subject: Oral Hygiene - Are You Maintaining A Proper Daily Regimen? [print this page] Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Not only do healthy teeth enable you to look and feel good, but they make it possible to eat and speak properly as well. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop and is much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress. Your dentist and hygienist can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.
Your Western Springs Dentist Employs a Full Time Hygienist
At your dentist in Western Spring's office, she employs a full-time dental hygienist that provides meticulous dental cleanings and preventive care for their patients. The hygienist is also prepared to treat patients with the following special concerns:
Periodontal patients - Your hygienist will actively monitor and record periodontal pocket depth, recession and inflammation at each appointment. Many periodontal patients see the hygienist three to four times a year and when needed, benefit from non-surgical treatment of gum problems, which may include Cavitron assisted scaling, the diode soft tissue laser or localized placement of antibiotic medication. Your dentist in Western Springs and the hygienist also work with a periodontitis for patients requiring more involved surgical care.
Cavity prone patients - Oral hygiene instruction is provided with individually tailored recommendations for home care. It is important to find out why a person is having tooth decay and how to address those issues. With prescription strength fluoride toothpaste, remineralizing gel, xylitol products, power brushes and Water Pik irrigation devices available, you can help fight tooth decay.
Babies and children - Parents are encouraged to bring their infant in for oral examination before their first birthday. By doing this, your dentist can begin monitoring growth and development, as well as providing guidance to help little one enjoy a healthy dental future. Preventive care offered includes cleaning the teeth, fluoride varnish and sealants on permanent teeth.
Follow this Daily Oral Health Regimen
When we were children, many of us learned how to brush our teeth and have stuck with that same technique well into adulthood. Unfortunately, many of us may have learned to brush the wrong way. Even if you learn the right way, it can often be hard to stick with it.
Proper brushing takes at least two minutes, which most adults do not come close to. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns, or other restorations.
In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, it is important to practice proper flossing techniques at least once a day. Proper flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles where a toothbrush cannot easily reach. Since plaque buildup can lead to decay and gum disease, daily flossing is a must.
Even if you take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home, it is still important to visit your dentist in Western Springs regularly. Your dentist can check for problems that you may not be able to see or feel, as many dental problems don't become visible or cause pain until they are in more advanced stages. Regular visits allow your dentist in Western Springs, IL to find early signs of disease, which can be treated at a manageable stage.
