Dental Checkups

Not only is practicing good oral hygiene vital in maintaining good oral health; it also has a major impact on your general wellbeing. Here at Clearly Dental, we focus on preventing oral health conditions from developing in the first place. A good diet and a proper hygiene routine at home can make a big difference to the health of your teeth and gums but regular check-ups are just as important.

Oral health prevention is key

Good oral hygiene is necessary to maintain a healthy smile. It is one of the main ways to prevent tooth decay and gum disease from developing.

 

Optimal oral hygiene consists of the following:

• Cleaning your teeth, and gums and mouth twice daily
• Using correct brushing techniques
• Using appropriate fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing once daily

Checking in with check-ups. Why check-ups are so important?

Having a regular check-up and professional clean, every six months is widely recommended. We’re able to remove any build-up of hardened plaque (calculus) and identify potential problems.

By taking a closer look at your oral health, and using X-rays to determine the well-being of your teeth and gums, our dentists are trained to spot a problem before it occurs or worsens. Our aim is to save you from experiencing the discomfort that issues such as cavities can cause later.

If we can spot things early, we can save you from experiencing bigger more expensive problems later. Let’s be honest, prevention is better and cheaper than cures.

Our hygienists are focused oral health professionals

While our dentist's job is to assess and help you maintain your overall dental well-being, our hygienists provide education about and promotion of healthy behaviours. They’ll check out your mouth, screen for oral cancers to catch any problems before they occur as well as give your teeth a good clean and polish. They’ll also work with you to identify what can be done at home to maintain good oral health.

But what exactly do dental hygienists do?

• Discuss and advise correct home care: Our hygienist will talk to you about your lifestyle and how you could improve your dental care at home. They may recommend a different cleaning routine or explain how current care can be improved.
• Professional cleaning: A routine visit with a hygienist at Clearly Dental will likely involve a scale and polish - commonly known as teeth cleaning. The purpose of this is to remove tartar and plaque build-up, which can harm gums. They’ll then apply protective materials to your teeth such as fluorides.
• Demonstrating technique: If you are unsure of how to care for your teeth at home, or if we advise you to start a new care routine, our hygienist will demonstrate and teach you the new technique to ensure it’s effective at home.
• Explain the effect of diet: Certain foods and drinks can cause staining or encourage bacterial growth. Our hygienists will explain what the effects of certain items are and how you can make helpful changes to your diet.

What are the main issues our dental hygienist can help you address?

Preventing Gum disease

In its most extreme form, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and has been linked to health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. It is caused by build-up of plaque, which is a layer of bacteria on the surface of the teeth. Prevention is key, and ensuring teeth are cleaned and flossed regularly is the best way to manage it at home. However, a scale and polish with a hygienist can get rid of any remaining bacteria, including in hard to reach areas, or where plaque has hardened into tartar.

Here are the stages of gum disease to watch out for:

The First Stage: Gingivitis

The bacteria build-up around the gum line (plaque), can cause infection to occur as it builds up. The first stage of infection is common among adults and children. It attacks the soft tissues of the gums. Symptoms include soreness, bright red and puffy gums, inflammation, and bleeding after brushing. Gingivitis can be managed through a thorough oral hygiene routine. For those with gingivitis, a visit to the dentist or dental hygienist should be enough to remove any plaque or tartar to control the infection and allow the teeth and gums to heal. This, along with a vigilant brushing and flossing regime, should avoid any further damage.

Advanced Stage: Periodontitis

If gingivitis is not attended to properly, it can penetrate deeper into the gums and attack the bone structures that support the teeth. This advanced stage of the disease is called ‘periodontitis’ where the infection increases in severity. It attacks the supporting bone, ligaments and tissue that secure your teeth, slowly weakening the support. Worst case scenario it can lead to teeth becoming wobbly and falling out. Let's avoid this!

More serious cases of periodontitis may mean your dentist will refer you to a specialist periodontist for treatment. This treatment may include scaling and root planing. Scaling is where the periodontist will scrape off tartar both above and below the gum line, while root planing is a deep clean under the gum line that aims to remove tartar and bacteria from the periodontal pockets.

In severe cases of periodontistis, for example, if scaling and root planing are unsuccessful, you may require flap surgery, which is where the gum is pulled back for a deep clean, then sutured back into place around the gum to heal. If you have lost bone or gum tissue to periodontitis, you may be a good candidate for a tissue or bone graft to repair such damage.

Preventing Tooth decay

Sugary food and drinks cause the enamel of the tooth to soften when they react with the bacteria contained in plaque. Over time, this can cause a cavity and lead to decay. Our dental hygienists provide cleaning strategies and dietary advice to help prevent the onset of decay, and they’ll also look for signs of decay during routine appointments.

Preventing Tooth Discolouration

Staining caused by lifestyle and diet factors can harm the enamel by preventing oxygen from reaching it. Left untreated, staining can eventually lead to gingivitis and gum disease. A regular scale and polish can clear the teeth of any staining and prevent further complications arising.

Preventing Oral cancer

Early detection is important when it comes to curing oral cancer. Early symptoms can easily go unnoticed. Lifestyle factors are key indicators and are the first steps in preventing the disease. A dental hygienist will be listening out for concerning levels of alcohol consumption, smoking or UV light. If there is cause for concern, they'll explain what changes you might need to make in order to reduce your risk.

Preventing bad breath or halitosis

This condition is more commonly known as bad breath. Visits to the hygienist can help prevent halitosis by providing proper strategies for maintaining oral health at home and cleaning the teeth during the appointment. Halitosis is caused by bacteria on the tongue and in the throat, and is encouraged by poor hygiene and lifestyle factors, such as smoking.

The team at Clearly Dental are here to help you take care of your smile. We’re open, honest and transparent about the things you can do to look after your oral health.

If you have any questions about how our team can help you take the steps to look after your oral health, contact your nearest Clearly Dental team today.

^*Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.