Dental Hygiene and Preventive Dental Care
The mouth is a sensitive area that needs particular care. We often consume products that we know are not very healthy for us but sometimes we forget that these products are also unhealthy for our teeth. From coffee and cigarette stains on the teeth to the sweet tooth products that cause decay in our teeth, dental hygiene and preventive dental care are crucial. Regardless of what we eat, we should always maintain a great dental hygiene routine. If we establish a good dental hygiene and preventive dental care routine as children, it will become second nature. In addition, this will be the same routine that we pass onto our children in order to keep the cycle of good dental hygiene and preventive dental care running.
Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene is your daily home oral hygiene routine, while preventive dental care is the oral hygiene routine performed by your licensed dentist. Dental hygiene that is performed daily will help keep your teeth healthy for decades. If this routine is not established, you may be on a lifelong journey of toothaches, cavities and gum disease. By having a great dental hygiene daily routine combined with professional preventive care; you will have an A+ in dental care and health.
What is Included in Dental Hygiene?
Many people think that brushing their teeth is sufficient dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth is an important step in good dental hygiene, but it is certainly not sufficient enough to keep your mouth healthy. In addition to brushing twice a day for a period of time long enough to get your teeth really clean, you must floss every day. Like I always say, only floss the teeth you want to keep. In addition, using fluoride toothpaste may help to strengthen your teeth and protect against cavities.
Preventive Dental Care
Your preventive dental care is performed at your dentist’s office. Your oral hygiene checkup should be every three to six months, depending on your periodontal health. Your dental hygienist will perform an extensive cleaning which will reach every corner of your mouth and your dentist will be able to advise you where you may need to give special attention to during your home dental hygiene routine. Your dentist’s office will perform the normal tooth polishing, but will also remove plaque or tartar from your teeth, take x-rays in order to determine if there are any problems and perform a total examination of your mouth and teeth.
Why are Dental Hygiene and Preventive Dental Care Important?
Dental hygiene and preventive dental care are important because they help keep your teeth and gums healthy. With improper or a lack of dental hygiene and preventive dental care you will inevitably suffer from toothaches, cavities and periodontal disease. Left untreated, these conditions can worsen. If this happens, more extensive procedures such as root canals, tooth extractions, crowns, bridges or dentures may be necessary. No matter your age, regular visits to the dentist are imperative to maintain good oral health.
Dr. Kelaher