DENTAL HYGIENE
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How often should I get a check-up and professional clean?
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It depends on your age, current oral health and oral hygiene habits. Early diagnosis of dental problems will lead to simple and more conservative treatments. If your teeth and gums are healthy, and your cleaning habits are good, then every six months is a safe option.
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How often do I need X-RAYS?
Again it depends on your current dental health. If your dental risk profile is low, then once every two years may suffice. However, if a cavity is being monitored, then as frequently as six monthly may be necessary to assess size and depth.
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Sometimes there is a misconception that brushing at home is all that’s needed to maintain dental health.
Many people don’t realise the importance of professional cleans. Although good oral hygiene at home is very important, hard tartar (also known as dental calculus) cannot be removed without a professional clean.
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Dental calculus can get trapped in the pocket between the gums and the teeth. Untreated calculus buildup will cause gum inflammation (gingivitis) in the short term and will cause receding gum disease (periodontitis) in the long term. The calculus is removed with a professional sonic scaler and usually causes minimal discomfort.
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Professional cleans will also get rid of those hard to remove tea, coffee and red wine stains!
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Signs that you may need a professional clean
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Visible tartar buildup
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Visible stains
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Bad breath
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Bleeding gums
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Sensitive teeth
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Painful gums
Oral hygiene & gum disease (Periodontal) Disease
Practicing good oral hygiene is the foundation of preventative dentistry. It protects against excessive plaque build up, bacteria, cavities, infection and bad breath. It also mirrors the health of your overall body.
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Poor oral hygiene is a major contributor to oral infection, tooth decay and gum disease (periodontal disease). Gum disease is an infectious disease caused by excessive tartar and multiplying bacteria. Gum pockets become inflamed, eventually leading to tooth loss if left untreated.
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According to substantial international studies, periodontal disease is linked to an increased risk of developing more serious health complications. These include: Type 2 diabetes, cancer, stroke, digestive disorders and heart disease. For pregnant mothers with gum disease, the risks of premature delivery and low birth weight are also heightened. Our dentists have a strong focus on education and are committed to the health and longevity of your teeth. We encourage you to pay close attention to your oral hygiene and practice excellent maintenance habits to prevent future complications and address any existing damage. To establish an effective dental care regime, we recommend that you take the following preventative steps:
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Daily at-home care
Cleaning routine: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and after meals, for two minutes each time to thoroughly remove plaque and clean tooth surfaces. Floss once per day to ensure leftover food debris hiding between teeth is removed from places your toothbrush cannot reach. Using mouthwash and a fluoride toothpaste can strengthen tooth enamel, remove more bacteria and prevent tooth decay. And don’t forgot to replace your manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months to achieve an effective clean.
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Diet: Following a healthy diet is just as important as a good cleaning routine when maintaining oral hygiene. What you consume and how often you eat impacts your teeth. Eat more nutritious foods to stimulate saliva and strengthen enamel. Limit food and beverages that are high in sugar – your body converts this sugar into acid, which can attack your tooth enamel, causing decay and discolouration.
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Bi-annual professional care
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Professional clean: Visiting Kevin Wong Dental every six months for a dental assessment plays a vital role in prevention. A professional clean removes plaque and tartar above your gum line that at-home cleaning cannot tackle. Next, a fluoride application will further protect and strengthen teeth.
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Oral evaluation: The most important part is your evaluation, which is why dental assessments are more than “just a clean”. Dental assessments provide our team with an invaluable opportunity to carefully inspect your mouth, teeth and gums and identify potential problems as early as possible.
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We will be looking for signs of tooth decay, loose or broken teeth, damaged tooth fillings and prosthetics or gum disease. Detecting problems in their early stages can prevent them from escalating into more serious complications that are harder, if not impossible, to repair. For example, a simple filling or fissure sealing at the right time could prevent the need for root canal therapy down the track – treatment that is costly, time-consuming and could have been avoided if existing problems were addressed earlier.
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