In 2020, our patients’ oral hygiene will continue to be our top priority. If it hasn’t been yours before, the year of perfect vision might be the one to finally change that!
What Do We Do for Your Oral Hygiene?
Our dental hygienists, who help dentists take care of patients’ oral health, are registered with a regulatory body or dental association. Before completing written and clinical examinations, these professionals must have a Bachelor’s Degree or an Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene. After they are registered, they provide primary healthcare services. They assist dentists or work independently in the field of general dentistry. They receive education and training focusing on oral disease prevention and treatment.
Our staff evaluates patients' conditions and provide specific educational and preventive services to maintain their good oral hygiene. Performing what is known as periodontal therapy plays a major role in their work. This includes scaling, periodontal charting, disease prevention, and periodontal maintenance procedures.
Help Control Oral Disease
Our dentists and other staff apply therapeutic methods to help people control oral disease. Treatment plans are focused on the role behavioral changes play. Dental hygienists may have a license to perform dental radiography and administer local anesthesia. These professionals are our primary resource for screening and prevention of oral cancer.
For instance, they apply dental sealants, provide specific dental hygiene instructions, and administer topical fluoride.
We Help You Help Yourself
Our patients do a big part of their preventive care at home. It is critical to brush your teeth with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily. We recommend flossing every day to make sure gums are healthy and debris and food particles don’t get stuck in the spaces between your teeth.
To keep your teeth healthy, you need to keep a healthy diet. Stick to protein, vegetables, and fruit as well as whole grains. Avoid eating sweets excessively. After a meal, brush your teeth whenever possible to remove food particles. These can cause cavities.
Maintenance 101
To maintain good oral health, most of our patients see us twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups. This helps make sure there aren’t any problems lurking in the shadows.
Good oral hygiene goes beyond taking preventive care of your teeth. You also need to take care of your gums. You’re not immune to gum disease even if you’re cavity-free and have beautiful pearly whites.
Gum disease begins to develop when plaque builds up along and under the gum line. Plaque is a sticky substance that attracts bacteria. It can cause tooth decay and gum disease because it leads to infections that hurt the gum and bone. The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, which makes gums inflamed and tender. They can also become red, swollen, and likely to bleed. The damage is reversible at this point.
The more advanced stage is periodontitis. This affects the bones that hold the teeth and could destroy the gums, tissue, and bones connected to your teeth. The last stage, advanced periodontitis, usually involves removing teeth. Signs of gum disease according to the American Dental Association (ADA) include loose or separating teeth, constant bad breath, and gums that are red, swollen, tender or bleed easily.
To sum up, poor oral hygiene has been linked to eating disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Valley Dental Care can help you protect your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.