Visit the team at Fort St. John Dental Clinic and protect your long-term oral health with regular hygiene exams, cleanings and prevention.
A Prevention-First Approach
At Fort St. John Dental Clinic, we strongly believe that prevention is always the best treatment for children, teens and adults. Regular home care, professional dental cleanings and regular exams all contribute to preventing disease and decay in your teeth and gums.
Professional Examinations
Professional examinations help diagnose any dental issues before they become problematic.
Dental examinations at our practice generally include:
- Examination of teeth, gums and mouth
- Oral cancer screening
- Digital X-rays
Professional Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
In a professional cleaning, your dentist or hygienist will:
- Remove plaque from the teeth
- Remove calculus (tartar) above and below the gum line
- Polish and remove stains from teeth
Gum Disease & Your Oral Health
Gum (or periondontal) disease is one of the most common dental issues we see. Despite patients' very best efforts in maintaining their oral health through home care, gum disease may still occur – and may require gum therapy treatment.
- Symptoms
Sometimes, there are no symptoms of gum disease readily evident. However, when symptoms are evident, they can include:
- Sore or swollen gums
- Red or purple gums
- Receding gums
- Bleeding in your gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Diagnosis
A process which measures the depth of the pockets around each tooth is used to diagnose gum disease. Pockets that are greater than 3 mm in depth are considered hazardous and will generally require treatment.
The early detection and prevention of gum disease is another reason to see your dentist regularly.
- Treatment
Gum disease is treated by carefully removing the bacteria and substances that form in the pockets around the teeth. The removal of this material occurs on a microscopic level and requires great skill. Our dental team has had advanced training regarding how to effectively remove all of the bacteria.
This process of removing the bacteria usually requires several visits to our office. Once the bacteria has been removed, the pockets must be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis by your dentist. Otherwise, the bacteria will continue to damage the bone.
- Long-Term Care
Typically, once you have gum or periodontal disease, you will always have to pay extra attention to your dental health.
Diligent home hygiene and regular dental cleanings are required to keep the bone in your mouth and jaw from being lost.
After we treat the initial problem, 'periodontal maintenance' appointments will be recommended every 3-4 months.