Sealants
All teeth have grooves and pits on the surface. For children, these can be the hardest areas to clean, since new teeth can have cavities before they get a chance to grow fully into the mouth. Our special fluoride release sealants fill the grooves with a special plastic that seals and protects teeth against cavities!

Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride helps protect against cavities, we all know that, but not everyone knows that it helps with sensitivity as well. Ask our dental hygienist if fluoride is right for you, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Fresh Breath Consultations
Though we all think about it, not many of us want to talk about it… Is my breath fresh? There are many ways to improve your breath and your confidence! Some of these are home-care habits that are easy to add to your daily routine. We can recommend fresh breath kits with specialized toothpaste and mouth rinse for anyone who needs to treat a more serious problem. Signs and symptoms of bad breath may include:

• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Dry mouth in the morning
• Smoking
• Sour, bitter, or metallic taste in the mouth
• Dry mouth, thicker saliva or extreme “morning breath”
• A white coating on the tongue (plaque/bacteria)
• Extra post-nasal drip or more mucous in the throat
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste can be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease
• The most common causes are food particles and bacteria that accumulate between the teeth, on the tongue, and around the gums
  Bad breath may also be a sign of some medical conditions, such as respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, gastrointestinal tract infections and others

Oral Hygiene Instruction/Nutritional Counselling
Are you getting a lot of cavities and can’t figure out why? We are always here to help! Sometimes hidden things in our diets make a big difference, and you can count on us for help in figuring out what is causing the cavities, not just fixing the symptom.

Dental Hygiene Tools and Supplies
There is a ton of different oral hygiene tools on the market these days. It’s wonderful to have such choice, but leaves many of us wondering which tool is the best choice for my mouth? And how do I use it? We are here to figure out what tools are great for your specific situation, and give you a “How to” course. With all this choice, we’re sure to find something you’ll like!

Sources: Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist- Esther Wilkins, Canadian Dental Association, The Canadian Dental Hygiene Association.

Teeth Cleaning and Health Maintenance in Alexandria
When we think of our mouths, many things come to mind, such as our smile and our image. But we don’t necessarily think about the hidden problems that can often be first seen in our mouths! Surprisingly to some, periodontal disease (disease of the bone supporting your teeth) has been linked to a few significant and serious illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, lung disease (in the elderly) and preterm low birth weight babies. At The Polished Tooth Dental Hygiene Center in Alexandria, we can help you prevent and manage the oral symptoms of many diseases.

Diabetes
If your diabetes is not under control, meaning that your sugar levels are not stable, you are at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. Also, if you have periodontal disease and are diabetic, controlling your blood sugar can be more difficult. A good oral hygiene program, including regular dental hygiene cleanings, is imperative to helping you minimize the complications you are at risk for with diabetes.

Heart Disease
Some studies are suggesting that having periodontal disease is another risk factor for heart disease. It has to do with the bacteria that enter the bloodstream when you have active gum disease. Keeping bacteria levels low is key to avoiding this preventable risk factor.

Lung Disease
Research is showing us that inhaling the bacteria present in the mouth can cause or make worse respiratory infections in older people. Reducing mouth bacteria is important in reducing the risk of these serious complications.

Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis is swollen gums which bleed easily because of plaque that is left on and between the teeth. This is completely reversible. Periodontal disease affects the bone around the teeth; over time the bacteria causes your body to gradually remove more and more bone around the teeth. This is due to bacteria being left around the teeth. This can lead to loose teeth, or infection. Eventually if nothing is done, you could lose teeth. Good news is many treatment options are available to help control and prevent periodontal disease.