We are committed to providing you the opportunity to achieve optimal dental health. A critical part of that is creating and maintaining healthy gums and bones in an effort to prevent loss of teeth as a result of disease.

We are unique in that we have a comprehensive approach to all of your dental visits. Our experienced Hygiene team at McKenzie Dental are dedicated to removing bacteria and tartar around your teeth and your gums, which is responsible for the majority of dental disease. It is the bacteria remaining around your teeth that result in dental cavities and gum disease.

We probe your gums to look for healthy and/or unhealthy gums and bone. Healthy gum measurements are 1 – 3mm. The first stage of unhealthy gums is gingivitis. Gums with gingivitis have measurements of 4mm, and the pockets are inflamed and infected with bacteria. The second stage is periodontal disease, when the measurements are 5mm and higher, and the bone is also infected with bacteria.

How often you need hygiene maintenance will be determined by your personalized needs. People without signs of disease are usually well maintained with hygiene treatment every 6 months. People suffering from gingivitis or periodontitis require more frequent treatment to control their disease, often every 3-4 months. Severe periodontitis often requires combined treatment with a specialist to prevent tooth loss and can involve surgical or antimicrobial intervention.

Your comfort level during your hygiene appointment is of the utmost importance to us. If you suffer from mild sensitivity, we can apply a topical anesthetic on the gums, or use a desensitizing gel for sensitive teeth. If you require more profound anesthesia, we are licensed to provide local anesthetic. Our hygiene team at McKenzie Dental wants you to have a beautiful and healthy smile for the rest of your life.