It is important to maintain good oral health with a regular dental exam by visiting the dentist at least once per year. Through regular exams, dentists are able to:
In combination with dental exams, x-rays allow your dentist to diagnose potential oral health issues before they become a problem. Digital x-rays are one of the newest types of radiographs offered at Wolf Willow Dental. With a digital x-ray, captured images go into a computer where they can be viewed on a screen, saved or printed. It is easier to compare and see tiny changes on digital x-rays than on standard x-rays, therefore changes in the mouth can be caught sooner. Digital x-rays also only use about half the radiation of conventional film, making them a safer choice.
All your life you’ve been told to brush and floss regularly. But are you doing it right? Our dentists can educate you on how to maintain a strict schedule of oral hygiene, keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
It is important to brush twice a day, morning and bedtime, with a fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes. Flossing is equally important and should be done daily, preferably at bedtime.
Step 1: Place your toothbrush at a 45° angle to your gums.
Step 2: Make gentle, circular motions.
Step 3: Brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Step 4: Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.
Step 1: Use approximately 18” of floss. Most of the floss should be wrapped around one finger, with the other finger gathering the floss that is used.
Step 2: Use your thumbs and forefingers to move the floss between your teeth in a sawing motion.
Step 3: Curve the floss against the side of your tooth and gently beneath the gums.
Step 4: Slide the floss up and down. Repeat for each tooth.
Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in all water sources. It is best known for its effectiveness in preventing and repairing the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride strengthens your teeth by absorbing into the enamel and replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorus. This remineralization process hardens your teeth, and in doing so, helps prevent decay.
Wolf Willow Dental offers professional fluoride treatments with each cleaning, applied as a gel, foam or varnish. The fluoride used at our west Edmonton dentist office has a higher strength than over-the-counter mouthwashes or toothpastes.
Another way your dentist can prevent tooth decay is through the application of sealants. Dental sealants are made of a plastic material that is placed on the chewing surface of the permanent molars and premolars. These seals act as extra protection from acid and bacteria left behind by food and plaque.