We are firm believers that prevention is better than cure, which means that we do everything that we can in order to support you with your dental hygiene. Your gums are really important as they serve to hold your teeth in their place, they are the foundations of a perfect, healthy mouth! Keeping on top of cleaning with normal brushing and getting in between the teeth help to keep the teeth and gums healthy, and also helps in the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease.
We find that a large amount of patients have bleeding gums but choose to ignore this this, which can often be an early warning sign of gum disease which is fully treatable. If left untreated, full blown gum disease can set in causing painful gums and loose teeth which can eventually fall out. In addition to this, there is scientific evidence that gum disease can be associated with other health conditions such as heart problems or diabetes.
What constitutes good oral hygiene?
Unfortunately it is very difficult to tell what is right and wrong when it comes to your own mouth, but there are definitely a few signs to look out for to ensure the mouth and gums stay healthy.
- Teeth should always be clean ,free of plaque and debris.
- The gums should be a pale pink in colour and sit closely against the teeth with no puffiness.
- There should be no bleeding upon brushing or flossing/interdental cleaning.
- You should not be suffering with bad breath after brushing your teeth.
What can be done at my appointment to help with my dental hygiene?
Keeping on top of things like plaque and tartar/calculus can be a challenge, which means that your twice-yearly check-up can be an ideal opportunity for us to help you get back on top of things. If we notice that you have bleeding gums, or if there is a build-up of plaque on your teeth, we are likely to recommend that you undergo a dental hygiene procedure by our specialist dental hygienists and therapists, who have the training to help them carry out cleaning procedures in the most effective way for your requirements, meaning you can look forward to great results.
What happens if I have poor dental hygiene?
There are several things that can happen if your oral hygiene is sub-standard, such as;
- Cavities
- Decay
- Tooth loss
- Loose teeth
- Teeth move position
- Gum disease
- Struggling to speak and eat
- Bad breath