DENTAL HYGIENE

Good dental health is our number one priority here at 44 Derngate, and we firmly believe that is rooted in good oral hygiene.

By now, you know you should be brushing your teeth twice a day. But flossing and using interdent brushes are also key to maintaining good oral hygiene, to get to the parts of your mouth that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush.

Keeping your mouth in good condition is the best way to prevent conditions such as gum disease, which can ultimately lead to tooth decay and even loss. Much of this responsibility lies with you: take care of your own teeth today and you will be much less likely to need our services tomorrow. This is what we like to call preventative dentistry.

But we can help you in other ways as well. Although you should clean your teeth thoroughly before visiting, during a check-up a dentist can give you a scale and a polish which just buffs away some of the worst build-ups of plaque and tartar.

We also have an in-house dental hygienist who is qualified to give your teeth a comprehensive clean. This is much more involved than a quick scale and a polish, and appointments can take up to an hour. At the end of the process your mouth will feel smooth, clean and fresh. This is especially useful if you have any orthodontics leftover such as a wire which can be difficult to clean around.

This cleaning will treat gum disease and the causes of it, which also helps treat conditions like halitosis (bad breath) and save teeth. The process is detailed but painless, and although visits to the hygienist are not compulsory they are highly recommended. In fact, we recommend seeing the hygienist once every six months, although this can vary depending on the overall health of your teeth and gums.

Coming away from a hygienist with a clean, fresh mouth full of gleaming teeth will also give you the confidence to head out and take on the world.

SEEING THE THERAPIST DURING PREGNANCY? – WHAT CHANGES COULD BE SEEN?

That’s because hormone changes during pregnancy can affect your preventative care and many pregnant women notice that their gums are red, inflamed and sometimes bleed when they brush their teeth. The swelling and inflamed gums are referred to as ‘pregnancy gingivitis’ and can start as soon as the second month of pregnancy. The hormone progesterone can be around 10 times higher than normal during pregnancy, affecting the body’s response to toxins as a result of plaque build-up. Women are therefore more susceptible to developing periodontal disease when these hormonal fluctuations occur.If you are pregnant we recommend that you come to the practice to see the hygienist – they can help you to maintain your gum health during pregnancy