Our Dental Hygienist help keep your teeth and gums healthy by a thorough cleaning. He will also provide expert advice on your daily cleaning routine at home, a crucial part of your oral health care. Regular visits with the hygienist will ensure that hidden and difficult to reach plaque (soft deposits) and tartar (hard deposits) is removed from your teeth.
Gum health
Bad breath is a very common problem and there are many different causes. Persistent bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth and gums. Smoking is also one of the main causes of bad breath, along with certain illnesses such as nasal and stomach conditions.
Bits of food that get caught between the teeth and on the tongue will rot and can sometimes cause an unpleasant smell. So correct and regular brushing is very important to keep your breath smelling fresh.
The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause gum disease and dental decay. If you see your dentist regularly this will not only help prevent bad breath but will also let the dentist look for and treat these problems.
Gum disease
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Gingivitis is reversible but means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse, the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may become mobile and need to be extracted.
All gum diseases are caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and interdental cleaning.
Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly so that you do not notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active, making your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over several years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more complex and may need to be extracted.
When you clean your teeth, the first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the sink. Your gums may also bleed when you eat, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.
Our dental hygienist will be happy to provide specific advice on the following:
- Oral disease and prevention of gum disease.
- Nutrition.
- Use of fluoride, anti-bacterial and new dental care materials.
- Tooth Whitening.
- Smoking cessation.
Book now for a Comprehensive Gum Assessment with a Dentist or directly with the Dental Hygienist.
