According to Bupa Dental Care, 33% of Brits never visit the hygienist and 34% of Brits never floss, indicating that in the UK, we still have a long way to go in terms of understanding just how important our oral hygiene is in the long term. Here are 3 ways in which hygienist appointments can benefit you in the long term.
The benefits of routine scale and polish appointments
Scaling and polishing removes deposits in the form of plaque and tartar from your tooth surfaces, the type of staining that cannot be removed through brushing alone. These type of deposits can cause gingivitis (a mild form of gum disease) if left untreated and prevent this from developing into severe gum disease, otherwise known as periodontitis. Patients who attend regular scaling and polishing appointment are considered to be at low risk of developing gum disease.
Preventing gum disease
If gum disease is left to develop to the latter stages, it can cause bleeding, inflamed and painful gums, bad breath and loose teeth. Your hygienist at Corner House Dental will treat such issues and play an educational role, outlining the kind of steps you can take in improving your oral hygiene in the long run, in order to avoid gum disease from striking again. Brushing alone will only clean three out of five surfaces of our teeth, so flossing is also a significant part of a healthy oral hygiene routine – your hygienist will be able to advise you on how to floss effectively and how often.
Tackling bad breath
Bad breath, also known as Halitosis, can be due to an underlying dental problem, with the odour often being caused by the build-up of plaque and bacteria between your teeth or below the gum line. Should you bad breath be caused by the latter, only a professional hygienist will be able to help resolve this. Aside from causing health problems, bad breath can affect self confidence and relationships with others but it’s important to remember that our team here in Norwich will approach this without judgement.
If you would like to book a hygienist appointment with us here at Corner House Dental, please do not hesitate to contact us here in Norwich.