Oral Hygiene is the practice of keeping your mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent dental problems such as gum disease, decay and bad breath. Most people at some stage suffer from some form of gum disease. One of the main types of gum disease is periodontal disease and it has been linked to many other serious conditions including, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, stroke, chronic kidney disease, premature births and cancer. Good oral hygiene can be achieved using a combination of at home care such as brushing and flossing and regular visits to a Dental Hygienist. Dental Hygienists are specially trained professionals who will provide individualised preventative dental treatment such as oral hygiene instructions, dietary advice, removal of plaque and calculus deposits, and application of decay preventing agents and organise a personalised active maintenance program in order to maintain long term dental health.
Your appointment with the dental hygienist will generally consist of:
- A review of your medical and dental history
- Addressing any individual concerns you may have about your mouth for example bad breath, bleeding, sensitivity or discomfort.
- X-rays to check for decay, existing fillings, and other issues that cannot be seen. These are generally taken at your first appointment and then subsequently every 2 years after that.
- A comprehensive evaluation of your oral tissue, teeth and gums.
- Instruction to show how to care for your teeth and gums.
- A professional scaling and polishing of the teeth above and below the gum line to remove plaque, calculus and stains.
- Application of fluoride to help prevent further decay
- Recommendation for your personalised active maintenance plan to help prevent any future problems.