Professional Clean and Scale

Withers Dental hygiene department conducts a thorough examination of the gums around each tooth.  This assessment checks the colour and texture of the soft tissues, the presence of any puffiness or bleeding, and any pockets where bone loss may have occurred.   X-rays are taken to check for bone abnormalities and to screen for cysts and tumors.  Your hygienist will ask you about your brushing, flossing and dietary habits as this helps to devise a treatment plan tailored to your lifestyle.

A professional clean is a vital part of achieving and maintaining good oral health by removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and calculus (tartar) deposits that build up on the teeth. Teeth are continually bathed in saliva that contains calcium and other minerals that help strengthen and protect the teeth. While this is a good thing, it also means that we tend to get a build-up of calculus on the teeth. The dental hygienist will use specialised instruments to gently remove these deposits without harming your teeth.

If calculus is allowed to accumulate it will provide the right conditions for bacteria to thrive next to the gums and damage the jaw bone. Cleaning and polishing removes 'baked-on' bacteria build up and you have a better chance at maintaining this environment during your regular routine at home. Most people find that these cleans are painless however, if you have sensitive teeth so be sure to let your hygienist know.

Your hygiene appointment includes

• professional cleaning 
• comprehensive assessment of your gum and jawbone health 
• oral cancer screening 
• x-rays if necessary 
• discussion of any current concerns