Protecting & Optimizing Your Oral Health
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We aim to help you look and feel great while you show off your clean, healthy smile. With regular professional dental cleanings at our Maple Ridge dental office, we can do just that.
Regular preventative dental care the key to keeping your smile healthy for life. Preventive dental appointments every six months at our dental clinic will include the checkups, professional cleanings, digital X-rays, and instruction for at-home oral hygiene.
Checkups
During your oral exam, your dentist will carefully inspect your teeth, gums, and bite to identify any developing dental health problems and treat them before they become serious. These problems include cavities, tooth decay requiring fillings, gum disease, and oral abnormalities.
Your checkup will also include a screening for oral cancer and other oral abnormalities.
Professional Cleanings
The dental hygienist will begin the cleaning portion of your appointment by using a scaler ultra sonic to remove plaque and tartar from around your gum line and between your teeth.
Next, the hygienist will polish your teeth with an electric handpiece and a gritty toothpaste for a deep clean and perfect polish.
We also offer Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) — an advanced, gentler cleaning using AIRFLOW® technology that removes biofilm more thoroughly and comfortably than traditional methods. Learn more about GBT →
Digital X-Rays
Your dentist will use digital dental x-rays to examine portions of your mouth and teeth not visible to the naked eye.
Digital x-ray technology uses a small electronic sensor to capture an image of the inside of your mouth, which can be called up instantly on a computer screen by your chair. Learn more about our dental technology.
At-Home Hygiene Instruction
At the end of your dental appointment, your dentist or hygienist will provide you with any necessary advice or instruction to improve your at-home oral hygiene routine.
This includes brushing, flossing and dietary advice, as well as suggestions for supplementary hygiene tools. We offer tailored guidance for adults and children alike.
Fissure Sealants
Fissure sealants are a quick, painless coating applied to the grooves of back teeth where decay most commonly develops. They create a smooth, protective barrier that makes brushing more effective.
Sealants are especially beneficial for children and teenagers as their permanent molars come in, but adults with deep grooves can benefit too. Learn more about our fissure sealant treatments.
Fluoride Treatments
Professional fluoride treatments strengthen enamel and help reverse early signs of tooth decay. Applied as a varnish during your regular visit, the concentrated fluoride provides protection far beyond what toothpaste alone can offer.
We recommend fluoride treatments for patients of all ages, particularly children, those with a history of cavities, and patients with dry mouth or gum recession.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, but early treatment can halt its progression. We offer scaling, root planing, and ongoing periodontal maintenance to protect your gums and keep your teeth.
Learn more about our periodontal disease treatment options.
Oral Cancer Screening
Early detection saves lives. As part of every routine examination, our dentists perform a thorough oral cancer screening, checking soft tissues for unusual changes, lesions, or abnormalities that may need further investigation.
Screenings are quick, painless, and included with your regular preventive care visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I visit the dentist?
We recommend a checkup and professional cleaning every six months for most patients. If you have gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, or other risk factors, your dentist may suggest more frequent visits — typically every three to four months — to stay ahead of potential problems.
- Are dental X-rays safe?
Yes. Our digital X-rays use up to 80% less radiation than traditional film X-rays. The amount of exposure is extremely small — comparable to the natural background radiation you receive in a single day. We follow the ALARA principle (as low as reasonably achievable) and only take X-rays when clinically necessary.
- What is Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)?
GBT is a modern, evidence-based approach to professional cleaning. It uses AIRFLOW technology to gently remove biofilm, stains, and early calculus with a fine powder spray. It is more comfortable than traditional scaling, reaches areas conventional instruments can miss, and is safe for use on natural teeth, implants, braces, and veneers. Learn more about GBT at our practice.
- At what age should my child first see a dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth erupting, or by age one. Early visits allow us to check for developmental issues, catch early decay, and help your child feel comfortable at the dentist from a young age. Visit our children's dental services page for more information.
- Does preventive dental care hurt?
Preventive visits are generally comfortable and painless. Professional cleanings may cause mild sensitivity in some patients, but techniques like GBT are specifically designed to be gentler. If you experience dental anxiety, we offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to help you relax during any visit.
- Is preventive care covered by insurance?
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive services at 80% to 100%, including exams, cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride treatments. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) also covers preventive care for eligible Canadians. We direct-bill to most insurance providers and can help you understand your coverage before your appointment.
Why Preventive Care Matters
- Catch Problems Early — Small cavities, early gum disease, and even oral cancer are far easier and less expensive to treat when detected in the early stages during routine checkups.
- Save Money Long-Term — A $200 preventive visit can help you avoid a $2,000 crown or a $5,000 implant. Prevention is always the most cost-effective approach to dental care.
- Protect Your Overall Health — Research links gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions. Keeping your mouth healthy supports your whole body.
- Keep Your Natural Teeth — With consistent preventive care, there is no reason you cannot keep your natural teeth for life. Gum disease and decay are largely preventable.
- Comfortable, Modern Experience — Technologies like GBT, digital X-rays, and intraoral scanners make preventive visits faster, more accurate, and more comfortable than ever before.
- Personalized Guidance — Every patient receives tailored advice on brushing technique, flossing, diet, and supplementary products based on their individual oral health profile.
Children's Dental Care
We make dental visits fun for kids with gentle, age-appropriate children's dental services including exams, cleanings, fissure sealants, and fluoride treatments designed to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth.
Restorative Services
When prevention is not enough, our restorative services including same-day CEREC crowns, composite fillings, and biomimetic dentistry can repair and protect your teeth with a conservative approach.
Book Your Visit
Keeping your smile healthy starts with your next appointment. We welcome new patients and families throughout Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and the surrounding communities. Schedule your preventive care visit today.