While daily brushing and flossing can help keep tooth decay and disease away, plaque and tartar build up can still occur if not kept in check by a professional.
Regular hygiene treatments are the basis of preventative care, ensuring your gums and teeth stay fresh and healthy. The gums, also known as the periodontium are the foundation of your teeth; they are what hold your teeth in place. There is no point having great teeth if the gums are not healthy. Restoring a new tooth on unhealthy gums would be like building a house on quicksand!
All of our Dentists are qualified and experts in preventative care. Our dentists work with you and your dentist to provide dental care that maintains the health of your gums and strength of your teeth, and keeps your smile looking beautiful.
The role of a Dental hygienist includes:
- Help detect, treat and prevent gum disease
- Remove all plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line
- Remove active infection
- Develop your personalised home care plan
- Provide oral health education
- Provide preventative treatments including fluoride applications and fissure sealants
- Offer teeth whitening
- Take Xrays
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults 30-years or older.
Gingivitis – The build up of tartar and plaque that leads to inflammation is known commonly as gingivitis. If you aren’t flossing or brushing your teeth regularly or correctly you might notice swelling and a puffy redness. Removing all the plaque and tartar from your teeth, and keeping it off can cure gingivitis.
Periodontitis – A disease of the gums and the deeper supporting tissues of the teeth. It usually results from chronic gingivitis that is left untreated. When the inflammation gets into the supporting bone, there is irreversibly damage. The bone may shrinks away and teeth can become sore and/or loose, resulting in tooth loss. Bone loss caused by periodontitis is irreversible and will never grow back. Once you have periodontitis, it takes careful monitoring, diligent home care and thorough hygiene therapy to ensure it has ceased and doesn’t progress.
With regular visits, GFD can plan a series of treatments to slow down the process and prevent early tooth loss. In many cases we can successfully stop further deterioration to the gums enabling you to hold onto your teeth longer.
Call us now to book an appointment our dentists.
