At Springfield Dental we know how important it is to look after the gums and soft tissues of the mouth as well as the teeth.
You cannot build a house on unstable foundations, and the same is true for dental work. The two main causes of tooth loss are tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. With good dental hygiene and regular professional teeth cleanings from a hygienist, these types of conditions can often be prevented to help ensure that your gums are in good health which is essential for restorative dental treatments.
Our skilled team of dental hygienists are able to provide routine and deep cleaning services at the prescription of your dentist. When you attend for a check-up, your dentist will be able to advise as to whether you would benefit from a hygiene appointment and how frequently you should attend. Please remember that seeing one of our hygienists is not a substitute for a regular dental check-up.
Signs of Poor Oral Hygiene
It can be fear, embarrassment or even a phobia of the dentist that prevent patients from attending regular check-ups, but when the signs and symptoms of poor oral hygiene begin to show it is important to seek help to resolve the issue and prevent an undesirable outcome.
Some of the signs of poor oral hygiene can include;
- Bad breath
- Swollen and sore gums
- Bleeding gums when brushing and eating
- Visible build-up of plaque and tartar on the mouth
- Stained teeth
- Stained and furry tongue
- Loose teeth
- Receding gums
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tooth decay
- Infections and dental abscesses
By attending regular visits with one of our expert dental hygienists we can help to provide oral hygiene advice and professional cleaning to avoid these types of symptoms from developing.
Do I Really Need to See a Dental Hygienist?
Hygienist treatment can sometimes be misunderstood by patients who view them as an ‘unnecessary extra’ or additional money they’d rather not spend. However, these simple and inexpensive appointments can be the vital difference between having healthy gums and teeth and having to undergo preventable and costly treatments in the future.
How to Brush Your Teeth Properly
As your dentist, we can’t be there every day to brush your teeth for you and ensure you are taking care of your oral health as you should be – that part is down to you. When you are brushing your teeth it is important to remember that there are five surfaces to every tooth;
- Outer surfaces
- Inner surfaces
- Chewing surfaces
- 2x interdental surfaces
Make sure that you are thorough and that you clean all of these surfaces every time you brush.
We recommend an electric or manual toothbrush combined with a fluoride toothpaste as well as interdental cleaning products such as – interdental brushes, floss, water flossers or floss sticks. When used consistently with the correct technique, these will help you to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent unwanted dental issues.
Benefits of Dental Hygienist Appointments
Poor oral hygiene has been linked to several serious illnesses with associated medical and dental issues including – bone loss, cardiovascular disease, strokes and cancers. Professional dental cleanings can have a positive impact on your oral and general health and help to identify potential problems early so they can be treated and dealt with effectively.
Here are seven reasons how you can benefit from regular visits to a dental hygienist;
Gum Health – Gum disease can affect people of all ages with NHS figures suggesting that over 50% of 35-year-olds suffer from gum issues of varying forms. The early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis is reversible however the later form of gum disease is not. Your dental hygienist can help to ensure that your gums remain in optimum health and get a head start on any potential issues before they get a chance to take hold.
Bad Breath – The type of bacteria that is responsible for bad breath or halitosis is often found hiding in areas under the gum line which are easily missed by conventional brushing, even by the most diligent patients. However, a hygienist will be able to use the professional dental tools at their disposal to help remove these well-hidden breath bacteria for good.
A Brighter, Wider Smile – Nobody should feel self-conscious about their smile and a hygienist clean can help to remove stains, plaque, discolouration and tartar build up to create a brighter smile that you will want to show off.
Smart Investment – There are few better investments in your health than spending on hygiene appointments and appropriate oral health products to avoid problems further down the line. Hygienists are able to spot the very early signs of potential dental issues and help stop them in their tracks which can save you painful and expensive treatments at a later date.
Oral Hygiene Advice
If you are keen to improve your current oral health and create a more efficient dental hygiene routine at home, then take a look at some useful videos we have found to properly illustrate how you can make the most of your time spent cleaning your teeth.
Cleaning with a manual toothbrush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXFgTPsQS8Y
Cleaning with an electric toothbrush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUXAivWbnOw
Interdental cleaning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LC7YKwJEqQ
Flossing
How to treat bleeding gums at home