Importance of good oral health

Importance of good oral health

04/05/2021

It is important that you visit your dentist at least twice a year to help maintain good oral health. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for overall well-being and it is important to have a good oral hygiene routine at home. Effective brushing along with flossing twice a day will help keep your teeth clean and healthy but it is important to have this checked by your dentist to ensure that your home dental care is sufficient and effective enough for you. Regular check-ups with the dentist are an important method of preventive therapy as the dentist can check for signs of dental issues before they fully present themselves as some problems can be asymptomatic. If your teeth are clean and healthy then the dentist may recommend a clean and polish in Burnham to enhance the effects of your home oral hygiene routine, maintain the health of your teeth and gums and help prevent issues in the future.

Effects of plaque and tartar

Despite excellent home brushing and flossing techniques, plaque and tartar can build up over time and may only be removed professionally by your dentist. Regular check-ups with the dentist will make it easier to keep your teeth clean and will also prevent too much plaque or tartar build-up which may otherwise be detrimental to your teeth and gums. Plaque is the sticky transparent film that is always forming on the surface of the teeth and if it is not removed effectively by good oral hygiene routines and left untreated then it hardens over time and becomes tartar. Tartar provides an ideal surface for further plaque build-up. Bacteria are able to flourish in the plaque and they secrete acids which result in many other dental issues beginning with bad breath, gum problems such as receding gums and gingivitis, as well as tooth decay. Gingivitis is infection and inflammation of the gum which leads to periodontal disease, a severe infection of the gums and can result in tooth loss. Despite regular brushing and flossing at home, once tartar has built up it cannot be removed at home as it bonds strongly to the tooth, therefore regular appointments with your dentist or hygienist for a clean and polish in Burnham are necessary to remove any build-up present and to prevent such issues.

What is a Clean & Polish

A clean and polish in Burnham is required when the dentist finds that either plaque is not being removed effectively enough by home brushing or if the dentist can detect tartar build-up on the teeth. A clean and polish is effectively a professional cleaning of your teeth. An ultrasonic device is used to remove plaque and tartar from around the gum line at the front and back of the teeth which is not possible at home using your toothbrush. Any remaining deposits of tartar can be removed using handheld devices if required, and the treatment is completed by a polishing of your teeth which helps remove any stains or imperfections which may have occurred due to the build-up of the plaque or tartar. According to the condition of your gums and teeth, the dentist will recommend how often a clean and polish in Burnham is necessary for you.