Oral hygiene/dental hygiene means the overall maintenance of the mouth, gums and teeth. It includes daily maintenance at home as well as regular dental checkups and professional teeth-cleaning treatments. Just as it is important for you to brush and floss your teeth regularly, it is equally important that you get professional cleanings done from your dentist/dental hygienist. This is the best way of keeping your natural teeth for years to come.

The Oral Hygiene Process

Regardless of how religiously and meticulously you brush & floss every day, over time there will be a build-up of calculus on the teeth. As this calculus builds under the gum line, bacteria begin invading the area and can lead to a range of dental problems. Your dental hygienist will ensure that this calculus build-up is eliminated. This helps in maintaining optimum oral health.

Maintaining Oral Health

Dental hygienists are experts at scraping away all the hard plaque & in removing calculus deposits. They take x-rays for your dentist and the latter will check thoroughly for dental decay, tumors, cysts or changes in the bone-support of the teeth.

Once the hygienist has finished cleaning the teeth, your dentist will then examine your gums and teeth for any signs of gum disease or tooth decay. The American Dental Association recommends that patients should visit the dentist & dental hygienist 2 times every year. This goes a long way in promoting good oral health.