We all know that keeping our teeth clean is important, but you might not be aware that just cleaning and even flossing at home isn’t enough to keep your teeth and gums truly clean and healthy. Regular visits with our hygienist in Richmond can keep your teeth and gums clean and prevent bad breath and gum disease.
Periodontal disease and how to avoid it
One role of our hygienist in Richmond is to make sure our patients don’t contract gingivitis and periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Periodontal disease can be hard to detect, as it often doesn’t have any obvious symptoms such as pain. Over time though, this disease can lead to problems including bad breath, staining and early loss of teeth. Regular visits with our hygienist can prevent periodontal disease and the associated problems.
Gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums, usually precedes periodontal disease and can be an early warning sign. It is caused by bacteria, which is in turn caused by plaque build-up. Our hygienist in Richmond will give your teeth a thorough clean, using special tools that are more advanced than your home toothbrush, and getting to the hard to reach areas that often get missed, leading to a build-up of plaque and calculus.
Follow your hygienist’s advice for healthy teeth and gums
Our hygienist in Richmond will also give you advice on implementing a good oral hygiene routine at home, as well as lifestyle changing such as stopping smoking and altering your diet. The things you eat and drink can have a big impact on your oral health, and our hygienist can talk you through small changes that can help keep your teeth healthier.
Hygienists can help patients of all ages
We recommend that both children and adults keep up regular visits with our hygienist in Richmond. It is important to get in the habit of looking after your teeth early, as the techniques and habits we learn as children will stay with us through adult life. The hygienist can give advice on brushing and flossing techniques, and they can use a special dye that highlights plaque build-up, so you can see areas that are being missed in day to day brushing.