Preventative Dentistry

Dental Hygiene in Colwood

Regular hygiene appointments with one of the attentive and gentle dental hygienists at Urban Smiles Colwood are an essential part of your overall oral health.

Our experienced dental hygienists will perform a complete set of hygiene treatments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums, clean and polish your tooth enamel, and provide fluoride treatments for stronger teeth.

As part of your hygiene treatment, you’ll also receive guidance on at-home oral care habits you may need to change or supplement, as well as suggestions for products to aid in your efforts to maintain a clean and healthy mouth.

Dental hygiene has benefits far beyond preventing cavities:

• Brightens your smile
• Freshens breath
• Stops tooth loss by preventing or controlling gum disease
• Detects early oral cancer
• Boosts overall health
• Saves money by getting the most from your dental plan

We recommend hygiene appointments every six months but people with gum (periodontal) disease might require more frequent visits. We are happy to discuss an oral health program that is just right for you.

Protecting Your Teeth with Dental NightGuards & Dental MouthGuards

While there are many dental nightguards and dental mouthguards on the market, having one that is custom-fitted by your dentist at Urban Smiles Colwood can provide full protection with more comfort & less bulk – making it easier to breathe and enjoy the benefit of your guard. 

Dental Nightguards

Tooth grinding (bruxism) while sleeping is a common issue that many people experience at some point in their lives, but it’s not something that you should just live with. Over time, the damaging effects of tooth grinding can lead to many other dental health issues, including headaches, tooth misalignment, jaw soreness, and others. We can help alleviate tooth grinding with a specially-crafted dental nightguard, customized to fit your teeth comfortably while you sleep.

Dental Mouthguards

Protecting your teeth from potential impacts during sporting activities is an important part of your dental health. We offer custom-fitted mouthguards for patients who participate in a wide range of physical activities, such as hockey, football, lacrosse, and more. Don’t take chances with your teeth when you play sports. Protect your valuable smile with a sports mouthguard that is designed to absorb impacts and keep your teeth safe and secure as you play.

Start the Process of Obtaining a Custom Mouthguard

If you’re in need of the protection that a mouthguard can provide, or simply want to take steps to ensure that your teeth stay straight and in perfect shape, then the process starts with a simple consultation and discussion with your Urban Smiles Colwood dentist.

How Can Our Colwood Dentists Help with Your Tooth Sensitivity?

If you have sensitive teeth, you may think that the discomfort you feel when you eat or drink cold, hot, sweet, spicy, or sour foods or beverages is normal, and that the solution is simply to avoid trigger foods and drinks.

Depending on the cause of your tooth sensitivity, avoiding these triggers may help alleviate your symptoms. But tooth sensitivity can also be a sign of a serious underlying problem, which is why it’s important to discuss any tooth sensitivity with your Urban Smiles Colwood dentist.

Tooth Sensitivity is typically the result of worn tooth enamel but can also be caused by exposed roots, cavities, chipped teeth and other factors.

Depending on the cause of the problem, we offer tooth sensitivity treatments – including fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel and block transmission of sensation from the tooth to the nerve as well as the application of a desensitizing agent or a protective coating to sensitive root surfaces. These treatments can alleviate sensitivities and make life more enjoyable again.

What is a Comprehensive Oral Exam?

An oral examination by your dentist at Urban Smiles Colwood is the first step in maintaining oral health and recognizing potential problems. We recommend a comprehensive oral exam on your first visit and every three to five years thereafter. Follow-up exams should be done in conjunction with cleaning every six months.

The difference between a complete oral exam and a regular check-up exam is the detail of the diagnosis during the exam. During a complete oral exam, time will be taken to review and check every facet covering overall medical health, gum and teeth health. A comprehensive oral exam is recommended every 3-5 years or at the first visit to a new dental office. It gives a complete break down of the health of your teeth, gums and mouth. Comprehensive oral exams may be recommended more frequently if there are concerns.

What to Expect During a Comprehensive Oral Exam? 

• Complete or updated medical history. Often your overall health affects your oral health and visa versa. 
• Addressing your chief concerns regarding any cosmetic or functional problems 
• Extraoral exam checking the tissues of your face, lips and neck 
• Checking the health of your lymph nodes and looking for any lumps or bumps in the neck 
• Checking your TMJ which is the jaw joint for any pain, clicking or deviation 
• Intra Oral exam to check the tissues of your cheeks, tongue, the roof of your mouth, floor of your mouth and throat 
• Oral cancer screening, checking for any abnormalities 
• Checking for any signs of clenching or grinding 
• Completing or updating the odontogram and recording any missing teeth, current fillings, dental crowns, implants, bridges, etc. 
• Checking for any cavities, chips, wear, fractures, infections, etc. 
• Taking any x-rays that are recommended to check the health of your teeth and bone 
• Pictures may be taken of your teeth and mouth to assess for changes over time 
• Completing a periodontal exam which is an exam of the health of the gums and the best indicator of gum disease 
• Reviewing brushing and flossing habits 
• Creating a customized treatment plan based on your needs 
• Making any necessary referrals such as to an oral surgeon, orthodontist or periodontist