ORAL HYGIENE
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one’s mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene) and cleaning between the teeth.
It is important that oral hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to enable prevention of dental disease and bad breath (halitosis).
The most common types of dental disease are gum diseases, including gingivitis, and periodontitis and tooth decay (cavities\dental caries)
What do you need to do to prevent these diseases?
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride. Some people opt not to use fluoride toothpaste and instead opt for a fluoride-free toothpaste. Bear in mind that this is acceptable but it has to be followed by a balanced healthy diet with minimum sugar intake.
- Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth and in fact can traumatize the gums causing ulcers and discomfort.
- Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner to reach the areas between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove the sticky film on teeth called plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit in between meals and snacks.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings every 6 months .
Scaling and root planning : is a deep cleaning below the gumline used to treat more severe gum disease.
Why Do I Need It?
Gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Plaque is always forming on your teeth, but if they aren’t cleaned well, the bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become inflamed. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called pockets. Plaque then gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing. If untreated, gum disease could lead to bone and tooth loss.
If gum disease is caught early and hasn’t damaged the structures below the gum line, a professional cleaning should be sufficient. If the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, however, scaling and root planing may be needed.