SO WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEE YOUR DENTIST FOR HYGIENE APPOINTMENTS?

Regular meals, regular exercise, regular visits to the dentist; we all know how important these are for our health and wellbeing. But what about regular dental hygiene appointments? It isn’t something that often makes it onto the annual to-do list but visiting your dental hygienist goes a long way to protecting your dental health. In fact, keeping up with your dental hygiene appointments will ultimately mean you need to spend less time in the dental chair. Here’s why.

Nooks and crannies

Even if you’ve practised the most diligent oral hygiene routine at home, there are some places that your toothbrush and dental floss won’t effectively reach. Bacteria that live in your mouth take full advantage of that, setting up home in those nooks and crannies, which leads to the build-up of plaque and tartar.

A dental hygienist uses special dental equipment to thoroughly clean, scale and polish your teeth, removing plaque and tartar, even in those hard to reach places.

Keeping gum disease at bay

Plaque and tartar aren’t just unsightly; they also damage the protective enamel coating of your teeth and irritate your gums. This is because they are made up of bacteria which feed off sugars in the food and drinks you ingest. As they feed, they produce acids and this is what weakens your enamel and inflames your gums.

Regular dental hygiene appointments help prevent gum disease and dental decay by removing plaque and tartar before they lead to disease. Both gum disease and tooth decay are leading causes of tooth loss; your dental hygienist can, therefore, help you hold on to your natural teeth.

Pearly whites

A professional clean, scale and polish by a dental hygienist can remove common surface stains from your teeth, which often accumulate from eating and drinking food and beverages with strong pigments. This is particularly good news for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding as it is advised that they do not to undergo teeth whitening.

Dental hygiene 101

Regular dental hygiene appointments give your dental hygienist the chance to talk to you about your dental hygiene routine and how to improve it. Whether its using a different toothpaste, improving your brushing technique or giving you dietary tips that are kinder to your teeth, your dental hygienist can provide advice tailored to your needs and lifestyle.

Never too late

If it’s been a while since you last saw the dental hygienist, you may need more than one appointment to get your teeth back on track but that extra care and attention will ensure your teeth stay healthy for longer. It’s never too late to get your dental hygiene back in shape with the help of a dental hygienist.

To keep dental disease at bay and enjoy a healthier smile, make sure you book regular dental hygiene appointments alongside your dental check-ups.

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