Dental Hygienist
Dental hygiene is vital to keeping your teeth, gums and mouth healthy. By following a strict regime daily, you will be less likely to develop further dental complications.
The guidelines recommend that you:
→ Brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day, for at least two minutes each time
→ Floss once a day
→ Use a (fluoride) mouthwash for tooth decay protection
As well as practicing this daily, it is also recommended to come and see a dental hygienist every six months (unless advised otherwise by your dentist/hygienist). This is so we can see those hard-to-reach areas in your mouth and give you a deep clean. If there are any stubborn build-ups of plaque, using our professional tools, we can remove them safely for you. (if left untreated, you may start to experience dental pain as tooth decay sets in).
Why is looking after our teeth important?
Our mouths are havens for bacteria. This is heavily influenced by our diets and the temptation to put things in our mouth to chew on (pen lids, fingernails) etc. Sugar in the foods and drinks we consume is effectively fueling the bacteria which produce the acid that attacks our teeth. This is what leads to the holes in our teeth (cavities/caries).
It’s important we do our daily oral hygiene rituals as it helps to take a proactive approach to removing the build-up of bacteria. However, sometimes we may not be as thorough as we intended, which is why it is so important to come and see a dental hygienist regularly.
In the early stages of tooth decay, cavities will start to appear in the teeth. Initially, you may not even notice them, as pain is not always the first sign. When it gets to the pain stage, it can mean that bacteria creep into the tooth and cause issues around the nerve. If this becomes infected, you may need a root canal to save the tooth. In the worst case scenarios, you could potentially lose a tooth and then will need to consider a tooth replacement option.
We always advise our patients to invest time in their oral hygiene routine and to see our hygienist regularly. In the long run, it can save you a lot of hassle (with complications) and money (to fix any complications).