Dental Cleaning / Hygiene

Dental Cleaning / Hygiene in St. George, UT

Dental hygiene is closely tied to overall oral hygiene. Dental hygiene primarily focuses on the teeth and gums, but taking care of the rest of your mouth also plays a role in maintaining the health of your smile.
Bacteria thrive in dark, warm, and moist environments, which can lead to cavities, gum disease, and a range of other health issues. No dental treatment will be effective unless you follow it up with proper routine home care. You should brush and floss regularly after each meal and at a minimum twice a day. The key is not only to do it regularly but to do it right!
Diabetes is so closely associated with gum disease in some studies that it is hard to tease out from the data which one may be the causal factor of the other.
Some bacteria in the mouth can cause endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart. Proper hygiene of the mouth, teeth, and gums helps prevent cavities, tooth loss, gingivitis, and advanced periodontal disease (oral soft tissue and bone damage).

GETTING STARTED WITH A GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE ROUTINE

Everyone can take the time to brush and floss, and both are critical to overall oral health and fitness. Brushing regularly removes bacterial buildup. Using an ADA-recommended toothpaste helps remove bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and the gum line, polishes stains off your teeth, adds fluoride for cavity prevention, and even tastes good, making your breath smell nice. Flossing gets into all the nooks and crannies in between teeth to remove plaque before it hardens. Avoid hard and medium-bristled toothbrushes and opt instead for the softest bristles available for your preferred brand. Also, avoid pressing too hard when brushing. Let the tips of the bristles do the work of scrubbing away the plaque.

Commit to a week of proper toothbrushing, which includes flossing your teeth at least twice a day. One session is easy to cover by doing it before bed. Supervise children to develop good oral hygiene habits from an early age. It is tougher to unlearn bad methods and habits than it is to form good ones. Just like any other routine in life, once you get established in it, it becomes second nature. The benefits of good dental hygiene may not be immediately noticeable, but they certainly pay off in the long run. Crowns, implants, bridges, partials, and dentures are expensive, and they are a poor substitute for your real teeth. Maintain your dental health by following a daily routine of brushing and flossing to remove plaque.

And you can always ask us if you have any questions about oral health at home!

St. George, UT

GETTING STARTED WITH your next step in good DENTAL HYGIENE