Home Care:

What is a Hygienist?

Dental Hygienists are specially trained members of our dental team who work together with your dentist to provide fully intergrated dental care. They play an important role in your oral health by providing individualised preventive treatment and demonstrating correct home care to prevent gum disease and tooth wear..

To keep teeth healthy strong and free from disease it is vital that some form of at- home dental care is practiced daily. With busy lives many people place dental hygiene at the bottom of the list, which will only guarantee more dental visits in the long run. An at home dental hygiene routine need only take around 10 to 15 minutes per day, and by sticking to a short, daily routine you will prevent tooth decay and infection.

Brushing your teeth properly:

This is the most important part of at home dental hygiene; daily brushing of the teeth. The importance of brushing teeth should be ingrained in children from a very early age. Regular brushing removes the bacteria and plaque that causes tooth decay and gum infection. Make sure you choose a toothbrush that is right for you; both in handle grip and bristle texture. Soft bristle brushes are recommended as the hard bristles can cut gums, and always change your toothbrush at least every three months.

Flossing:

Flossing is a much over looked part of at home dental hygiene. The act of flossing every day is important to remove food that the toothbrush cannot reach. When food becomes lodged between teeth it will start to deteriorate rapidly, and the bacteria will cause plaque to form that can then lead to gum disease.

If you find the act of flossing a chore, try doing it while watching television before going to bed; just one flossing per day will mean that plaque does not get a chance to harden on the teeth. Make sure that you floss both sides of every tooth and pay particular attention to the back molars where food is easily trapped. Always brush your teeth after you have flossed as this is the most effective routine to keep plaque at bay.