Oral Hygiene
Dental hygiene refers to the practice of keeping your mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy to prevent disease. Dental hygiene and oral health is often taken for granted but are essential parts of our everyday lives.
Maintaining your teeth is not just about looking good. Poor dental hygiene can lead to problems that are much bigger than an unpleasant smile. Tooth decay and gum disease can affect other parts of your body, including your heart.
Our hygiene unit comprise of Dental hygienist who are health professionals and experts when it comes to the health of your oral health and gums.
Your visit to the Hygiene unit will involve the following service:
Assessment of oral health conditions, review of the patient’s health history and dental charting
Charting of Periodontal pockets, to recognize and evaluate gum disease.
Examination of oral tissues and recognition of abnormalities.
Taking bitewing radiographs, for recognizing dental caries or other abnormalities.
Application of a fluoride solution, to help prevent caries in high-risk patients.
Application of a desensitizing agent, to prevent minor enamel sensitivity.
Removal of Plaque:
Plaque is an almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food, debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins that inflame the gums.
Stain Removal/Teeth Polishing:
This service is not otherwise removed during normal tooth brushing. Your Hygienist will scale your teeth to remove calculus build-up and polish the surface of your teeth removing minor stains.
Removal of Calculus:
Your Hygienist, using special dental instruments will remove your calculus build-up. Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can best be removed with special dental instruments.
Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus to a minimum, but a professional cleaning will remove calculus in places your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your visit to our office is an important part of your program to prevent gum disease to help keep your teeth for your lifetime.
In most cases, we recommend that patients receive their “cleaning” once every six months. Regular cleanings are great for preventing cavities, caries, and various types of oral diseases. Even more, regular dental cleanings will keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean. Regular cleanings also help patients reduce bacteria that cause inflammation and heightens the functionality of blood vessels to ensure the proper flow of blood.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a highly effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces.
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses, if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age.
Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.