Oral Hygiene Care
The Simple Way to Make a Big Impact on Your SmileOral Hygiene Care
The Simple Way to Make a Big Impact on Your Smile
One of the easiest ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy and happy is to visit your dental hygienist regularly.
Most people believe their oral health is just fine but in reality nearly 90% of adults will experience some level of gum disease at least once in their lifetime. And if you have veneers, crowns, implants, fillings or other cosmetic dental work, seeing a hygienist for regular cleanings is even more important.
The Benefits of Regular Plaque Removal
If plaque is left to its own devices, it will build up over time and drastically increase the chances of tooth decay and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and other serious issues such as:
- Abscesses
- Loose and/or splayed front teeth
- Bone shrinkage around the teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Bleeding, spongy, swollen and painful gums
- Increased risk of heart disease and strokes.
- Increased risk of oral cancer
Preventative Care
That’s why we recommend a full cleaning once or twice a year. Not only will your teeth look and feel great, during your visit we can:
- Help prevent gum disease- Gum disease can be treated and even reversed by regular professional cleaning
- Improve your overall health- Plaque has been linked to diabetes, respiratory problems and heart disease
- Give you a whiter and healthier smile
- Prevent bad breath- Halitosis can be caused by bacteria under the gumline, where only a dental professional can clean
- Prevent oral cancer- We screen for oral cancer and advise you on risk factors. If detected early, oral cancer is highly curable
- Stop your gums from bleeding
- Help you keep the teeth you have- Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss. Removing plaque regularly will help prevent it.
The Process
What to expect during your oral hygiene appointment
During your visit with us we will ask you a few questions about your general health and current oral health regime and provide any relevant advice concerning your diet, smoking habits or any alcohol use that may be affecting your oral health.
We will then perform a thorough checkup of your teeth, mouth and gums, including a screening for signs of oral cancer.
Finally, we will create a dental regime specifically for you, including the most effective ways to brush, floss and generally take good care of your teeth between checkups.
Aftercare
An essential aspect for any successful care. The oral hygiene habits you practice will have a direct bearing on outcomes.
FAQs
What happens during the cleaning process?
During your first appointment we will fully assess your current oral health and identify any gum disease or potentially problem areas. We will then remove the plaque and bacteria with our state-of-the-art ultrasonic scaler and finish by polishing your teeth.
How often should I visit the hygienist?
There is no hard and fast rule about how often you should visit your hygienists for treatment as it depends on many factors and everyone’s dental health is different. However, at Camlough Dental we believe everyone should have regular appointments at least twice a year. Speak to your dentist and they will be able to advise you on a treatment program that’s best for you.
What’s the difference between gum disease, gingivitis and periodontal disease?
Gum disease is a generic term for the swelling, soreness or infection of the gums. There are two main types of gum disease: gingivitis which is a general inflammation, and periodontal disease which infects not only the gum but also the bone beneath it.
Your teeth are attached to this bone by microscopic fibres and if the periodontal disease process continues it will destroy these and create a ‘pocket’ around the tooth. The deeper the pocket, the worse the periodontal disease. Leaving it untreated is a common cause of tooth loss.
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