Oral Hygiene and Professional Teeth Cleaning in Potomac. Prevent and Protect your mouth from harmful bacteria to keep healthy smile for life.

Oral Hygiene and Professional Teeth Cleaning

Oral hygiene involves keeping the mouth clean and healthy by brushing and flossing regularly to prevent both tooth decay and the development of gum disease and bad breath.

A bright and healthy smile is an important part of a first impression in both professional and social environments. Proper care of the teeth and mouth can keep a smile healthy for a lifetime. Teeth that are not properly cared for can have both cosmetic and functional problems. Receiving regular preventive dental care is much easier than waiting until a problem occurs or worsens. Personal at-home care and professional care are the two main components of good oral hygiene practices. Professional care includes professional exams and teeth cleaning, both of which are performed by skilled dental hygienists and dentists at our Potomac dental office. Personal care includes brushing and flossing regularly at home.

Oral hygiene involves the cleaning or removal of plaque from the surface of the teeth and gums. Plaque is composed of tiny food particles and bacteria that cover the teeth and other surfaces of the mouth. Rough surfaces on the teeth are particularly popular sites for plaque build-up to occur. The bacteria in plaque combine with the carbohydrate in the food particles and form an acid that wears down the outer surface of the teeth. This leads to tooth decay or cavities. Plaque can also irritate the gum tissue in the mouth and cause gum disease. The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Symptoms of gingivitis include inflammation and sensitivity of the gums, and a tendency for the gums to bleed easily during brushing and flossing. Gingivitis can be reversed through good oral hygiene practices so that it does not progress to advanced gum disease.

Oral hygiene practices performed at home include brushing and flossing at least twice a day, preferably after meals, to remove any lingering food particles. There are different sizes of tooth brushes available for children and adults. It is best to use a soft brush and care should be taken to not over brush the tissue at the gum line. Over brushing can lead to loss of gum tissue and increased sensitivity. Plaque can also gather on the surface of the tongue. Brushing the tongue with a tooth brush or cleaning it with a special instrument called a tongue scraper can help to remove plague. Anti-plaque mouth washes can also be used to remove plaque and bacteria from the surface of the mouth.

Professional exams and teeth cleaning are an important part of good oral hygiene practices. Both of these are performed at our Potomac dental office. During a professional dental exam, the dentist will check your teeth, gums, jaw, and tongue. The dentist will talk with you and identify if there have been any recent problems such as with chewing, tooth sensitivity, or general discomfort. Any problems will be evaluated and a treatment plan developed. The dentist may take x-rays, bite impressions, or molds of the teeth as an additional means of diagnosis. The dentist will also perform a professional teeth cleaning in which plaque and tartar build up is removed from the surface of the teeth and the teeth are polished with a special instrument and tooth paste.

A professional exam and teeth cleaning is recommended twice a year. Call our Potomac office today to schedule an appointment for a professional exam and teeth cleaning. Make an investment in your healthy smile!

If you have further questions about oral hygiene contact our office for an appointment 301-760-4550.

To learn more about modern dental services and smile makeover performed by our Dentist in Potomac click here.

Your Dentist 7508 Wisconsin ave. Bethesda MD 20814 tel: 301-760-4550