The role of the dentist in good oral health

The role of the dentist in good oral health

06/05/2021

Regular appointments with your dentist are important in maintaining good oral health. Preventive therapy is a major field of dentistry and is involved in looking after your teeth to keep them healthy and prevent the development of dental problems later on in life. It is recommended that you should visit your dentist at least twice a year as a preventive method of looking after your oral health and a follow-up appointment with the hygienist will enhance the effects of this. It will help identify problems early on, making them easier to treat, more successfully manage, and also help prevent possible damage to surrounding healthy teeth. As part of your appointment, the dentist may often carry out a clean and polish in Burnham to help look after your teeth further. Speak to us today to find out how a clean and polish can be beneficial to you.

Clean & Polish at the dentist

A clean and polish can be carried out by your dentist or may be done by your hygienist. Clean and Polish in Burnham plays an important role in preventive dentistry and includes a thorough examination of your teeth and a full professional clean using scaling and polishing techniques, at a standard which is not possible at home using your ordinary toothbrush and floss, to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. When bacteria in your mouth get hold of sugary or starchy substances from your food it results in the formation of plaque. Plaque becomes a sticky transparent film that forms over the surface of the front and back of your teeth and may not always be fully removed by home brushing despite how effective your toothbrush may be. You may not always be able to clean the hard to reach areas and if plaque is not removed effectively enough or if it is left untreated it hardens over time, especially on the gum line of the back of your teeth, and becomes tartar. The buildup of tartar results in further plaque build-up and the bacteria in the plaque secrete acids which destroy the tooth enamel and result in dental issues. These issues include bad breath, receding gums, cavities, tooth decay, gingivitis and eventually periodontitis which can result in tooth loss. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing at home and requires professional cleaning which is carried out in a clean and polish in Burnham. Ultrasound devices are used by the dentist or hygienist to remove the majority of the tartar and any remaining tartar deposits are cleaned using handheld instruments. The teeth are then polished to get rid of any staining or imperfections which are possible to do so and leave your teeth shiny and white.

Importance of Clean & Polish for healthy teeth

Plaque and tartar result in periodontal diseases such as gingivitis. Gingivitis is an infection and inflammation of the gums and if it is left untreated it can result in periodontitis which is the inflammation and infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. This can result in tooth loss. Regular visits with your dentist and regular clean and polish in Burnham can help prevent such diseases by removing plaque and tartar build-up before it becomes too severe.