Dental Hygiene

It is impossible for the rest of your body to be healthy if your mouth is not. Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical to preserving your teeth and maintaining good oral health.

Your gums provide the seal that keeps bacteria that are normal and healthy in your mouth from getting into the bone and bloodstream where they can cause serious problems.

Our goal in dental hygiene is to help you preserve your teeth and to maintain the healthy seal that enhances your overall health. We want to help you keep your teeth and gums clean, healthy and attractive. Regular checkups and professional cleanings also help us identify potential problem areas and develop a plan to ensure that your mouth stays healthy.

Oral hygiene visits give us an opportunity to screen for oral lesions including cancer. The frequency of oral cancer has increased dramatically in recent years. Early detection is essential for good outcomes.

You will find our hygienists friendly, compassionate, competent and dedicated to helping you maintain your oral health.

Periodontal Disease

The term “periodontal” means “around the tooth.” Therefore, periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Gum, or periodontal, disease can cause inflammation, tooth loss and bone damage. The infection starts when the gums become inflamed due to bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that forms on your teeth. While this is often the main cause of periodontal disease, other factors can also be attributed to affecting the health of the gums and bone, including:

  • Smoking or Tobacco Use
  • Stress
  • Genetics
  • Pregnancy
  • Medications
  • Diabetes
  • Poor Nutrition

Periodontal disease comes in many forms. Gingivitis is perhaps the mildest form of gum disease. While the gums become red, swollen and bleed easily, there is very little to no discomfort associated at this stage of the disease. Through a good oral hygiene regimen and treatment from your dentist, the results of gingivitis can be reversed.

Periodontitis is another form of periodontal disease and can be aggressive or chronic. Aggressive periodontitis displays rapid bone destruction and attachment loss in clinically healthy patients. Chronic periodontitis is one of the most common forms of periodontal disease and is frequently seen in adults. The stages progress slowly and can be recognized by gum recession and pocket formation.

Treatment and Prevention

In certain cases, periodontal surgery may be recommended to treat periodontal disease when non-surgical treatment is ineffective. We may advise procedures such as pocket reduction, soft tissue grafts or bone regeneration to treat periodontal disease. If a tooth has been lost due to periodontal disease, dental implants are always an option for permanent tooth replacement.

Good oral hygiene and regular visits with your dentist and periodontist can prevent periodontal disease. Daily brushing and flossing can keep plaque to a minimum and, in conjunction with professional cleanings 2-4 times a year, can keep your teeth healthy for life