Dental Hygiene Specialist

What is dental hygiene?

Dental hygiene refers to keeping your mouth clean and how you do it. A clean mouth is the key to good oral health, so it’s essential for you to learn the proper techniques for brushing and flossing to remove debris and bacteria. 

Maintaining good oral hygiene isn’t hard, and the team at Novato Family Dental Care is here to teach you how. In addition to hygiene services like professional cleanings every six months, the team provides screenings for periodontal disease and oral cancer. They also check the conditions of any oral restorations like crowns, fillings, and veneers. 

How can I maintain great dental hygiene?

Maintaining great oral hygiene requires several steps both on your own accord and from the team at Novato Family Dental Care. To keep a clean mouth with minimal bacteria, you must:

Brush your teeth

As you probably know, you must brush your teeth thoroughly twice every day. Most people choose to do so when they wake up and right before they go to bed. You can also brush after meals. 

Floss between your teeth

Flossing between your teeth once a day removes scraps of food and dislodges bacteria, which can get caught in tight spaces. 

Use fluoride

You should use fluoridated toothpaste and drink fluoridated water to strengthen your tooth enamel. 

Attend six-month professional cleanings

Twice a year, you must come to Novato Family Dental care for routine cleanings. The team also performs an in-depth examination, including dental X-rays and screenings to check for signs of disease and decay. 

Watch your diet

Ingredients like sugar and alcohol can erode your enamel, so cutting back on them might help you keep your teeth healthier. 

What is the importance of maintaining great dental hygiene?

Maintaining good dental hygiene can greatly improve your oral health by preventing common diseases and tooth decay. Bacterial buildup in the mouth leads to gingivitis and periodontitis. Cleaning your teeth thoroughly clears bacteria from the mouth and also helps to limit tooth decay.

Keeping your teeth healthy through dental hygiene helps you avoid tooth loss and the costs that come with replacing your teeth. Losing teeth can lead to additional problems like tooth migration and jawbone deterioration. 

Beyond dental health, oral hygiene leads to better overall health, too. Research indicates that a lack of bacteria in the mouth reduces your chances of stroke, heart disease, and even some types of cancer. 

To find out more about the best practices for improving your dental hygiene, call Novato Family Dental Care or book an appointment online today.