What a Dental Cleaning in Markham Involves

If you’ve never had a dental cleaning Markham before, you’re probably wondering what to expect. There’s no reason to be concerned — a teeth cleaning is a fast and painless routine procedure, often carried out by a dental hygienist. It tends to involve a few basic steps.

A Recap of Your Medical History

Before you can receive a cleaning, your dentist needs to know about your medical history. This is because cleaning your teeth causes bacteria to enter your bloodstream. For almost everyone, this causes no problems. However, if you are high risk for an infection, your dentist needs to know about it. You can still receive the cleaning — you’ll just need to take an antibiotic first.

Your dentist may also ask about your family’s medical history. Find out before your appointment if any close family members have a history of gum disease.

The Cleaning

The cleaning itself takes 30 minutes to one hour and requires the use a few different tools.

  1. It starts with an ultrasonic instrument to knock large pieces of plaque off your teeth.
  2. Next, manual scalers and curettes remove small pieces of plaque and tartar.
    • Your dental hygienist will also use an instrument to spray your mouth with water mist to wash away the plaque and tartar.
  3. After they are clean, your dental hygienist will polish your teeth with a prophylaxis paste to make them smooth.

If you also need fluoride treatment, you will also receive it at this time. In the case you do receive fluoride treatment, you will have to refrain from eating for 30 minutes.

Brush Technique

After the cleaning, your dental hygienist will give you recommendations on how to improve your oral health. This will likely involve showing you the proper brush technique.

Talk to your Markham dentist about scheduling a teeth cleaning at your next checkup.

 

Types of Mouth Guards in Markham to Protect Your Teeth

When looking for a mouthguard Markham, you have three options: a stock mouthguard, a boil and bite protector, or a custom-fitted mouthguard. It is important to think carefully about your choice, as what you choose will impact how well your teeth are protected.

Stock Mouth Protectors

Your least expensive option is a stock mouth protector. You can find these for sale in pharmacies, sports stores, and department stores. As they are cheap, they offer only the most basic protection and tend to be very much one-size-fits-all. Plus, there is little you can do to improve the fit. This means stock mouth guards tend to be uncomfortable and can even make breathing difficult.

Boil and Bite Mouth Guards

For a little extra money, you can purchase a boil and bite mouth guard, made from a thermoplastic. You place the mouth guard in hot water to soften the plastic and the place it in your mouth. You then bite down on the material and mold it into the shape of your teeth using a finger and your tongue. Although they do fit better than stock protectors, boil and bite mouth guards are still quite uncomfortable and will only offer you minimal protection.

Custom-Made Mouth Guards

Your best option is a custom-fitted mouth guard. These are available from your Markham dentist. Receiving a custom mouthguard requires two trips to your dental clinic. At the first, your dentist will take an impression of your mouth. At this time, you will also discuss any specifications, such as level of protection according to the sports you play.

The impression, along with your specifications, will be sent to a dental lab. Once your mouth guard is ready, you will return to the clinic. Your dentist will check the fit and comfort, making any necessary adjustments, before you leave.

 

5 Facts About Tooth Bridges

If you are missing one or more of your teeth, a tooth bridge could be an option to fill the gap. Before deciding on a tooth bridge Markham, there are a few things you should know.

  1. There Are Three Types of Bridges

Although traditional bridges are the most common, there are also cantilever bridges and Maryland bonded bridges. A traditional bridge consists of a pontic held by two crowns on the teeth on either side of the bridge. These bridges tend to be made from porcelain fused to metal or ceramic.

A cantilever bridge can fill a gap when there are only teeth on one side of the bridge. This type of bridge is now less common, however, as it places a high amount of pressure on the back teeth. Maryland bonded bridges can also fit to just one tooth. They feature metal and porcelain wings rather than crowns.

  1. Tooth Bridges Have Several Benefits

By filling the space left by missing teeth, a bridge restores your appearance when you smile, properly distributes chewing forces when you eat, and helps you speak. In addition a bridge maintains the shape of your face, stopping your cheeks from sinking inward, and it stops other teeth from drifting into the gap.

  1. Bridges Are Durable

Bridges last for at least five years, but with proper care they can last up to 15 years or more. To maximize the lifespan of your bridge, practice good oral hygiene and receive regular checkups from your dentist.

  1. It Is Easy to Take Care of Your Bridge

Caring for your bridge is much the same as caring for natural teeth. Most importantly, you need to keep the teeth supporting the bridge healthy by brushing twice a day and using mouthwash to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

What Are My Options if I Have Missing Teeth?

Having missing teeth can be a huge problem for some people. Many people choose to ignore a missing tooth if it is located in the back and not very noticeable. But what happens if you are missing more than one tooth or you have a gap your teeth and it is very noticeable?

Your dentists in Markham are likely to suggest one of three options for replacing missing teeth.

  • Dentures
  • Dental Implants
  • Dental Bridges

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What is Dental Care?

When we speak of dental care, many may think of it as just keeping their regularly scheduled checkups. Some think of dental care only as something they obtain if there is an emergency, or if they need a quick fix for a tooth. Depending on each situation, it can be viewed differently. But the primary purpose of dental care is to make the most of oral care for the entire family, from the youngest to the aged.

Dental Care Means Routine Visits

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