The general recommendation is to see a dental hygienist at least once or twice every year. However, some people find it difficult to attend these routine dental visits. Regardless of why you miss your visits to the dental hygienist, these visits are necessary for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
The following are some reasons why you should see your dental hygienist regularly;
Keep your gums healthy
Gum disease occurs due to plaques on the teeth. Plaques are white sticky films that form on the teeth. Plaques house bacteria; some of these bacteria are good while others are bad. If the plaque remains on your teeth for a long time, it begins to irritate the gums, leading to inflammation.
The bacteria in plaques produce toxins that break down the connective tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place. As the condition worsens, pockets around the teeth deepen, destroying more bone and gum tissues. The teeth would have no anchor to hold them in place, causing the affected teeth to become loose, resulting in tooth loss.
Healthy gums are pink and look firm, although your gums may have other pigments depending on your ethnic group. A change in the natural colour of the gums is a sign of poor oral health. Other signs of poor oral health include soreness, bleeding, and tender gums. These symptoms are common with gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease.
Gingivitis is treatable with proper oral care, but lack of maintenance can cause the condition to advance to a severe stage of gum disease called periodontitis.
Visiting a dental hygienist allows you to assess your gum health, so you can get proper advice and treatment to prevent severe oral conditions.
Eliminate bad breath
Poor oral hygiene is the common cause of bad breath, also called halitosis. As you take different drinks and foods during the day, the food particles get stuck between the teeth in small folds of your tongue and mouth. When you don’t remove the particles daily, bacteria in the mouth will feed on them, contributing to bad breath.
Alcohol, digestive issues, pungent foods high in sugar, and smoking are common causes of bad breath. Being consistent in cleaning your teeth and mouth will help prevent bad breath.
Dealing with bad breath can be embarrassing and stressful, but you can reduce bad breath with a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth a minimum of twice daily, using a tongue scraper to clean your mouth, chewing sugar-free gums or mint, and staying hydrated can keep your breath fresh. Regular visits to your hygienist to clean your teeth and provide a tailor-made hygiene routine can also eliminate bad breath.
Get whiter teeth
Different foods and drinks stain your teeth, and if you don’t visit the hygienist regularly, your teeth will gradually look darker. Professional teeth cleaning with your dental hygienist will remove stains and food remnants on your teeth.
Your hygienist can use an airflow treatment, a combination of a fine powder, warm water and air to clean the teeth. Airflow technology can leave the teeth whiter within ten minutes – it is more effective than online and over-the-counter whitening products.
Using whitening toothpaste to improve your teeth shade can scratch the outerlayer of your tooth, making the tooth more prone to staining over time.
Even if you want to whiten your teeth, ensure you visit a registered dental practitioner to ensure a safe teeth-whitening treatment.
Prevent oral cancer
More people are being diagnosed with mouth, head, and neck cancer in the UK. Two-third of these diagnoses occurs in men, and about four in five men diagnosed with these cancers are above 55. These diseases are on a high rise and are claiming more lives than testicular and cervical cancer combined.
About 90% of diagnosed mouth cancer is linked to risk factors and lifestyle. The highest risk factors are alcohol, smoking, HPV infections and diet. Although most oral cancer cases are due to lifestyle changes, mouth cancer can affect anyone.
Mouth cancer can affect the tonsils, roof, floor of the mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, and gums, and it can have a significant impact on a person’s life. Mouth cancer can affect your eating, speaking, drinking, and eating, leading to depression, nutritional deficiency, low self-esteem, and social isolation.
The best way to tackle mouth cancers is early intervention. Early intervention increases the chances of successful treatment. Ensure you visit your hygienist if you notice any sign of mouth cancer.
During your regular dental hygienist visits, they will examine your lymph nodes, neck, face, outside and inside your lips, floor and roof of your mouth, and back of your throat for signs of oral cancer.
Improve your confidence
Having a clean and healthy mouth makes your smile more attractive, makes you feel more confident and look younger. Visiting your dentist regularly allows you assess to oral hygiene education and personalised routine treatments.
Your hygienist can tell you which products are most suitable and how to use them properly and advise you on preventing erosion, decay, and other dental conditions.
Ensure you see a dental hygienist near you for routine dental exam. You can visit this website www.dentalhygienist.london or call now on 020 31375055 to schedule an appointment today in London.
