Dental Hygiene Guide

Dental hygiene is best defined as a process through which preventative dental care can help maintain oral health and prevent dental emergencies. Dental hygiene involves self-responsibility with regular brushing/flossing, as well as professional care. While at-home dental hygiene is important, it is not always enough to keep dental infections and decay at bay. Here are a few of the different aspects of dental hygiene and the importance.

Dental Hygiene: The At-home Element

The primary component of dental hygiene is at-home dental care that the patient performs by him or herself. At-home dental care centers on regular flossing and brushing. Such daily maintenance is essential for truly effective preventive oral care. While tooth brushing is a critically important aspect of oral health, it will not eliminate tartar and plaque on its own. A professional dentist will be the only one who can remove plaque and tartar that builds up over several months.

The Professional Aspect of Dental Hygiene

One's at-home dental hygiene regimen is supplemented with dental care provided by a dentist and dental hygienists. These professionals have the specialized tools and refined approaches necessary to eliminate plaque and tartar. It is crucial to remove plaque and tartar from teeth to decrease the chances of cavities, gum disease, toothaches and the loss of teeth. If one leaves these symptoms untreated and these symptoms move beneath the gum line, bacteria have the potential to invade and spur additional oral health problems.

The sites below the teeth and gum line require regular professional maintenance from dentists. People cannot spot most oral health risks in the early stages without the expert eye of a dental professional providing a thorough analysis. Professional dental care also decreases the chances of a root canal, dental bridges, crowns and tooth extraction to boot. It is undoubtedly an essential component of dental hygiene.

Dental Hygiene: What Happens in the Dentist’s Office

Schedule an appointment with the dentist who can clean your teeth in a thorough manner. A dental hygienist will scrape away hardened plaque known as tartar. This treatment and analysis will eliminate calculus deposits, pinpoint alterations in one's bite and analyze issues relating to the bone. The professional will also take X-rays of the teeth.

The dentist works with the dental hygienist to further analyze the teeth, gums, tongue and other portions of the mouth. Through these examinations, the professionals will find the appropriate treatment for gum disease and tooth decay to ensure optimal dental hygiene.

Take Dental Hygiene Seriously

Consistent at-home care combined with regular visits to the dentist are essential for proper dental hygiene. So do not skip a single dental visit and do not make any excuses to avoid brushing or flossing every single day. These visits are essential for patients of all ages. Be sure to visit your dentist at least two times per year at a bare minimum to maintain optimal dental hygiene.