Here at The Dental Clinic we offer patients dental hygiene treatments such as The Classic clean, The Gleam clean and Periodontal Therapy. Oral health is the foundation of any dental treatment we provide and we aim to have all our patients with happy and healthy gums and teeth for life.
Here are four reasons our hygienists Tracy and Vjosa want you to reach for your toothbrush and get those pearly whites cleaner than clean:
1. The Plaque Attack
We all know that foods containing sugar and starch are bad for our teeth but do you know why? Our teeth and gums are at constant threat from plaque, which is bacteria that forms on the teeth in a sticky film. When this bacteria comes into contact with these types of foods it produces acid, which attacks the enamel of the teeth. With constant exposure to sugar and starch the teeth will be under a high amount of acid attack and that is when we can suffer from cavities.
2. Fluoride
Plaque doesn’t just cause problems for our teeth. If it isn’t removed from the gums it becomes an irritant causing swelling and the gums can begin to detach from the teeth creating ‘pockets’. These can become infected leading to destruction of the supporting bone and causing tooth loss.
You may already know that fluoride can be found in most toothpaste but do you know why we use it? When the teeth come under acid attack the decay process is called demineralisation and fluoride can help to remineralise the teeth. That is, replace the minerals that are lost during an acid attack. Children under the age of three should use toothpaste with a fluoride level of 1,000ppm, above this age and into adulthood they can move up to levels of 1,350-1,500ppm.
3. Get in-between
Toothbrush and toothpaste, check. But, what about the spaces in between your teeth? It is important to clean here too, because food and bacteria can become trapped in these tiny spaces leading to plaque build-up and subsequent acid attack. Flossing can help to combat this but there are also tiny brushes that can be used as well, called interdental brushes. Our hygienists Tracy and Vjosa will advise you on the size you need and the best way to use them in order to remove the plaque. As with flossing, you may notice a slight amount of bleeding after the first few uses but this should reduce as your gums become healthier.
4. Overall Health
The mouth has been hailed in recent times as the window to overall health. This is because how clean and healthy your teeth and gums are can have a more wide-reaching effect than you might realise. Gum disease, or periodontitis, has been linked with heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and premature or low birth weight babies.
Our team members Tracy and Vjosa have trained and qualified to gain the Certificate of proficiency in Dental Hygiene and the BSc degree in Oral Health Science – Hygiene and Therapy to deliver oral hygiene treatment to a high standard at The Dental Clinic.
If you would like to have your teeth professionally cleaned, be sure to book an appointment with us today. Drop into the practice at The Dental Clinic, 359 Watling Street, Radlett, Herts, WD7 7LB or call us on 01923 859678.
