Hygiene

Careful and frequent brushing with a toothbrush and flossing help to prevent build-up of plaque and calculus, which is believed to lead to cavities. Cavities can be costly, in terms of the monetary cost to drill out the cavities and insert dental fillings, and in terms of the tissue already damaged. Special appliances or tools may be recommended to supplement tooth brushing and flossing.

These include special toothpicks, water irrigation, or other devices. Initially, electric toothbrushes were only recommended for persons who have problems with strength or dexterity of their hands, but many dentists are now recommending them to many other patients in order to improve home dental care.

Hygiene by a Professional

Regular tooth cleaning by the dental hygienist is recommended to remove tartar that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult for a patient to reach on his own at home.

Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing and debridement if too much tartar has accumulated. This involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth.

We recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned at least every six months.