Why Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned
Although you may clean your teeth twice a day, floss and even invest in an electric toothbrush. You may have even mastered the habit of spitting out your toothpaste but not rinsing it away with water, it’s important to do this as this keeps the fluoride in the toothpaste on your teeth for longer.
You may think if you’ve cleaned your teeth properly, then why would I need to get my teeth cleaned professionally? There are actually a number of beneficial reasons to go and have your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist on a regular basis, even if your oral hygiene is on point.
Plaque and Tartar Build-Up
No matter how well you clean your teeth at home, over time there is almost certain to be some degree of plaque and tartar build up from the natural bacteria and minerals in your saliva.
Staying on top of your oral hygiene 24/7 can be impossible no matter how good your intentions are, a great home hygiene routine will help to keep any issues at bay. However once plaque hardens to the dental calcium (tartar) it cannot be removed without professional cleaning and if left untreated it can eat away at your teeth leaving them susceptible to other dental issues.
Job Well Done
It can be tricky to see into all corners of our own mouth, brushing at home allows you to be sure that the front of your teeth look good, but less certain about the state of your molars or the back of your teeth. These areas often need more attention as they are close to the salivary glands and are more likely to get a build-up of plaque.
It’s especially important if you have undergone dental treatment, as you may need a more thorough clean. Plaque can build up behind fixed metal retainers following orthodontic treatment, and implants need to be very well cleaned to prevent infection.
Pain Free Cleaning
Many appointments with hygienists are relatively quick and made to be as comfortable as possible. The initial treatment is carried out using the latest technology in dental hygiene, by using an Airflow device the combination of water and fine powder can remove surface stains and early tartar. The clean is more effective and focused than anything that is achievable at home, but still gentle.
Boost Your Confidence
There are a number of immediate benefits of having your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist can give you that little confidence boost you may need prior to a party, an interview or just as a treat. After a professional clean your teeth will feel cleaner, your smile will be brighter and your breath will be fresher. Stain removal can usually be achieved in just one appointment.
By booking an appointment with a hygienist you can maintain a whiter smile after a teeth whitening treatment and most definitely recommended before starting your teeth whitening journey.
Prevent Gum Disease
There are a number of concerning statistics in regards to gum disease, many adults will have some degree of gum disease at some point in their life. This is usually an early stage of gingivitis. There is likely to be some swelling of the gums, potentially bleeding on brushing and often bad breath.
If left untreated gingivitis can progress to the more aggressive periodontitis, a far more serious condition whereby the bone is gradually eroded and teeth can become weak, loose and even fall out. Periodontitis can also be linked to a number of other conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, problems in pregnancy and potentially cancer.
Gum disease is usually caused by a build-up of bacteria, regular professional appointments with a hygienist can help remove the deposits that create the environment that can lead to gum disease. It is true to say that regular, short appointments for professional cleaning can help to prevent the onset of far bigger future concerns.
Spot Other Issues
By having a hygienist appointment they can spot other issues that may need further investigation. Oral lesions and suspect areas can be left unnoticed or ignored at home but addressing them during these appointments may help to prevent a seemingly small issue growing into something more serious.
A BPE (basic periodontal examination) and plaque score is taken during each hygiene appointment to monitor gum disease and ensure that healthy gums are maintained.
Recommended Products
With a number of dental products in the shops and online, it’s often difficult to make the right decision as to which products you should opt for. Choosing the right oral hygiene aids for your specific dental health is just as important as choosing skincare that suits your skin. A hygienist gets to know your oral health and can recommend the best toothbrushes, toothpastes, interdental brushes and more to suit your needs. We even weigh up manual vs electric toothbrushes to help decide which is best.
There are a number of dental surgery’s that offer complete dental hygienist treatments, that are all performed by skilled and passionate professionals. If you think seeing an oral hygienist would benefit your oral health be sure to book an appointment with your nearest dental surgery.