Dental Exams & Cleanings in Calgary

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Dental Exams: The First Step Towards Good Oral Health

Even if you’re conscientious about brushing and flossing, you can still benefit from regular dental exams and cleanings.

Our dentists provide practical preventive techniques for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. By combining our caring approach with modern technology, we aim to deliver a compassionate and comprehensive dental experience.

Symmetry Dental is here to support the balance between your oral and overall health. Start today by booking an appointment!

When Should You Have a Dental Exam?

Symmetry Dental considers dental exams to be a vital part of your overall health care routine. 

Because of this, we recommend having at least one dental exam every 6 months, as recommended by the Canadian Dental Association. However, we may suggest more frequent exams to monitor developing issues or to help you follow a prescribed treatment plan.

Regular dental exams and cleanings also help remove plaque and tartar, which can lead to tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

What to Expect from the Exam

Dental exams take a detailed look at your oral health by examining your teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks. When you come in for your exam, our team will be happy to discuss any issues you may be experiencing and confirm your previous dental history.

We will follow several routine steps during your dental exam, including:

Diagnostic X-Rays

Dental x-ray exams, also known as radiographs, can help our dentists detect issues like cavities and oral cancer.

X-rays use a small amount of radiation to generate images—an amount so little, it is considered safe for children and adults. However, depending on your age and oral health, you may not need an x-rays during every exam, and we may not recommend an x-ray if you’re pregnant.

It is vital to detect oral cancer as early as possible when there is still time to adequately manage and treat its symptoms. During an oral cancer screening, our dentists will check your mouth for red and white patches and mouth sores. Our dentists will also feel around your cheeks and throat for abnormal lumps.

You may have a higher risk of developing oral cancer if you:

  • Smoke tobacco
  • Drink alcohol excessively
  • Have had a previous cancer diagnosis
  • Spend a lot of time exposed to UV rays

Gum disease is an issue that can develop when plaque and tartar affects your tooth and gum health over a long enough time. Symptoms can include inflammation, bleeding gums, bone loss, bad taste, and bad breath.

Learn more about how we manage gum disease on our Periodontics page.

Whenever you eat or drink, especially foods containing sugars, your teeth collect plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your tooth’s surface. Plaque bacteria wear down your tooth enamel by producing harmful acids, eventually leading to a form of tooth decay known as a cavity. Cavities can affect adults as well as children.

Restorative services like fillings, crowns, and bridges are all checked during a dental exam. Dental restorations can experience some wear and tear over time and could also develop plaque and tartar. Exams help our dentists determine whether they need to repair or replace these restorative materials.

Plaque & Tartar Removal

Plaque and tartar removal is the very first step in our dental cleaning process. By scraping away stuck-on plaque and tartar with a scaler, we can help minimize the risk of developing issues like gum disease and tooth decay.

It may take longer to remove heavy build-ups of plaque and tartar, and you may experience some light bleeding during the cleaning, but this is normal. If you are concerned about discomfort, we also offer services to help manage dental anxiety.

During a polish, we use a high-powered electric toothbrush to help clear away any leftover tartar. Polishing toothpaste is very similar to regular toothpaste but with a gritty texture that helps our dentists thoroughly clean your teeth.

Professional flossing can help remove any leftover plaque or polishing paste you might still have on your teeth from earlier in the cleaning. If you have any trouble flossing at home, please let our team know and we can help you find easier ways to floss those tough-to-reach areas.

Fluoride is a common mineral found in most foods and water and has been proven to help minimize the risk of developing oral health problems. During a fluoride treatment, we will fill a mouthpiece with fluoride paste and let it rest on your teeth for a couple of minutes.

Dental sealant is a coating we apply to the outer layer of your teeth to prevent bacteria build-up. We generally apply sealants to molars, premolars, and teeth with deep grooves or crevices.

What to Expect from a Dental Cleaning

While brushing twice a day and flossing once a day help minimize plaque and tartar build-up, they can still collect over time. Dental cleanings are a comprehensive way to remove stuck-on plaque and tartar before they can cause issues like tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

Just like our dental exams, there are several steps our doctors take during a dental cleaning.

Book Your Appointment Today

If your family is looking for comprehensive dental care with the help of a compassionate team, look no further than Symmetry Dental. We are ready to help you and your family today! Please book your appointment now.

Our Location

Ready to See How We Can Help?

Call our friendly team and make an appointment today. We’d love to meet you.

Where to Park?

We are located in Southland Court. There is ample parking in the lot on the east side of the building. It is easily accessible by C-Train should you prefer transit.

Our Address

  • #150, 10601 Southport Road SW
  • Calgary, AB T2W 3M6

Contact Information

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: 8:00 AM 3:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM 3:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM 3:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM 3:00 PM
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM 2:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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