Cleaning & Prevention

Checkups

And The Importance of Preventative Care

Scheduling routine dental checkups with your dental team is the best way to keep on top of your oral health and guarantee a healthy smile! These appointments give us an opportunity to look inside your mouth and discuss changes to your lifestyle, diet, or health, that may impact your oral health. Dental cleanings and exams are meant to compliment your at home routine of regular flossing and brushing.

A routine cleaning at Neesh Dental in Saskatoon Saskatchewan helps a man with preventative oral healthcare.

What does a checkup at NEESH Dental include?

Updating your Health Information

It’s important to keep your dental professional up to date regarding any changes to your overall health, the usage of new medications, and notifying them of any oral discomfort or pain you’re experiencing.

Thorough Cleaning

Removing if needed, the buildup of plaque on your teeth that can lead to gum disease or tooth decay. This is typically done with one of our hygienists.

Inspection of Teeth and Gums

After the cleaning is complete, your dentist will come in and complete an examination of your teeth and gums. They will then order x-rays if need be, to assess issues that may not be readily seen on the surface of your teeth.

It is important to note that your oral health is closely linked to your overall health and well being. Infections like gum disease or tooth decay can have a negative impact on your health if left untreated.

The NEESH Dental team recommends that you come see us once every 6 months for a routine checkup!

The prevention and early diagnosis of oral infections is a key part of maintaining good health. Infections like tooth decay and gum disease have been linked to other health problems like heart disease so it is important to stay on top of what is happening inside your mouth! Early detection can also save you from having to undergo costly treatments in the future.

Contact the NEESH Dental team today to book an appointment. We can scheduled your next checkup and then send you a text or email reminder in advance of your appointment.

Tips on How to Properly Brush & Floss

Brushing and flossing are vital to oral hygiene. While your professional dental cleanings remove plaque, tartar and debris, a good home routine is important. Proper brushing and flossing can enhance the health of your mouth, make your smile sparkle, and prevent serious diseases.

Reasons why proper brushing and flossing are essential

Prevention of tooth decay – Tooth decay is one of the leading causes of tooth loss, and its treatment often requires complex dental procedures. Tooth decay occurs when the acids found in plaque erode the natural enamel found on the teeth. This phenomenon can easily be prevented by using proper home hygiene methods.

Prevention of periodontal disease – Periodontal disease is a serious, progressive condition which can cause tooth loss, gum recession and jawbone recession. Periodontal disease is caused by the toxins found in plaque, and can lead to serious health problems in other parts of the body. Removing plaque and calculus (tartar) from the surface of the tooth using a toothbrush, and from the interdental areas using dental floss, is an excellent way to stave off periodontal problems.

Prevention of halitosis – Bad breath or halitosis is usually caused by old food particles on or between the teeth. These food particles can be removed with regular brushing and flossing; leaving the mouth healthier, and breath smelling fresher.

Prevention of staining – Staining or the yellowing of teeth can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as smoking, coffee and tea. The more regularly these staining agents are removed from the teeth using brushing and flossing techniques, the less likely it is that the stains will become permanent.

The Proper Way to Brush

The teeth should be brushed at least twice a day; ideally in the morning and before bed. The perfect toothbrush is small in size with soft, rounded-end bristles and no more than three months old. The head of the brush needs to be small enough to access all areas of the mouth, and the bristles should be soft enough so as not to cause undue damage to the gum tissue. The American Dental Association (ADA) has given electric toothbrushes their seal of approval; stating that those with rotating or oscillating heads are more effective than other toothbrushes.

Here is a basic guide to proper brushing:

Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet.
Use small circular motions to gently brush the gumline and teeth.
Do not scrub or apply too much pressure to the teeth, as this can damage the gums and tooth enamel.
Brush every surface of every tooth, cheek-side, tongue-side, and chewing surfaces. Place special emphasis on the surfaces of the back teeth.
Use back and forth strokes to brush the chewing surfaces.
Brush the tongue to remove fungi, food and debris.

The Proper Way to Floss

Flossing is a great way to remove plaque from the interdental regions (between the teeth). Flossing is an especially important tool for preventing periodontal disease and limiting the depth of the gum pockets. The interdental regions are difficult to reach with a toothbrush and should be cleansed with dental floss on a daily basis. The flavor and type of floss are unimportant; choose floss that will be easy and pleasant to use.

Here is a basic guide to proper flossing:

Cut a piece of floss to around 18 inches long.
Wrap one end of the floss around the middle finger of the left hand and the other end around the middle finger of the right hand until the hands are 2-3 inches apart.
Work the floss gently between the teeth toward the gum line.
Curve the floss in a U-shape around each individual tooth and carefully slide it beneath the gum line.
Carefully move the floss up and down several times to remove interdental plaque and debris.
Do not pop the floss in and out between the teeth as this will inflame and cut the gums.

If you have any questions about the correct way to brush or floss, please ask your dentist or dental hygienist.

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