Dental Hygiene

Good dental hygiene is essential not only for oral health, but to maintain general health as well.

Many of us do not realise the importance of good dental hygiene and the negative impact that neglecting our teeth has on our health. Recent studies indicate a correlation between poor oral health and several serious systemic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (stroke and heart disease), difficulty controlling diabetes and premature birth/low birth weight babies to name a few.

At Wanniassa Dental, we have a commitment to the establishment and maintenance of healthy mouths, and a preventive approach to the control and management of dental problems. It is vitally important to have regular hygiene and examination appointments to achieve these goals.

During a hygiene appointment our dental hygienist will thoroughly clean the teeth of plaque and calculus (hard plaque or tartar), remove surface staining and assess your gums for any signs of gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease). An assessment for other diseases such as oral cancer is also carried out.

Our hygienist will also work with you to show you how to clean your teeth effectively, giving you tips and pointers to improve your oral condition and will give you advice on which dental products to use to make your job easier and more effective. Diet and lifestyle changes may also be recommended to help maintain good oral health.

To maintain good oral health it is important to have dental hygiene appointments regularly (usually every 6 months). The hygiene appointment is usually coupled with a periodic examination with one of our dentists, who will perform a thorough check-up of the teeth and dental restorations, with the aim of identifying problems early before they become major issues. Radiographs (x-rays) may also be required to aid in this process.

The ultimate goal of the dental hygiene department is prevention of disease, showing patients the effects of dental disease and then assisting then to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain optimal oral health between visits.