A clean, healthy foundation—because good oral health begins long before problems start.
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Oral health doesn’t exist in isolation. The condition of your mouth has direct, measurable links to your cardiovascular health, immune function, pregnancy outcomes, and overall quality of life. Professional dental hygiene is one of the most effective preventive measures available—and one of the most overlooked.
Even with a disciplined home care routine, plaque hardens into tartar over time in areas that brushing and flossing simply can’t reach. Regular professional cleanings remove that buildup before it leads to gum disease, decay, or tooth loss. They also give our team the opportunity to catch developing issues early, when they’re straightforward to address.
Here’s what our dental hygienists do that your toothbrush can’t:
Tartar (calculus) is hardened plaque that can only be removed with specialized instruments. Our hygienists use ultrasonic scaling and hand instruments to clear deposits from areas that are impossible to reach at home—including below the gum line where gum disease begins.
During every cleaning, your hygienist carefully examines your gums for early signs of gum disease, your teeth for developing cavities, and your soft tissues for any changes that may warrant attention. Early detection makes a significant difference in outcomes.
Your hygienist can identify specific areas where your technique could be improved and provide tailored recommendations—on brushing and flossing methods, product choices, and lifestyle factors that affect your oral health.
A typical hygiene appointment at Planet Dental includes:
Removing hardened tartar from the tooth surfaces and below the gum line using ultrasonic and hand scaling instruments.
Removing surface stains and leaving teeth smooth and clean with a low-abrasion polishing paste.
Clearing debris from between the teeth and checking the health of the gum tissue in the contact areas.
Measuring gum pocket depths to monitor for signs of gum disease and track changes over time.
Removing hardened tartar from the tooth surfaces and below the gum line using ultrasonic and hand scaling instruments.
Removing surface stains and leaving teeth smooth and clean with a low-abrasion polishing paste.
Clearing debris from between the teeth and checking the health of the gum tissue in the contact areas.
Measuring gum pocket depths to monitor for signs of gum disease and track changes over time.
Professional cleanings work best when supported by a consistent home routine. Here’s what makes the biggest difference:
For most adults, twice a year is the standard recommendation. If you have a history of gum disease, a higher cavity rate, or other risk factors, your hygienist may suggest more frequent visits—every 3 or 4 months, for example. We’ll advise the right schedule for your situation at your appointment.
Most Canadian dental insurance plans cover routine cleanings and check-ups, typically twice per year. Planet Dental direct bills most major insurers and accepts the Canada Dental Care Plan. We’ll verify your coverage before your appointment.
Many medications cause oral side effects—dry mouth, gum overgrowth, and tissue inflammation are among the most common. Dry mouth in particular significantly increases cavity risk, as saliva plays a critical role in neutralizing acids and washing away bacteria. Knowing your medications also helps us avoid prescribing anything that might interact with them.
We recommend your child’s first dental visit by the time they’re one year old—or within six months of their first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. Early visits help children build comfort with the dental environment, establish good habits from the start, and allow us to monitor development proactively.
Yes—mild sensitivity and occasional light bleeding for a day or two after a cleaning is completely normal, particularly if it’s been a while since your last visit or if tartar buildup was significant. If sensitivity persists beyond a week, contact us and we’ll take a look.
Regular professional cleanings are one of the simplest, most cost-effective things you can do for your long-term health. Book yours today and let our hygiene team take care of the rest.
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