Dental Hygiene
We recommend that you see the hygienist (Miss Sarah Marsh) at least every six months for a scale and polish. Scaling removes tartar build up which cannot be removed by brushing alone and polishing smoothes off any rough areas.
Seeing the hygienist on a regular basis helps keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is usually caused by plaque. If plaque is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth, gums become irritated and red. The irritated gum tissue can separate from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. Bacteria move into the pockets where they continue to promote irritation.
Left untreated, the process can continue until the bone and other tooth-supporting tissues are destroyed. The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. It often results in gums that are red and swollen and may bleed easily.
To prevent this, we recommend good oral health and regular hygiene appointments. However, our specialist periodontist (Dr Hatem Algraffee) is available to treat gingivitis, gum recession and other gum disease.
Decay Detection
Early tooth decay does not tend to show many physical signs. Sometimes the tooth looks healthy, but your dentist will be able to see from an x-ray whether you have any decay under the enamel, any possible infections in the roots, or any bone loss around the tooth.
|
