day-to-day life; but is it always the freshest it can be? Halitosis is the noticeably unpleasant odour that is exhaled with every breath. Halitosis is caused by a variety of factors, from something as easy as diet to more complex issues such as infection or dry mouth; and we can help assess the issue with you.

Medical studies indicate that 85% of people with ongoing bad breath, (halitosis) are caused by dental problems. Having a good oral hygiene regimen is essential in preventing bad breath. Regular 4-6 Month checkups and dental cleanings are the best way to make sure you are keeping good oral hygiene.

ORAL CANCER SCREENING

According to the British Columbia Cancer Research Centre approximately 3200 Canadians will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year and many more will be diagnosed with dysplasia (pre-cancer). Screening for oral cancer is critical for early diagnosis and treatment and is quick and painless. This procedure takes about 5 minutes.

Cavity Prevention Sealants for Children

Cavity prevention sealants are very important for children with newly growing teeth. The safe coating is applied to the back teeth (usually the premolars and molars) providing a protective coating. This seals up the small grooves in the teeth and prevents bacteria from entering which could result in decay. Sealants can last up to 10 years.

Cavity prevention sealants are very important for children with newly growing teeth. The safe coating is applied to the back teeth (usually the premolars and molars) providing a protective coating. This seals up the small grooves in the teeth and prevents bacteria from entering which could result in decay. Sealants can last up to 10 years.

Fluoride Treatments

An in-office fluoride treatment will be offered to you if you have a history of decay or sensitive teeth. Fluoride aids in the prevention of decay as well as sensitivity by strengthening the enamel of the teeth and aiding in the re-mineralizing process.

Custom Fit Mouth Guards for Sports and Teeth Grinding

Hamilton Smiles offers custom mouthguards for all ages. Mouth guards are essential in the prevention of trauma and injury to soft tissues of the mouth, the teeth and the jaw during sporting activities. In addition, we offer a great solution to nightly teeth grinding and jaw clenching with Night Guards by NTI. This small device is essential to those with this issue.

On-Site Xrays

Hamilton Smiles offers a wide range of professional dental hygiene services including on-site digital X-rays.

Teeth Whitening

Have you always wanted a bright white smile? Teeth whitening is a great option for people with staining due to coffee, tea or smoking. Our in-office state-of-the-art bleaching system, Wicked White is safe and will give you the dazzling smile you desire, with long-lasting results. You may also use our take-home bleaching system to achieve a brighter and whiter smile in a matter of days.