Believe it or not, many people are in the dark on the subject of dental hygiene. They brush their teeth twice a day, but they don't brush properly. They floss somewhat regularly, but they floss too aggressively.
We are all told how important brushing and flossing is when we are young, but do we really understand the full extent of their impact? Moreover, do we know what else we can do to improve our oral health?
In this blog post, we will be going over the fundamentals of dental hygiene, the little-known secrets, and some of the general public's most common blind spots on the subject. Before long, you'll know exactly how to take care of your teeth and gums at home.
If you have any questions over the course of your reading, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Suzanne Caudry and her dream team staff at (416) 928-3444.
Ins and Outs of Oral Hygiene
There is more to oral hygiene than simply brushing your teeth. While these are good practices to undertake, this is not the whole story. There is much more to proper, full-spectrum oral care than these at-home practices.
Deep Scaling Services
Chances are, you know someone who has undergone a deep scaling procedure. Deep scaling is a more intensive form of tooth and gum cleaning than what is commonly offered by dentists. In essence, deep scaling goes deeper. Rather than simply removing plaque from the teeth and gum line, your hygienist cleans in the pockets below the gum line between the teeth and gums. This allows us to remove any plaque and tartar that is hiding beneath the surface and causing unwanted inflammation.
We offer deep scaling at our facilities. We also offer anesthesia and sedation options to those who feel nervous about their scaling procedure.
Antibacterial Treatments
Periodontal hygienists aren't just interested in treating the surface of the teeth and gums. More than that, we aim to treat the harder-to-reach areas beneath the gum line where bacteria often hides, thereby preventing unwanted infections, periodontal disease, and more.
Fluoride Treatments
We all want to fight the fight against tooth decay and plaque buildup. With the help of custom fluoride treatments, this fight is all the more manageable. Fluoride treatments can also reduce tooth sensitivity.
Patient Education
Knowledge is power. The more you know about oral hygiene, the more confident you'll feel in the fight against plaque and tartar buildup. At our facilities, we strive to teach our patients the fundamentals of oral care and beyond.
More often than not, we find that our patients even benefit from tutorials on proper brushing and flossing. The simple truth is that many of us were not shown how to properly brush our teeth. By placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brushing in gentle, back-and-forth motions, you should be able to clean each tooth without irritating the gums. It is simple, but it is essential.
Your Oral Hygiene and Overall Health
We like to remind people that your oral hygiene is a window into your overall health. If hygienic troubles persist, it might be a sign that other issues are hiding out of sight. Periodontists like those at our facility can help you uncover, rectify, and monitor these issues with great care.
Not only that, but your poor oral hygiene can also be the cause of further health problems. Studies show that patients that live with periodontal disease (gum disease) are at greater risk of heart disease, and the chronic inflammation of the gums can even lead to inflammation elsewhere.
Some of the other health complications that can arise from unchecked oral trauma and improper hygiene include:
- Infective endocarditis
- Sepsis
- Bacterial pneumonia
- And more
Benefits of Proper Hygiene
There are some obvious benefits to proper oral care, but some lesser-known benefits are certainly worth mentioning. The foremost and most obvious of these benefits relate to the appearance of your teeth and gums. A healthy smile is a smile worth sharing with the world. You might take your healthy teeth and gums for granted, but there are many people who hide their inflamed gums and stained or decaying teeth behind their lips at all times.
At our facilities, we don't think anyone should be afraid of their smile. Everyone has a smile worth sharing-some of us just need a little professional care before we feel comfortable sharing it.
Early Detection of Oral Diseases
Regular and comprehensive oral care ensures you are monitoring your teeth and gums closely. If things look, feel, or smell slightly off, you might want to secure a session with your local dental hygienist. With any luck, you'll be able to stop any minor problems before they become major oral troubles.
Prevention of Tooth Loss
Tooth loss often stems from the buildup of plaque. Plaque can also lead to gum infection, which often goes hand in hand with tooth loss among adults. By investing in regular visits to the dentist and practicing proper oral care at home, you can fend off the accumulation of plaque without worry.
Whiter, Brighter Smiles
We all want our smiles to look their absolute best, don't we? The one simple thing you can do to bring out the best in your smile is brush, floss, and rinse regularly-and properly.
Don't Forget About the Checkups
One of the key components to any successful dental hygiene regimen is your choice of hygienist. It isn't enough to practice proper oral hygiene at home. To ensure your teeth, gums, and overall smile remain as healthy as possible, you need to invest in routine dental checkups.
Learn More About Hygiene Plans Now
Are you eager to learn more about the dental hygienic practices offered by Dr. Caudry and her staff? If so, we invite you to call (416) 928-3444 to schedule a visit. Together we can go over the services offered by our renowned hygiene department and whatever services you are most curious about. We cannot wait to hear from you.