Preventive Dentistry in Richmond, BC

Dental Checkups and Teeth Cleanings

Our doctors and the Canadian Dental Association recommend that everybody, young, old, or simply young at heart, should have at least two checkups and cleanings per year. They are two of the most effective tools used in dentistry today, and they help fill in the gaps in your home oral hygiene routine.

When you come to see us for a standard checkup, it will start with one of our hygienists giving you a dental cleaning. They’ll use special tools to clear away built up plaque and tartar you simply can’t reach with your brush and floss.

Afterward, one of our doctors will perform a visual and tactile oral exam. This will give them the chance to spot any dental issues you have early. By regularly coming in for these checkups, you’ll enable us to protect you from developing serious oral health problems. They are truly one of the best things you can do for your teeth.

Children’s Dentistry

Needless to say, children have different dental needs than adults and teenagers. Many practices simply aren’t equipped or trained to fill these needs, but at West Richmond Dental Centre, we’re ready to help your littlest smiles. When you bring your child to our practice, we’ll do everything we can to make sure they are calm, relaxed, and comfortable during their visits. We’ll never rush them into treatment, and we’ll always go at their pace. We’ll take them around the office, introduce them to everyone, and just allow them time to acclimate to a new place.

After this, one of our doctors will perform a short cleaning and oral exam and then discuss what you can do to keep your child’s smile healthy as they grow and change. These first visits are essential to giving your child a strong start when it comes to their oral health, and with us, you can trust that we’ll be able to set them on the right path.

Dental Sealants

This treatment involves applying a thin layer of a composite resin to a tooth in order to protect it from the buildup of plaque and bacteria. It is often applied to the back teeth (molars and premolars) because they tend to have very deep grooves and crevices that are hard to reach while brushing. This treatment is ideal for young children who are still learning to take care of their teeth or adults who are prone to developing tooth decay.

Periodontal Therapy

Did you know that over half of the adult population in Canada has gum disease? When it comes to your oral health, your gums are just as important as your teeth. They protect the sensitive enamel around the roots of your teeth and provide them with essential support. When too much plaque and bacteria build up on them, this can lead to an infection. It starts very subtly with just redness, swelling, and soreness. Over time, however, it can easily turn into painful bacteria-filled pockets and tooth loss. That’s right, gum disease is actually one of the leading causes of tooth loss!

During the early stages, regular dental cleanings and more mindful oral hygiene at home can typically stop the infection. Once it has become advanced, it may require that we perform a deep cleaning, which consists of two procedures called scaling and root planing.

With scaling, your doctor will use special tools to clear away plaque and bacteria both above and below your gum line. Afterward, root planing will be used to gently smooth out the roots of your teeth. This will help prevent plaque from building up there in the future and makes it easier for your gums to firmly reattach to your teeth.

Nightguards for Bruxism

“Bruxism” is a condition where a person unconsciously clenches their jaw and grinds their teeth. It tends to mostly happen while a patient is asleep, and many people are not even aware that they do it. Over time, this intense pressure can actually break your teeth. Thankfully, our team can provide you with a custom made mouthpiece called a nightguard. This nightguard will provide a protective barrier between your teeth so they can’t be damaged from grinding. Each one is custom made to fit a patient’s teeth to assure they are both comfortable and effective.

Mouthguards / Sportsguards

Some of the most common injuries in sports are actually dental injuries. Soccer, hockey, and basketball can all put you and your children’s teeth in danger. If anyone in your family participates in sports, even “non-contact” ones, they should protect their teeth with a custom-made sportsguard.  Because our sportsguards are made individually, they are much more comfortable and shield the teeth from impacts better than generic store-bought mouthguards.

Oral Cancer Screening

Many people know that individuals who use tobacco and/or drink heavily are at risk for oral cancer. However, did you know that 25% of all oral cancer diagnoses happen to people who use neither of these substances? The key to beating oral cancer is early detection and treatment, and we do our part by performing an oral cancer screening at your standard checkup. Your doctor will examine your mouth, cheeks, and throat for any signs of the disease, and we will be able to advise you on what to do next if they find something that causes concern.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a natural substance that helps fight against cavities. When your tooth decays, it is actually because the minerals that make up your enamel are being eaten away by acidic plaque produced by bacteria that live in your mouth. Fluoride, on the other hand, whenever it is consumed, naturally restores these minerals and strengthens teeth. This is why, as part of your regular checkup, we will always include a fluoride treatment to prevent cavities from developing.

Toothpastes / Mouthwashes

The truth is, most dental care happens at home with routine brushing and flossing. The problem, however, is that there is almost an endless variety of products you can find intended to help clean your teeth. They all say they are “the best” and “the only one you need,” but that’s just marketing. How can you know which products are actually right for you?

You can just ask us! We have many toothpastes/mouthwashes you can pick up right in our office, and we’ll even let you know which ones are the best choice for your particular teeth.

Digital Dental X-Rays

X-rays are an essential part of dentistry because they allow your doctor to see beyond the surface of your teeth. At our office, we only use digital x-rays because they create images much faster, don’t require harmful chemicals to be processed, and expose our patients to 90% less radiation. We can even share the x-rays with you on a chairside monitor so you can better understand your dental care. The images can also be stored, replicated, and sent infinitely, which is ideal for long term treatment plans and insurance purposes.