Dental Hygiene

Practising good oral hygiene is essential to maintaining a healthy mouth. Poor dental hygiene habits can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and eventually tooth loss.

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Here at Precision Dental Clinic we understand the importance of dental hygiene therefore we have a designated dental hygienist to educate our patients with preventative dental care and methods.

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What dental hygiene treatments are available?

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Dental hygiene treatment can be interpreted in 2 different ways, on a superficial level and a health level – there is a gulf of difference and it is often confusing for patients if it is not communicated to patients effectively. We ensure that all our treatments are explained to our patients

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Superficial cleaning is the removal of plaque, bacteria and staining from the outer surface of the tooth and anything above the gum level. This technique of cleaning keeps your breath feeling fresh and teeth looking healthy.

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Scaling is a cleaning of the teeth the removes plaque build-up. It is a thorough cleaning of the mouth that should be completed on a routine basis to maintain gum health and prevent gum disease.

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Stain removal and polish is a cosmetic cleaning procedure that we use to improve the colour and appearance of the teeth, it removes all tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco stains from the surface and in between the teeth. You could also consider teeth whitening to improve the colour of your teeth.

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Dental health hygiene or ‘periodontal treatment’ is specific to the health of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, patients with gum disease require this technique of cleaning to control and stabilise the condition from worsening.
 

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What are the signs of gum disease

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• Recession of the gum line

• Bone loss

• Red inflamed gums ‘gingivitis’

• Bad breath

• Loose teeth

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What causes gum disease

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• Poor oral hygiene

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Weakened immune system

• Genetics

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If a patient is diagnosed with periodontal disease then the level of care and maintenance needs to be improved, periodontal disease can either be localised to a specific area of the mouth or generalised throughout.

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At every dental examination the gum levels are measured and recorded so that we have a consistent history of your gum health therefore we can try and control the problem and give you the appropriate treatment and advice. When treating gum disease intensive root surface cleaning is required to removal plaque and bacteria underneath the gum line, the treatment is normally performed under local anaesthetic. Depending on the severity of the condition the clinical team will advise you with proactive measures you can do yourself and set a regular maintenance specific to your requirements.

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Unfortunately, periodontal disease cannot be cured only controlled to a certain degree. Periodontal disease is a gradual process and can take a number of years to show its effects however we can try to treat the problem with surgical techniques.