Importance of Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene and oral health are extremely important as issues in the mouth can cause medical issues elsewhere in the body to go undetected. Here at Waikoloa Dental Clinic we strive to not only offer dental hygiene services but also to educate our patients so they can continue to keep up with their oral health at home. Oral health begins with regular brushing and flossing as both help to remove plaque from the teeth, that if left can cause decay. While brushing takes the plaque off of most of a tooth's surface, flossing is necessary to remove the plaque and buildup of food from under the gums. Cavities are common at the gumline in many people who do not regularly floss as the buildup causes decay. If you are having difficulties keeping up with dental hygiene we are more than happy to help you establish a dental hygiene routine. 

Cleanings

Keeping up with your dental hygiene will help to preserve not only the strength and health of your teeth but also the color and aesthetic look.  Returning to the dentist for regular cleanings will help to clear and prevent staining, decay, and gum recession. A dental cleaning, what is known to dentists as a prophylaxis (action taken to prevent disease) or prophy, should be done twice a year to maintain dental hygiene. A cleaning consists of an examination of the mouth using a mirror to check for potential issues, scaling of the teeth to remove plaque that is difficult to remove at home, polishing with a gritty paste to make sure all tartar has been removed from the surface of the teeth, and occasionally x-rays called bitewings that are used to detect potential issues on the molars and premolars. These cleanings are important as they remove buildup from the teeth that cannot be removed at home without damaging the teeth.

Exams

Full examinations usually consist of taking or using up to date Full Mouth X-rays, a series of 18 X-rays taken around the mouth, to see any problems or potential problems on the surface, subgingival, and roots of the teeth. A dentist will then take a look at these X-rays and formulate a treatment plan that take care of the issues in order of pain/discomfort, strengthening the teeth, and if desired the aesthetics of the teeth can then be improved. Comprehensive exams are typically not necessary if the teeth are in good condition and periodic exams, those performed at cleanings, routinely come back with little to no issues.