Schedule
Appointment
Oral Hygiene/Cleaning
Oral hygiene and cleanings are vital to your overall health and well-being. It is the practice of keeping your teeth free from tooth decay and your other oral structures free from infection. Oral care includes regular brushing and flossing, dental exams, and cleanings at least twice a year to ensure good oral hygiene. At Kennedy Heights Dental Centre, we perform dental check-ups and cleanings to keep our patient's oral health in peak condition.
What is Oral Hygiene/Cleaning?
The term "Oral Hygiene" refers to the routine care that is done to keep your mouth healthy. This includes brushing your teeth, flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and visiting your dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings. All of these activities help to remove bacteria and plaque from the teeth and gums. These harmful bacteria and plaque can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not taken care of. Poor oral hygiene can also cause bad breath. Regular visits to the dentist can help prevent these problems from happening or getting worse over time.
When cleaning your teeth and gums at home, it is important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush in order to clean the surfaces of the teeth without damaging gum tissue. It is also important to brush your tongue to remove any bacteria that can cause bad breath. Flossing should be done once a day to clean in between the teeth and remove pieces of food that may get stuck between the teeth. Flossing also helps to prevent gingivitis by removing debris from below the gum line that can lead to an infection of the gums. Mouthwash should be used after brushing and flossing to help remove any additional plaque and debris that was not removed during these activities. Mouthwashes also help to reduce the bacterial count that causes bad breath.
It is best to visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular cleaning and check-up. Your dentist will take x-rays of your teeth to check for any problems that may not be visible to the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth or under existing fillings. A thorough cleaning will be done by the dentist to remove plaque and prevent plaque buildup in the future. If problems are found with your mouth during a check-up, your dentist may recommend treatment such as a filling, crown, or root canal. Additionally, if your gums are inflamed due to a bacterial infection or if a tooth is loose, you may need treatment for these issues as well.
How to Keep Up With Your Oral Care?
Regular dental visits play a vital role in maintaining oral health. They help us identify and remedy any problems with teeth or gums. Besides, we can also assess the general condition of your oral health, detect potential trouble spots, and provide the required preventive care. In between visits, follow a dedicated regime of oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth clean and disease-free, your gums healthy and pink, and your breath fresh. Your oral routine care should include the following:
Brush and Floss
It would be best if you brushed at least twice a day and flossed at least once daily. This will help eliminate plaque, a sticky bacterial film, from the surfaces of your teeth. The bacteria in plaque can convert into acids from the sugars left over in the food debris. These acids then attack the tooth's enamel resulting in cavities. Some bacteria can also be responsible for gingivitis and other severe gum diseases
Get Fluorides
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel. It is crucial for children's developing teeth and helps prevent decay in adults and kids. Even if your tap water is fluoridated, you should always use fluoride toothpaste. If more fluoride is required, it can be applied directly to your teeth at our dental office.
Limit Sugary Snacks
Sugary snacks encourage decay-causing bacteria. When eaten in excess, the acids are constantly attacking your teeth. Hence limit your sugary treats to mealtime
Use a Mouth Rinse
Medicated mouth rinses prevent foul odor in your mouth and help improve your overall oral hygiene. They contain anti-bacterial and anti-cariogenic ingredients and prevent cavities when supplemented with efficient brushing and flossing.
Quit Tobacco
Tobacco use significantly increases your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Quitting tobacco will be beneficial for your oral and overall general health.
Teeth Cleanings
During your teeth cleaning treatment, we will meticulously scrub your teeth and gums and remove the harmful accumulations that can compromise the health of your smile. Teeth cleanings significantly reduce the need for costly treatments in the future as we can stop preventable issues like tooth decay and gum diseases from occurring in the first place. Finally, we will polish your smile to restore its shine and luster.
At Kennedy Heights Dental Centre, we provide dental solutions to improve your oral health while transforming smiles. Visit our office at 11960 88 Ave, Delta, BC V4C 3C8, Canada, or call 778.200.8556 and schedule an appointment.