From your very first visit to Hampton Beach Dentists, our team will spend time discussing your dental hygiene needs. We can then recommend the right products and develop a personal program to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life.
Our dental hygienists are here to help
The dental professionals at our practice who focus on dental hygiene will advise you on the latest techniques for caring for your teeth and gums and help you develop a daily routine to keep your oral health at the highest standards.
As well as check-ups with your dentist, where suitable, we recommend regular visits to one of our oral hygienists to guarantee your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible.
What does a hygienist do?
Our dental hygienists are essential members of our team. Our hygienists are highly trained dental professionals who provide:
- Basic scale and cleans (routine dental care)
- Deeper tooth cleaning (treatment of periodontal disease)
- X-rays
- Advice on best toothbrushes, toothpaste and other oral hygiene products to suit your specific needs.
Dental hygiene at home
There are many things that you can do yourself for a life-long healthy smile and great oral hygiene. Here are our recommendations:
- Brush your teeth twice a day, after breakfast and before going to bed.
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once a day.
- See your dentist for regular check-ups so that any early problems can be treated before major, expensive treatments are needed.
- Don’t snack before bedtime. Food left on the teeth overnight is more likely to cause cavities.
- Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar, especially soft drink, sweet cereal, desserts, and sticky foods
Why is oral hygiene important?
If you look after your oral hygiene you can help avoid problems such as:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Serious problems with your general health
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line that can also affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth if left untreated. There are three stages of gum disease — gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.
Gum disease can be painless, so it is important to keep an eye on symptoms such as bleeding or inflamed gums, bad breath, pain when chewing or loose teeth. Without regular visits to your dentist or hygienist, you may not know that you have gum disease until it’s in the more advanced stages. Once it is past the earliest stages, professional treatment from your dentist or hygienist is the only way to arrest gum disease.
Healthy mouth, healthy body
Did you know there is a link between good oral hygiene and your general health? Research has linked gum disease and other dental infections to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.
To get on top of your dental hygiene, please call our Hampton dental clinic on 03 9598 5666 to make an appointment.