Exams and Cleanings

Dental exams are a critical part of maintaining your oral health. We’ve been a trusted dental health provider for the Surrey and Langley communities for years. But if you’re a new patient coming in for a teeth cleaning, we want to have a complete picture of your dental history before beginning any treatment.

Our comprehensive dental exam will help us understand the current condition of your mouth and teeth. Here are some of the aspects we may assess before starting your teeth cleaning:

• X-rays: We can connect with a previous dental provider to take a look at any x-rays you’ve had done, and if not, take a full sequence for you. X-rays give us a snapshot of your teeth’s current positions and can help us diagnose any underlying issues, such as gum disease or tooth decay.

• Intra-oral evaluation: We will check the gums and bone surrounding your teeth for any signs of periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) and pocketing (signs of inflammation). We’ll take a full sequence of photos, and check for any signs of tooth decay. We use the AAA staging grade system and will designate an interval of hygiene from this.

• Oral cancer screenings: If necessary, we can conduct an oral cancer screening to scan for any signs of oral cancer in your facial features, throat, mouth, or gums. You have a better chance of identifying oral cancer in its early stages if you are proactive with oral cancer screenings, especially if you are aged 40 or older.

• Any additional scans: At Flagship Dental, we embrace digital technology to provide smooth, seamless experiences for our patients. Our 3D scanner will provide an accurate digital model of your mouth within minutes.

We’re also fast – once you’ve taken a test or screening of any kind with us, we won’t leave you hanging. You can expect your results within the same day.

While you’ll head to a dental clinic for teeth cleaning several times as the years go by, many factors go into determining the cost of a routine dental cleaning.

The range for the cost of teeth cleaning in Surrey and Langley for adults is between $200-$500, which is in line with the BC Dental Association’s standard fee guide. Regular dental cleanings are covered to some extent by most insurance providers. Check out our blog post the cost of cleanings for more details.

Your dental hygienist will work to remove plaque, tartar and stain build up on your teeth. Plaque, which is a soft, sticky film that forms due to food buildup, and tartar, a type of hardened buildup that forms on your teeth, can cause tooth decay if not removed. Even if you brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar will still accumulate in your mouth over time.

After inspecting your mouth, your dentist will use ultrasonic teeth cleaning tools to loosen plaque and tartar, and will spray away debris with water. Lastly, the surfaces of your teeth will be scaled and polished. At our office in Surrey, we use the newest technology in ultrasonic cleaning, and constantly strive to use only the safest and most effective materials when examining your mouth.

You shouldn’t experience any pain during a dental cleaning, but those with teeth and gum sensitivities may have periods of slight discomfort. We’ll check in regularly and make sure you’re comfortable during the teeth cleaning process.

It’s great to start teaching children healthy dental habits from a young age. Of course, you know your children best, but we have seen patients as young as two years old come in for a teeth cleaning.

For first time visits for kids, we’ll do a chair ride and introduce them to the dental environment, give them a prize to make it fun, and if they will open up their mouth we’ll go in for a look. We don’t recommend forcing this on the first visit. However, if needed – for example if your child has bumped their teeth – we’ll make sure this happens.

Our clinic in Surrey offers a welcoming, comfortable environment for patients of all ages, and you can feel confident that you’re leaving your little ones in good hands.