Preventative
Hygiene Programmes
There are times when patients do have problems with their gums that may require one of our periodontitis or gingivitis programmes. These are designed so that the hygienist has the time to clean your teeth thoroughly and to discuss brushing and flossing techniques. She may recommend various brushes or mouthwashes.
By working with you, the hygienist and dentist can really make a difference to those who are susceptible to gum problems.
Cleaning your gums and teeth
Cleaning your teeth and gums effectively is the best way to avoid bad breath (halitosis). The result is added confidence, whether at work or in your social life.
Diet
What we eat and most importantly when we eat it affects what is going on in our mouth. The dentist and hygienist will take the time to discuss this with you and may ask you to fill in a diet sheet to advise you what would help you.
Decay and gum disease start when you’re young and can plague you for the rest of your life. However, if you show your children how to keep your mouths fresh and healthy, they can expect to have their teeth for life. With the right information and help, children can avoid having any fillings.
Once children reach a certain point in their development your dentist will recommend regular hygiene appointments. This is a valuable investment in your children’s health.
The hygienist will show your children how to brush and floss their teeth, and will explain what effect diet has on their teeth. Their progress is monitored appointment to appointment.
Children’s hygiene
From the age of 6 years old children develop their adult teeth, it is vital to learn good habits from this age. The existing baby teeth need to be looked after to protect the health and final positions of the growing adult teeth, which will be with them for life.
Our childrens hygiene programme is designed to:
- Customise an oral hygiene care plan for your child, which will adapt and grow as they do.
- Protect the baby teeth until the time is right for them to go, allowing the adult teeth the best chance of growing in the correct way.
- Remove the odour and decay causing plaque and bacteria from the mouth.
- Introduce them to healthy habits and the hygienist from a young age.
Fluoride and fissure sealants
Children can now avoid having fillings. These treatments can both strengthen and protect your children’s teeth so that it is harder for decay to attack the teeth. Your dentist will discuss these with you as needed.
Fissure sealants work by bonding a plastic coating to biting surfaces at the back of your mouth so it is harder for decay to attack these teeth. The back teeth (molars) are those which are used for chewing and fissure sealing can really help keep them for life.
Whilst your dentist will discuss it with you, there is no doubt that fluoride treatment helps to strengthen teeth so that they are more resistant to tooth decay. This is a routine treatment which takes place every six months when your child sees the hygienist.
Orthodontics gum care
The hygienist should see all children who are having orthodontic treatment. It is important that whilst treatment is ongoing that the teeth are kept clean and gums are healthy.
The hygienist can make sure that there is no decay whilst the braces are on.
