Four very important reasons to keep your teeth clean

Here at Dental Concepts we offer patients dental hygiene treatments such as Scaling and Polishing, Periodontal Treatment (the treatment of gum disease) and tackling halitosis (bad breath). Oral health is the foundation of any dental treatment we provide and we aim to have all our patients with happy and healthy gums and teeth for life.

Here are four reasons our hygienist Tracey wants you to reach for your toothbrush and get those pearly whites cleaner than clean:

1. The plaque attack

We all know that foods containing sugar and starch are bad for our teeth but do you know why? Our teeth and gums are at constant threat from plaque, which is bacteria that forms on the teeth in a sticky film.

When this bacteria comes into contact with these types of foods it produces acid, which attacks the enamel of the teeth. With constant exposure to sugar and starch the teeth will be under a high amount of acid attack and that is when we can suffer from cavities.

Plaque doesn’t just cause problems for our teeth. If it isn’t removed from the gums it becomes an irritant causing swelling and the gums can begin to detach from the teeth creating ‘pockets’. These can become infected leading to destruction of the supporting bone and causing tooth loss.

2. Fluoride

You may already know that fluoride can be found in most toothpaste but do you know why we use it?

When the teeth come under acid attack the decay process is called demineralisation and fluoride can help to remineralise the teeth. That is, replace the minerals that are lost during an acid attack.

Children under the age of three should use toothpaste with a fluoride level of 1,000ppm, above this age and into adulthood they can move up to levels of 1,350-1,500ppm.

3. Get in between

Toothbrush and toothpaste, check. But what about the spaces in between your teeth?

It is important to clean here too, because food and bacteria can become trapped in these tiny spaces leading to plaque build up and subsequent acid attack. Flossing can help to combat this but there are also tiny brushes that can be used as well, called interdental brushes.

Our hygienist Tracey will advise you on the size you need and the best way to use them in order to remove the plaque. As with flossing, you may notice a slight amount of bleeding after the first few uses but this should reduce as your gums become healthier.

4. Overall health

The mouth has been hailed in recent times as the window to overall health. This is because how clean and healthy your teeth and gums are can have a more wide-reaching effect than you might realise.

Gum disease, or periodontitis, has been linked with heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and premature or low birth weight babies.

Tracey Evans has trained and qualified with a Diploma in Dental Hygiene, Royal Army Dental Corp to deliver oral hygiene treatment to a high standard at Dental Concepts and has been working with us for over four years.

If you have any questions about having a dental hygiene treatment, be sure to book an appointment with us today to discuss your options. Drop into the practice at 67 Winchester Road, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7HW or call us on 01256 893 517