The importance of Dental Hygiene beyond brushing and flossing and why regular visits to a dentist near you can help stop serious health problems from emerging.

Dental hygiene is one of the most important ways you can keep yourself healthy. Maintaining your teeth in good condition is not only about looking good but also about preventing future health problems. Dental hygiene helps you prevent possible problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and secondary effects affecting other parts of your body, such as your heart.

In this blog, we will discuss the importance of dental hygiene, the various deep cleaning procedures that can help you maintain good dental hygiene, and why visiting your Family Dentist regularly is a wise decision.

Why is Dental Hygiene Important?

Within your mouth, not taking care of your dental hygiene can lead to diverse types of infections such as cavities or gum disease, which can then lead to tooth loss. These issues can, at their best, cause bad breath (which is annoying to other people around you) and, at their worse, can be very painful, making it difficult for you to eat and sleep.

Many people do not realize this, but poor dental hygiene can also be bad for your overall health and affect your heart, lead to diabetes or arthritis, or even cause a high-risk pregnancy, among other health problems.

Having stated the above, the following are a few reasons why dental hygiene is essential:

- Good Dental Hygiene keeps your gums and teeth happy and healthy

Genetics plays a significant role in whether you get cavities or not. However, regular brushing and dental care prevents cavities from happening and can keep your gums and teeth happy and healthy. You can remove the plaque that causes tooth decay by regularly brushing your teeth and flossing with dental floss or gum picks. Stubborn plaque deposits which cannot be removed by regular brushing and flossing can be removed by your Family Dentist with specialized equipment.

• You can prevent tooth loss

Even in the 21st century, tooth loss is widespread amongst children and adults. Poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth loss as plaque buildup can cause tooth decay or gum infection. By regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, you can reduce the plaque buildup, which can help you prevent tooth loss. However, to ensure you won't be losing any teeth any time soon, make sure to book a visit to your dentist.

• Regular visits to the dentist lead to early disease detection

Regular visits to your dentist are essential if you want to maintain good dental hygiene! It is best if you visit your dentist every six months as he/she can detect any possible cavities, diseases, and infections early. Through this regular examination by a trained eye, the dentist can slow down the progress of various problems and diseases such as: Gingivitis

• Periodontitis which can cause wiggly or shaky teeth
• Tooth grinding which leads to eventual tooth loss
• Oral cancer
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Acid reflux
• Onset of Diabetes
• Onset of Heart problems related to poor oral health
• Dementia
• Osteoporosis

Believe it or not, a lot can be diagnosed by the state of your oral health!

Different Types of Deep Cleaning Procedures which your Family Dentist can use to Help you Maintain Good Dental Hygiene

When you visit your dentist, he/she might suggest a deep cleaning procedure for your teeth to ensure good dental hygiene. Following is a list of various deep cleaning procedures – apart from brushing and flossing – that can help you maintain good dental hygiene:

• Ultrasound cleaning

This deep cleaning dental procedure is a technique that uses high-frequency waves without damaging the tooth enamel. The ultrasound device combines vibrations and a stream of pressurized water that kills the bacteria and removes calcifications.

• Plaque and tartar removal

Dentists can remove plaque and tartar during some of your regular visits to them. The dentist uses a hand-held metal scaler which scrapes away any tartar. However, if you have excessive tartar, the dentist will recommend scaling and root planing for you.

The dentist removes plaque and tartar from both above and below the gumline. He/she then smooths out the roots of teeth to encourage reattachment of the gum to the tooth. Furthermore, the dentist might even use a laser to kill bacteria deep within a gum pocket.

• Teeth polishing

Teeth polishing is done to smooth out the surfaces of the teeth and restorations. It removes extrinsic stains, plaque accumulation, enhances aesthetics, and reduces the corrosion of metallic restorations. The dentist inspects your teeth for decay and weak spots in the enamel. He/she then scrapes the plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, which is followed by buffing your teeth and polishing them to remove any staining. Lastly, the teeth are flossed and coated with a protective layer of fluoride.

• Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing is an invasive teeth cleaning procedure that ensures deep cleaning of the teeth' gums, gum line, and supporting structures. This procedure is recommended for patients who are suffering from gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis.

Furthermore, scaling and root can take multiple dental visits to complete as it involves smoothing out the tooth root's surface and removing the existing tartar and plaque.

Conclusion

Maintaining good dental hygiene is essential, as it does not only affect your mouth, but poor dental hygiene can lead to other diseases and poor overall health. Regularly visiting your dentist – every six months – can help ensure good dental hygiene and ensure that you keep your mouth free from any diseases and infections.

At Woodshore Family Dentistry, you can find various dental treatments and an experienced team to help you maintain your dental hygiene. Visit our website now and book an appointment with the best dentists in Texas!

"Woodshore Family Dentistry is privately owned by Dr. Vishal Pattni and Dr. Saumeen Desai. Both doctors have extensive experience in improving and customizing smiles. Please call the office at 979-341-9890 for a free consultation and smile evaluation."