Are dental fees keeping you away from your dentist's office? Preventative and diagnostic dental services can prevent dental problems or their progression and help detect diseases or conditions early.
By maintaining good dental health at home and with professional dental cleanings, you can save on costly treatments later on. So, what is the price of dental cleaning in Alberta?
The cost of dental cleanings in Alberta can vary with individual dental practices and the patient's oral health.
For more information about our fees and what to expect, speak to one of our patient coordinators.
What's Involved in Dental Cleaning?
Regular cleanings are preventative care services done by registered dental hygienists. Dental cleaning is essential for detecting early signs of gingivitis or gum disease.
The dental cleaning process starts with an exam, followed by scaling, flossing, rinsing, polishing, and lastly, a fluoride treatment:
Physical Exam
A physical exam of your teeth and gums gives the dental hygienist an overview of your oral health and checks for any signs of disease. Pain and inflammation of gum tissue can indicate gingivitis. And loose teeth, bleeding, and gums pulling away from teeth can indicate periodontal disease.
If there is a concern, your dentist may be consulted. Otherwise, the hygienist can continue with the next step in cleaning, which is scaling.
Cleaning & Scaling
Cleaning addresses the surface of the teeth, whereas scaling or deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) buildup between teeth and around the gumline. This can help prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Flossing
After scaling, your dental hygienist thoroughly flosses your teeth to remove the remaining plaque or residue from the clean. This can be followed by a rinse.
Polish
Polishing the teeth is a standard part of dental cleaning. Polishing can help with the appearance and the health of your teeth. It does this by removing stains and leaving your enamel smooth and glossy.
Fluoride
The last step of dental cleaning is a fluoride treatment. Fluoride helps build strong teeth and protects them from cavities. Fluoride treatment can be applied with a highly concentrated rinse, foam, gel, or varnish.
Cost of Dental Cleaning in Alberta
There is no set fee for dental cleaning in Alberta. An example of the things your cleaning may include:
Scaling: Billed per one unit of time
Polish: Billed per unit of polish
Fluoride: Can be administered as a rinse, gel, foam, or varnish
Since dentists set fees based on their individual practices, these prices are not standard. Your dental cleaning fee can vary based on the number of units of time used for scaling and polishing during dental cleaning and the extent of treatment needed. The cost of your dental cleaning can also depend on whether you have dental insurance.
Based on your individual oral care needs, it's best to speak to your dental office about recommended services, their benefits, and estimated costs to avoid unexpected surprises on your final bill.
Benefits of Regular Dental Cleaning
Regular dental cleanings can prevent dental problems. They can also catch them early enough to avoid something more serious later on that may require more costly treatments.
Dental cleaning should be done every 6 months or at a frequency determined by you and your dentist. Here are some benefits of regular dental cleanings:
Prevents gum disease by removing plaque and tartar buildup
Prevents tooth loss
Prevents bad breath
Whiter smile
Early detection of potential problems and signs of oral disease
Healthy teeth and gums
You can reduce the cost of dental cleanings by following oral hygiene and preventative care tips:
Brush at least twice a day, or ideally after every meal.
Floss once a day.
Use fluoride toothpaste.
Limit sugary snacks and drinks.
Don't smoke or use any tobacco products.
Have regular dental exams as recommended by your dentist. This is based on your individual needs and risks.
Have regular dental cleanings.
Care Over Cost
The cost of dental care should not prevent you from having regular cleanings. Untreated dental issues are linked to other health problems, such as respiratory disease, and some conditions like diabetes can increase your risk of gum disease.
If you have questions about dental cleaning fees, the dental team at Dental Haus is happy to help. Contact us or book an appointment with an Edmonton dentist today.