Good dental hygiene is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, as well as overall oral health. Poor dental hygiene can lead to a variety of dental problems, including decay, gum disease, and bad breath. In addition to this, poor oral health has been linked to a range of other health issues.
Achieving and maintaining good dental hygiene
When patients visit the dentist Soho they may expect to be given personal advice as to how to create good dental hygiene routines. The following recommended steps can be taken by the patient at home.
Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is helpful for removing plaque and preventing decay. Flossing between the teeth is known to help remove food particles and plaque from where a toothbrush can’t usually reach. Using mouthwash can help to kill bacteria in the mouth and freshen a patient’s breath. Eating a healthy and varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help to promote healthy teeth and gums. Foods and drinks that are high in sugar and acid can damage the tooth’s enamel, leading to tooth decay.
The role of a dental hygienist
A dental hygienist is a qualified oral health practitioner who may work alongside dentists to help patients achieve and maintain good dental hygiene. Dental hygienists are trained to perform a variety of preventive treatments, including cleaning teeth using dental instruments and pastes; providing education on proper brushing and flossing techniques; screening for oral health problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and oral cancer; applying fluoride treatments to the teeth to help prevent tooth decay.
Dental hygienists also play an important role in promoting the oral health of patients with fixed dental appliances, such as bridges, dental implants and dentures. These appliances are designed to improve the appearance and function of teeth, but they can also make oral hygiene more challenging. Dental hygienists can offer guidance and support to patients with fixed dental appliances, ensuring that their knowledge of how to maintain oral hygiene is good.
One of the main challenges for patients with fixed dental appliances is due to food particles and plaque easily accumulating around the appliances, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dental hygienists can provide patients with practical advice on how to keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy. They can demonstrate the correct way to brush and floss around the appliances, and recommend particular tools, such as interdental brushes, to help their patients reach difficult areas.
Dental hygienists can also help patients to identify potential problems with their fixed dental appliances. For example, loose fixtures on bridges and dentures can cause irritation and discomfort in the mouth.
Regular appointments with a dental hygienist are considered essential for all patients when it comes to oral health education and creating good oral hygiene routines which can be implemented at home. These appointments provide an opportunity for the hygienist to monitor the patient’s oral health and offer advice on any necessary changes to their oral hygiene routine. They can also perform professional cleaning procedures, such as scaling and polishing, to remove any stubborn plaque or stains that may have accumulated between visits. Although these appointments should not replace regular visits with the dentist Soho, they are an integral part of overall dental wellbeing.