 Our Self Care program is a unique alternative to traditional "oral hygiene instruction" which is typically brief and generally non-interactive.
This personal consultation with our preventative specialist consists of a through assessment of your individualized oral health care needs. A customized program will be designed to enable you to achieve and maintailn optimal oral health. This will include information of your current periodontal condition, a demonstration of oral care techniques along with recommendations of specific products and preventative treatments suited to your individual needs.
Benefits noted by our patients who have participated in this Self Care program include:
1) Fresher breath, cleaner feeling teeth and a brighter smile
2) A greater knowledge of their mouth and oral care needs: this allows you to be a more informed pro-active and educated consumer.
3) Increased resistance and control of tooth decay (cavities).
4) A decrease in emergency dental visits and dental expenses.
We know that bacteria cause gum disease. There is an individual resistance to those bacteria depending on your overall health. You will receive a bacterial screening wit h the purple disclosing solution. This solution makes the bacteria on your teeth visible and allows us to identify problem areas in order to be more specific with your "cleaning" and treatment recommendations. With effective bacteria control, gum disease can be controlled and prevented.
Our selfcare program will help you to understand your level of gum disease, where it is located, how best to remove the bacteria causing it. Our treatment performed will only be successful if the bacteria are removed effectively.
Most people tend to clean and floss on a regular basis following their dental check-up. This is because all that information about bacteria, plaque build-up, tartar, and gum disease is fresh in their minds. But as time goes by, the urgency diminishes and old habits start again, frequently brushing carelessly, flossing quickly or not at all. The problem is, oral bacteria never takes a break. Without brushing and proper flossing, they will invade your healthy mouth. The resulting gum disease won't politely warn you of the damage it does as it progresses. This is why our specially trained staff is dedicated to reminding you about things you'd rather not think about. We'd rather warn you now rather than show you what happens...
Some additional tools the can be used as adjuncts to regular brushing and flossing:
Sonicare:
Sonicare has a unique brushing action done through the rapid vibration of its bristles. This allows for cleaning action beyond the tips of its bristles and partially between teeth. Sonicare also helps remove and reduce light stain formation. It also has a timer to increase brushing duration, essential for healthy gum tissue.
Oral-B/Braun '3-D':
This is the only brush that combines both bristle oscillation from side to side, and vibration of the bristle head. These features help loosen and remove more plaque. It also has a timer to encourage longer and more thorough brushing. The '2-D' also offers a smaller 'interspace' brush head for cleaning between teeth and around crowns, bridges, and implants. It's small heads make it a favourite with patients as it reaches tight areas quite easily. The '3-D' is well supported by independent researchers.
Water Pick Electric Flosser:
This is a great solution for those who find flossing awkward or difficult. The flosser has a thin nylon filament which fits between teeth. Its 10,000 strokes/minute help loosen plaque between teeth where floss usually goes. Also helpful for those with braces or bridgework.
Sulcabrush:
Has small tufts of bristles on each end to reach difficult to reach areas where your regular toothbrush just can't fit. It is excellent for gum stimulation to help keep your tissues healthy.
Water-Pik Oral Irrigator:
This excellent tool is intended for patients with periodontal gum disease, or gum pockets. It sends a gentle jet of water below your gum line to loosen and remove bacteria that no brush or floss can reach. This helps reduce the amount of destructive microorganisms in your moth in a very targeted manner.
Oral-B "Cross Action" Manual Toothbrush:
For patients who find powered brushing is just not for them, this brush is a great performer. Its multilayered, microtextured bristles help reach more plaque and gum tissue than flat headed toothbrushes. You can feel a noticeable difference. |
