Teeth Cleanings in Surrey, BC

Why You Need Regular Dental Cleanings

Having a regular dental cleaning two times a year has multiple benefits for patients, such as:

• Combatting bad breath, by removing hardened tartar that can cause both gum disease and halitosis.
• Removing stains on the surface of your teeth, and polishing them to give them a cleaner feel and appearance.
• Prevent tooth decay, which helps your teeth last longer and avoids expensive dental bills.
• Eliminates plaque before it can build up and cause gum disease, especially in the hidden areas your toothbrush doesn’t reach.
• Prevent further bone loss due to chronic gum inflammation
• Reduces your chances of heart disease and stroke resulting from bacterial infection of your system.

Whether your dentist in Delta BC employs a dental hygienist or performs professional teeth cleaning themselves, it’s worth getting it when you’re already there. And besides, most health insurance companies in Canada cover this preventive procedure, so there’s really no reason not to do it.

What the Process Involves

Professional teeth cleaning by a certified dental hygienist or dentist in Delta BC aims to remove plaque, tartar and other stains that build up on your teeth. Plaque is a soft, sticky residue containing millions of bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease if it isn’t removed daily.

Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is the hard, calcified material that forms on the teeth, which speeds up tooth decay. Even with regular daily brushing and flossing, these elements can accumulate and cause problems.

During a tooth cleaning, the dental hygienist uses specialized instruments to inspect the inside of the mouth. Next, he (or she) uses an ultrasonic tool that loosens large sections of tartar by vibration and sprays the mouth with cool water to wash away the debris. This is followed by scaling of individual teeth using a handheld scaler, which removes all traces of tartar from the tooth surface.

The teeth are then polished with a slow-speed handpiece containing a soft rubber cup, which also uses a gritty paste to create a shiny, smooth tooth surface. The dentist applies fluoride using a flexible foam tray placed over the teeth, to strengthen the tooth enamel and protect it against future decay. The entire teeth cleaning process is painless. It takes between 30 and 60 minutes, and is usually performed lying in a comfortable dental chair.

Cost of a Dental Cleaning

Dental cleaning cost varies depending on your location and the type of health insurance you have. It also depends on whether you elect to have tooth whitening at the same time, and in some instances, the length of time between cleanings may affect the cost. On average, professional teeth cleaning costs between $200 and $250, and many insurance companies cover this in full up to a yearly limit. Your best option is to call our Nordel Crossing Dental Centre clinic to find out the current cost of a cleaning, or ask the dentist for a price during your six-monthly examination.

For new patients, there may be an initial exam fee before cleaning can take place. This could include taking x-rays so the dental hygienist can see the condition of your teeth digitally before proceeding. Patients with extensive plaque and tartar build-up may need a full-mouth debridement over more than one appointments, which will incur an additional cost. All this might seem expensive, but neglecting your teeth always costs more in the long term.

To find out the dental cleaning cost for you or a family member, please contact your dentist in Delta BC for more information.