Oral Hygiene and Professional Teeth Cleaning in Rockville. Protect your mouth from harmful bacteria.

Oral Hygiene/Cleaning/Professional Teeth Cleaning

Oral hygiene involves keeping the mouth clean and healthy by brushing and flossing regularly to prevent both tooth decay and the development of gum disease and bad breath. Oral hygiene also involves visiting the dentist regularly for an exam and professional teeth cleaning. During an exam at our Rockville office, the dentist will check for any signs of abnormalities with your teeth, gums, and jaw functioning. The dentist will then clean the teeth with special tools that are able to remove plaque and stains that brushing and flossing alone could not remove.

The purpose of oral hygiene is to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film from bacteria and food that forms on the teeth over the course of the day and causes tooth decay. Plaque can stick to the very small nicks and cracks on the surface of the teeth and generates types of acid that can cause the breakdown and destruction of the protective enamel that covers the surface of the teeth. Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing hardens into what can sometimes be seen as a yellow colored mineral deposit on the tooth surface called tartar or calculus. Tartar can also form below the gum line where it can lead to gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease).

Gingivitis is the earliest form of periodontal disease. It can be seen as inflammation or redness of the gums which may easily bleed during normal brushing and flossing. Gingivitis is very common, but can be reversed with proper oral hygiene. However, if left untreated, gingivitis will progress into a more serious periodontal disease called periodontitis.

Periodontitis is progressive gum disease that eventually destroys not just the gum tissue, but also the bone and structures supporting the teeth. Without proper support, the teeth will become lose in their sockets and may eventually fall out or have to be removed. Periodontitis is usually diagnosed when gums are red, swollen, bleeding, and shrinking away from the teeth. When the gums shrink from the teeth they leave large open spaces between teeth and also leave exposed root surfaces that are more susceptible to plaque build up and decay.

Over time, plaque causes cavities to form on the teeth. Some cavities can be seen by the dentist as small black dots on the surface of the tooth. Other cavities may only be seen by a diagnostic x-ray. After the decay has been identified during an exam, the dentist will remove the decay with a drill and other special instruments and fill the area where the cavity was located with an a filling material such as resin or composite white filling to restore and protect the remaining tooth structure. If the decay is not untreated, it will continue to expand and eventually destroy the entire tooth. Both prevention and early treatment of tooth decay is preferable to prevent painful and costly procedures later on.

Regular brushing and flossing of the teeth help to remove plaque. Plaque begins to form on teeth anywhere from four to twelve hours after brushing, so brushing a minimum of twice a day is necessary for good oral hygiene. Eating foods that are low in sugar can also help to prevent tooth decay. High sugar foods such as sticky sweets and candy provide the carbohydrate necessary for plaque forming bacteria and are more likely to stick to the surface of the teeth. Consumption of these types of sweet and sticky foods should be limited as a preventive measure for good oral health. The mineral fluoride is often added to toothpaste, drinking water, and some dental treatments and also helps to protect and strengthen the teeth enamel. Fluoride is especially beneficial during childhood when teeth are still developing.

In addition to brushing and flossing, be sure to visit the dentist at our Rockville office for regular exams and professional cleaning as well as other preventative services such as fluoride treatments, sealant application, and scaling (scraping off the hardened plaque, called tartar). Dentists recommend having an exam and your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary as a treatment plan depending on whether any problems are diagnosed. Call today to make an appointment at our Rockville office for a professional exam and teeth cleaning.

If you have further questions about oral hygiene contact our office for an appointment.

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Your Dentist 7508 Wisconsin ave. Bethesda MD 20814 tel: 301-760-4550