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Have you booked your next dental checkup yet? If not, you should. There is a good reason that your dentist recommends you visit them for a checkup every six months. These appointments give them the chance to perform many critical tasks that keep your teeth and gums in good shape. Our list of 8 things your
family dentist in Mississauga does during each checkup will help you understand why these biannual trips are so important.

8 Things Your Dentist in Mississauga Does During Checkups

X-Rays

Taking x-rays is the first thing your dentist will do during any checkup. X-rays give dentists valuable insight into how the soft and hard tissues of your mouth are faring in areas they cannot see first-hand. X-ray imaging can identify tooth decay, bone loss, tumours, impacted teeth, and other serious problems. Getting regular checkups is key to catching these issues early and mitigating their destructive potential.

Comprehensive Visual Exam

Once your x-rays are done, your dentist will look at the inside of your mouth. Using their trained professional eye, they will look for damaged dental work, gum disease, visible signs of tooth decay, and other red flags that may indicate an oral health problem. They may also measure the depth of your gum pockets with a special probe to determine the severity of any gum disease.

Bite Evaluation

The way your teeth meet when you close your mouth is called your bite. Your dentist will check your bite to make sure that none of your teeth are under too much pressure during normal speaking and eating. They will also look for evidence of a shifting bite that might become a problem soon. If they find any issues, they may recommend orthodontic treatment to address them.

Salivary Gland Inspection

Adequate saliva production is critical to good oral health, so dentists look at your salivary glands as part of the checkup process. They examine the glands for signs of problems, such as swelling or abnormal coloration. They also gauge how much saliva your glands can produce. If they are not satisfied with the results, they may order further tests or offer advice on how to stimulate those glands and boost their productivity.

Tongue Evaluation

The condition of your tongue can tell your dentist a lot about your oral health and even your general health. Your dentist will check its colour, texture, and size during your checkup to see if anything is amiss. If they observe signs that point to possible health conditions like diabetes or vitamin B12 deficiency, they will let you know so you can see your doctor for treatment.

Early Detection

Dentists are trained to care for a wide variety of oral health issues, and they use checkups as an opportunity to keep on top of these things. Your dentist will look for indications of severe problems like oral cancer, nerve damage, and impacted wisdom teeth, as well as cavities and gum disease. They will also evaluate how well attached your teeth are to your gums and bone. If any are loose, they may be able to initiate treatment that will reattach it and avoid irreversible tooth loss.

Oral Cancer Screening

One of the most important duties a dentist has is to check their patients for oral cancer. This cancer can develop anywhere along the lips, gums, tongue, the insides of your cheeks and throat, and the roof and floor of your mouth.

Your dentist will look for telltale signs of the condition, such as white patches and abnormal growths, but you should let them know if you have experienced any problems like tenderness in your mouth or lips, sores that are slow to heal, or a feeling like something is stuck in your throat. The survival rate for this type of cancer is higher the earlier it is caught, so it is important not to overlook this aspect of dental checkups.

Building Rapport

Just like a doctor, a good dentist takes the time to get to know their patients. During your checkups, your dentist will chat with you to learn more about your personality and oral health habits.

Are you a nervous person who needs a gentler approach? Does your oral hygiene need some work, and if so, which challenges are getting in your way? Do you have a family history of oral health conditions like amelogenesis imperfecta? All of these things are important for your dentist to know and can help inform the way they provide your care. This is one of the reasons why it is beneficial to keep seeing the same dentist for many years. Over time, they will come to know all of your quirks and traits, and you will feel more comfortable with them as a result.

Book a Dental Exam with the Best Family Dentist in Mississauga

Dental checkups are extremely important opportunities to evaluate your oral health. They should never be skipped, and your dentist should never rush the process. At Trillium Smile Dentistry, we put your oral health first. We are a leading family and emergency dentist in Mississauga with staff who are trusted by countless patients. Contact us today to book your next dental checkup – when you visit us, you can be sure that you are in good hands.

A shattered tooth or painful toothache is distressing enough on its own, but it is far worse when it happens outside of regular dental office hours. Luckily, there is a solution that can get you the care you need. Emergency dentists offer expedited treatment that will get you out of pain and on the road to recovery without having to contend with a long wait. Choosing your emergency dentist before you need one can make it even easier to get timely dental treatment in a crisis.

What Are Emergency Dental Services?

Emergency dental services are priority care given when time is of the essence. They are usually booked by patients who are experiencing severe pain or dental trauma. You may need an emergency appointment if you have any of the following conditions:

3 Ways an Emergency Dentist Helps

If you have never needed an emergency dentist before, you might not understand why they are important.

Going to an emergency dentist:

Connects You to a Qualified Professional

There are so many dentists, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This is especially true when you are anxious, in pain, and wondering which office has the skills you need.

When you already have an emergency dentist in mind before the issue happens, you know exactly where to go for treatment and relief. There is no need to research dental offices in Mississauga or figure out how to get there. You can just call the clinic and book an appointment.

Gets You Faster Treatment

Tooth pain can be some of the most intense pain you will ever feel, and you will want it to be over as soon as possible. You also have a much better chance of saving a damaged or knocked-out tooth if you get immediate treatment after the injury occurs.

Depending on the time of day when the injury took place, your emergency dentist can often see you within a few hours of your call. This gets you out of pain faster and makes it more likely that your tooth will be saved.

Helps Prevent Infection

Almost every dental emergency carries some risk of infection, and that risk gets worse the longer you wait to have the problem treated.

An emergency dentist can ensure your tooth’s vulnerable inner tissues are safe from infection. They may also prescribe some antibiotics for you if they feel that is needed.

Proactively Preparing for Dental Emergencies

When dental disasters strike, it can be challenging to think clearly enough to figure out what you should do. These tips will help you take the necessary steps to ensure the best outcomes for specific dental emergencies.

Tooth Pain and Swelling

Toothaches and swelling often happen due to food getting stuck under your gums or between your teeth, causing irritation. You can relieve some of your symptoms by swishing some warm salt water around in your mouth. This will soothe some pain and may wash away some of the irritants.

If pain is still a problem at this point, a cold compress may help. Over-the-counter pain medication can also be useful, but do not place the pills against your gums. Despite what you might have heard, this is a dangerous practice that can cause severe chemical burns within your mouth.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth can sometimes be repaired, and it helps to collect and save all the pieces of your tooth to bring with you if possible. If there is swelling around the jaw or you are in pain, try applying a cold compress to the area.

Knocked-Out Tooth

There is no time to waste when you have lost a tooth. Handle it by touching only the crown, or the part that would be above the gum line. Be very careful to never touch the root of the tooth. Pick it up and rinse it with water, then try to place it back in its socket.

If the tooth does not fit easily into the socket, place it in a glass of milk or your saliva. Bring it to your dentist as soon as possible. If you get there in less than one hour, you have the best possible chance of saving your tooth.

Broken Crown

A broken crown calls for an immediate dental visit. If you are in pain while you are waiting, try applying some clove oil to the area around the affected tooth. You can also try to gently put the crown back in place with some toothpaste or dental adhesive. Do not force the crown onto your tooth if it does not fit naturally. You should also never use any type of glue to fix a broken crown. Leave that to your dentist!

Abscess

As long as the infection has not progressed too far, a warm salt water rinse can control pain from a dental abscess. However, this is a temporary measure and will not do the job for long, so be sure to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Trillium Smile Dentistry Offers Emergency Dentistry Services

Good emergency dental care can make a big difference during stressful times in your life. If you want an emergency dentist in Mississauga you know you can rely on, visit Trillium Smile Dentistry. Dr. Tousi is one of the best dentists in the GTA and has treated countless patients for dental injuries, advanced tooth decay, abscesses, and more. Trust us for your emergency care when you need it! Call us at 905-828-9894 or book an appointment online and get to know our team today.

Many people think dentistry is focused on fixing oral health problems, but the best dentists work to make sure you never have these problems in the first place.

Your dentist in Mississauga can help you improve and maintain your oral health with preventative dentistry services. These procedures can keep your teeth and gums intact, improve your overall health, and even save you money.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted Canadians’ dental health routines and made it difficult for patients to receive the dental care they need.

Like most dental offices in Mississauga, Trillium Smile Dentistry has continued to offer dental services throughout the pandemic. As we are considered an essential service in Ontario, we are still open and available to provide dental care.

We have modified our usual practices and made additional investments to ensure that our patients feel comfortable when they visit our office during the ongoing pandemic. Here is what you can expect from us at this time.

Many people enjoy the look of a bright white smile, but this classic marker of beauty can be difficult to maintain. Teeth are never naturally pure white and often tend to darken with age. Additionally, they acquire surface stains from food, drink, or tobacco use over time. As a result, people often become increasingly dissatisfied with the colour of their teeth.

Fortunately, these tooth discolouration issues can easily be treated using a variety of simple and painless tooth whitening procedures. These treatments can significantly whiten your teeth and help you make a sparkling first impression with everyone you meet. Both in-home and in-office options exist to allow every patient to balance convenience, cost, and effectiveness to best suit their needs.

Please note that to ensure optimal outcomes for your whitening treatment and dental health, we strongly recommend that you visit us for a cleaning before your whitening appointment.