Dental Hygiene and Your Overall Health
Hi, I'm Scarlet here at Boulder Canyon Dental, and today I'm going to go over a lot of common questions we get about dental hygiene.
Scarlet, why is good dental hygiene so important?
Dental hygiene is important. You want to prevent any oral disease, including periodontal disease and gingivitis. A lot of things might not be considered when you come into the practice. We're also doing an oral cancer screening and a very thorough exam.
What can happen to my teeth and overall health if I don't practice good dental hygiene?
Without good dental hygiene, you're eventually going to start losing teeth. Poor dental hygiene has also been linked to systemic conditions like diabetes and Alzheimer's.
Without good dental hygiene, your mouth, which is connected to the rest of your body, can contribute to systemic diseases. There have been links found between oral disease, dementia, and diabetes.
Would I lose my teeth if I don't clean them?
Yes. Without good dental hygiene, you can experience tooth loss.
What are the most important components of a good dental hygiene program?
The most important components of a good dental hygiene program are education and empowering you to take care of your teeth at home in the months between your cleanings. It's a group effort. We can clean your teeth, but we also want you to continue that great care at home.
How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?
Everyone is different. You should have a dental exam and cleaning at least twice a year. If you don't maintain a high standard of home care or if we see concerns, we may want to see you more often. Typically, we would like to see you at least twice a year for your oral exam, cleaning, and oral cancer screening. We do customize patient care, so every three or four months may be necessary.
What does the hygienist do at a teeth cleaning appointment?
Your dental hygienist will remove the plaque or biofilm from your teeth and scale any hard debris as well. This can be done with rotary polishers, electronic scalers that are very gentle, and hand instruments. We're removing all of that bacteria and getting you back to a great state of health for your next six months.
How long is a typical dental hygiene appointment?
A typical dental hygiene appointment is planned to be at least 60 minutes. It's not the same for every person, as we customize each treatment. It can take up to 60 minutes, sometimes less.
How does a dental hygienist ensure that a dental cleaning isn't painful?
Your dental hygienist will communicate with you throughout the cleaning. If you are experiencing any discomfort, there are modifications we can make, such as adjusting water temperature or using local or topical anesthetics to ensure your comfort.
Will my teeth be more sensitive following a teeth cleaning?
Sometimes after a dental cleaning, your teeth can be a little cold sensitive. This is usually because we have removed biofilm layers and sometimes a harder deposit of tartar.
Once that's removed, your teeth can be a little cold sensitive, but this usually dissipates in a day or two. There are over-the-counter remedies that can treat this.
How can I practice good dental hygiene at home?
Everyone's dental hygiene at home can be different, but the basics are making sure you're flossing at least once a day and brushing twice a day.
Want to learn more? Call Boulder Canyon Dental at (970) 514-0662 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.
If you're ready to take action, have any questions, or would like to make an appointment, just give us a call at Boulder Canyon Dental.