General DentistryHygiene therapy

Hygiene therapy is the only efficient way to eliminate bacteria and deposits that cause irreversible damage to gum and teeth if they are not properly removed. We therefore recommend making an appointment for hygiene therapy every six months, although frequency can vary from one patient to another. A hygiene therapy session involves both the hygienist and the dentist. The hygienist is in charge of the assessment of oral health conditions, oral cancer screening, head and neck inspection, dental charting and taking blood pressure and pulse, taking dental radiographs, applying preventive materials to the teeth (e.g., sealants and fluoride), teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counselling), and most of all, providing regular cleaning which includes removing plaque and calculus with specialized instruments and polishing the teeth. When the regular cleaning is over, the dentist comes in for an examination of the patient’s general dental health, which allows the prevention and the diagnosis of diseases. If there is a problem, the dentist will detect it and make sure it is properly addressed with a treatment and a follow-up when needed.