Preventive Dentistry in Thunder Bay, ON

Dental Hygiene Services in Thunder Bay, ON

Keeping your gums and teeth healthy takes more than brushing at home. Our hygiene team cleans away plaque and tartar, checks your gums, and shows you how to care for your mouth between visits.

What Do Dental Hygiene Services Include?

Dental hygiene covers the cleaning, gum care, and home care education that keep your mouth healthy between exams. Our hygiene team removes plaque and tartar, checks your gum health, and can apply fluoride or take X-rays if needed. For patients with gum disease, hygiene visits may include scaling and root planing, a deeper cleaning that reaches below the gumline. Dr. Ameen oversees this care as the General Dentist at Redwood Dental Centre.

Why Dental Hygiene Matters

Good hygiene care does more than leave your teeth feeling smooth. Here’s what it helps with.

Removing Buildup Brushing Misses

Plaque hardens into tartar over time. Once that happens, only a professional cleaning can remove it.

Watching Your Gum Health

Hygiene visits include checking gum pockets and looking for early signs of irritation or disease.

Learning What Works for You

Everyone’s mouth is different. Our hygiene team can show you brushing and flossing techniques suited to your teeth.

What Happens During a Hygiene Visit

Here’s what a typical hygiene appointment looks like.

Reviewing Your History

The hygienist checks in on any changes since your last visit and reviews your gum health.

Scaling and Cleaning

Plaque and tartar are removed from around and between your teeth, including areas below the gumline if needed.

Polishing

Teeth are polished to remove surface stains and leave a smooth finish.

Home Care Guidance

The hygienist goes over brushing, flossing, or other habits that fit your specific situation.

Caring for Your Gums Between Visits

Brush twice a day and floss once a day, reaching the areas your hygienist points out
Use a soft bristled toothbrush and replace it every few months
Limit sugary snacks and drinks, which contribute to plaque buildup
Keep up with your scheduled hygiene visits, even if your gums feel fine

Is This Right for You?

Dental hygiene visits fit almost every patient, though the details vary by situation.

Routine Cleanings for Most Patients

A standard cleaning and polish works well for patients without significant gum concerns.

Extra Attention for Gum Disease

Patients with gum disease may need scaling and root planing, or more frequent hygiene visits.

General Dentist Supervising Care

Hygiene services are provided by our hygiene team under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Ameen Al-Obaidi (Dr. Ameen), a General Dentist, with over 20 years of experience in general dentistry.

Understanding Cost and Insurance

Billing for hygiene visits depends on what your appointment includes, since a routine cleaning costs differently than scaling and root planing for gum disease. Whatever fee is quoted covers the full visit, including any additional services needed that day, and it applies the same way to every patient regardless of insurance coverage. Our front desk reviews your specific insurance benefits before your appointment so you know what to expect.

A Quote Before Treatment

If your visit needs more than a routine cleaning, you’ll know the cost before it happens.

Insurance Coordination

We check your coverage before your visit so there are no surprises at checkout.

Paying Out of Pocket

If you do not have insurance, our front desk can walk you through the cost of your visit directly.

Dental Hygiene FAQs

A regular cleaning cleans above the gumline. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) reaches below it for patients with gum disease. Your hygienist will tell you which one fits your situation based on what they find at your visit.

What's the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?

How often should I have a hygiene visit?

Most patients do well every 6 months, though gum disease can mean more frequent visits. If you have gum disease or a history of buildup, every 3 to 4 months may make more sense. This gets reviewed at each visit.

Why do my gums bleed when I floss?

It’s usually a sign of irritation or early gum disease, and it’s worth mentioning at your next visit. Bleeding isn’t something to just push through. It’s worth having your hygienist take a closer look.

Do I still need hygiene visits if I brush and floss regularly?

Yes, because tartar that’s already hardened can only be removed by a professional cleaning. Brushing and flossing manage plaque day to day, but regular hygiene visits catch what home care can’t.

Does insurance cover hygiene visits?

Many plans cover routine cleanings at least partially. Coverage for deeper cleanings like scaling and root planing varies more by plan. Our front desk checks your specific coverage before your visit.

Ready for a healthier smile?

New patients welcome. Direct billing to most insurance plans.

Redwood Dental has been serving families across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario for over two decades.