Preventive Care at KWC Dental
Why routine cleanings matter
Whether you come in every six months or it has been a few years, you are welcome here.
Brushing and flossing at home remove most of the soft plaque that builds up on your teeth each day. What they cannot remove is the hardened deposit, called tartar or calculus, that forms over time, especially along and below the gumline. A professional cleaning removes it.
Regular hygiene appointments help:
- Prevent gum disease. Tartar below the gumline irritates the gums and can lead to inflammation, bleeding and, over time, bone loss around the teeth.
- Catch decay early. A small cavity found at a checkup can often be treated with a simple filling. Left alone, decay can reach the nerve and need a root canal or extraction.
- Spot changes you might not notice. Your hygienist and dentist look at your teeth, gums, tongue and the soft tissues of your mouth for signs of inflammation or anything unusual.
- Lower the risk of tooth loss. Gum disease is a common cause of tooth loss in adults, and regular care helps prevent much of it.
What happens at a hygiene visit
A routine hygiene appointment usually includes the following. Your visit may vary depending on your needs.
1. Health history check
We will ask about changes to your health or medications since your last visit, since some affect your gums and teeth.
2. Gum health check
Your hygienist will often measure the small space between each tooth and the gum around it. Healthy gums usually fit snugly. Deeper pockets, bleeding or recession can be early signs of gum disease, and tracking these measurements over time helps show whether your gums are stable.
3. X-rays, when needed
Your hygienist will recommend X-rays when necessary to find cavities between the teeth, check your bone levels and look for signs of infection. You will not usually need X-rays at every visit. How often they are taken depends on your age, your history and your risk of decay, and your dentist will advise.
4. Scaling
Your hygienist removes tartar and plaque from above and below the gumline. If your gums are tender, tell us and we can go more slowly.
5. Polishing
Your teeth are polished to remove surface stains.
6. Fluoride and sealants, when recommended
Fluoride may be applied to help strengthen enamel. For some patients, especially children and teens, your hygienist may recommend fissure sealants: a thin protective coating that seals the deep grooves on back teeth to help prevent decay.
7. The dentist’s exam
A dentist will examine your teeth and gums and give you direction and next steps if there are signs of anything that may need treatment. Oral cancer screenings are done at our offices on an annual basis and at first visits. That includes checking the head and neck, the lymph nodes and the higher risk areas of the mouth, such as the sides of the tongue and the floor of the mouth.
8. Home care coaching
Throughout your visit, your hygienist will show you what you can do at home to improve and maintain your oral health: brushing technique, how to floss or use interdental brushes, and anything specific to your mouth.
How often should you have a cleaning?
Cleaning intervals are set for each patient. Many patients come in every six months, but there is no single interval that suits everyone. Your hygienist and dentist will recommend a recall schedule based on your gum health, your risk of decay and your medical history.
- Every six months is common for patients with healthy gums and a low risk of decay.
- More often, such as every three or four months, may be recommended if you have gum disease or are prone to tartar buildup.
- Your schedule can change as your gum health changes.
Check your insurance plan too. Some plans cover cleanings or recall exams a set number of times per year, or by a time interval.
Make it routine. The easiest way to stay on track is to book your next cleaning before you leave.
Gum health and deep cleaning
Periodontal disease, often called gum disease, is more common than you might think. It can be mild or severe, and it often develops without pain, which is why regular checkups matter.
Common signs of gum disease:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, puffy or tender gums
- Gums pulling back from the teeth, leaving roots exposed
- Sensitivity or pain when eating or drinking
- In more advanced cases, teeth that feel loose or are shifting
Common contributing factors include plaque and tartar left behind by brushing and flossing that misses areas, skipped cleanings, brushing too hard, infection of the gum tissue and a genetic tendency toward gum disease. Smoking and some health conditions, such as diabetes, are also associated with gum disease.
Treatment. In mild cases, our team will do a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, where the root surfaces of the teeth are cleaned of bacteria and deposits below the gumline. This is often followed by more frequent hygiene visits for a while to help keep the gums stable. In more advanced cases, a deep cleaning may not be enough, and your dentist will talk with you about other options. See our Oral Surgery and Sedation Dentistry page for more on advanced gum care.
Cleanings for kids and families
Good habits start early. KWC Dental provides preventive care for children, teens and adults, so the whole family can come to the same practice.
When should a child have their first visit? Canadian dental guidance generally recommends a first visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by the first birthday. Early visits are usually short and gentle, and mostly about getting your child used to the chair and giving you tips for home care.
What we focus on for children and teens:
- Gentle cleanings and checkups at a pace that suits your child
- Fluoride, when recommended, to help strengthen developing teeth
- Fissure sealants on back teeth, when recommended, to help protect the deep grooves from decay
- Monitoring wisdom teeth in the late teens. See Wisdom Teeth Removal
Family scheduling. If you would like to book several family members close together, mention it when you call or in your appointment request and the team will look at what is available.
Insurance, CDCP and payment
CDCP, insurance and direct billing. We accept CDCP and all private insurance plans, and we are happy to bill your insurance provider directly on your behalf. Patients are ultimately responsible for understanding their coverage before beginning treatment, but we can assist by submitting estimates and direct billing when available.
Students. If you are a student and have not opted out of your school’s dental insurance plan, you are most likely eligible for coverage. The University of Waterloo plan lists recall exams, cleanings and root planing. The Wilfrid Laurier plan lists examinations, X-rays, cleaning and one recall exam a year. The Conestoga College plan lists recall exams, cleanings, root planing and scaling. Our Waterloo clinic is near both universities and easy to reach by ION or bus.
Payment plans. KWC Dental is paired with Dentalcard, which gives you a payment plan option for any of our treatments.
See Financing and Insurance for more.
New to KWC Dental?
New patients are welcome. We recommend booking a New Patient Exam. It is an hour and a half appointment where your teeth are cleaned and polished by a hygienist, X-rays are taken if needed, and you have a thorough oral examination by the dentist at the end. Please arrive 15 minutes early, and bring your insurance information, a list of any medications you take, any dental X-rays taken in the past six months (electronic copies, emailed), and IFHP papers if you are a refugee covered by the Interim Federal Health Program. See Your First Visit for details.
Find us
KWC Dental has two clinics serving patients across Waterloo, Cambridge and Kitchener.
KWC Bridgeport Weber Dental
Unit 10, 70 Bridgeport Rd E, Waterloo, ON N2J 2J9
Phone: 519-885-7272
Our Waterloo clinic
KWC Franklin Dental
Unit 10, 800 Franklin Blvd, Cambridge, ON N1R 7Z1
Phone: 519-624-8880
Our Cambridge clinic
Coming from Kitchener? Patients from Kitchener are served by our Bridgeport Weber clinic in Waterloo.
Dental care for Kitchener patients
Related treatments
- General Dentistry: exams, fillings, root canals, oral cancer screenings and night guards
- Oral Surgery and Sedation Dentistry: advanced gum care, extractions and options for dental anxiety
- Emergency Dentistry: what to do if something goes wrong between visits
- Wisdom Teeth Removal: assessment and removal for teens and adults
- Your First Visit: what to expect as a new patient
- Financing and Insurance: CDCP, direct billing, student plans and payment options
Request an appointment
Due for a cleaning? Choose your clinic on our request form, pick “Check-up and cleaning”, and tell us when suits you. The office will call you back to confirm a time. If you would rather speak to someone, call Bridgeport Weber at 519-885-7272 or Franklin at 519-624-8880.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Cleaning intervals are set for each patient. Many patients come in every six months, and patients with gum disease are often advised to come in more often, such as every three or four months. Your hygienist and dentist will recommend a schedule that suits you.
What happens during a dental cleaning?
A routine cleaning usually includes a health history check, a gum health check, X-rays when needed, removal of tartar and plaque, polishing, and fluoride or sealants when recommended. A dentist then examines your teeth and gums and explains any next steps.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush or floss?
Bleeding gums are often a sign of gum inflammation, usually caused by plaque and tartar along the gumline. It is a common early sign of gum disease. Keep brushing and flossing gently, and book a cleaning and checkup so your dentist can see what is going on.
When should my child have their first dental visit?
Canadian dental guidance generally recommends a first visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by the first birthday. Early visits are usually short and focus on getting your child comfortable and giving you tips for home care.
Do you accept CDCP?
Yes. We accept CDCP and all private insurance plans, and we are happy to bill your insurance provider directly on your behalf. Patients are ultimately responsible for understanding their coverage before beginning treatment, but we can assist by submitting estimates.
I have not been to the dentist in years. Can I still book a cleaning?
Yes. New patients are welcome, including people coming back after a long break. We will not judge. We will start with a New Patient Exam, explain what we find, and help you build a plan and a routine from there.
Meet your dentists
Meet Our Dentists
Dr. Samuel Samra, Dr. Ayman Samra, Dr. Azehar Raouf and Dr. Aliki Divaris care for patients at our clinics in Waterloo and Cambridge.
Dr. Aliki Divaris
D.D.S.
