YOUR ORAL HYGIENE VISIT

This page describes your oral hygiene appointment in detail.
During your visit you will receive much more than just a cleaning, as you can see..

Oral Hygiene Services:

1. Diagnostic services of your dental hygiene visit may include:

• Examination of your teeth to detect decay
• Necessary cavity detecting X-Rays
• Evaluation and assessment of your periodontal (gum) tissue.
• Checking your biting, chewing, and swallowing patterns
• Reviewing and updating your medical history
• Recording any changes in your prescribed medications and physical condition
• Treatment planning
• Evaluating possible cosmetic enhancements of your smile

2. Preventive services of your oral hygiene visit may include:

• Oral cancer examination and screening
• Blood pressure check
• Application of fluoride
• Application of pit and fissure sealant
• Cleaning and scaling of teeth to remove all plaque and calculus (tarter)
• Removal of surface stains from the teeth
• Referral to specialists for specific treatment
• Polishing your gold, silver or composite resin fillings or crowns

3. Educational services of your oral hygiene visit may include:

• Tooth brushing and flossing instruction
• Nutrition counseling
• Case presentation of prescribed dental treatment
• Recommendation of future treatment (orthodontics, periodontal therapy, etc.)

Good oral hygiene begines at home.

Once your dentist or hygienist has completed your hygiene appointment, there are a few simple things you can do to continue a regimen of good oral hygiene at home. They include proper flossing and brushing, as well as eating a balanced diet.

Daily flossing removes plaque and food particles.

Plaque is the number one cause of tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.

Here's how you can remove plaque with dental floss:

1. Use a piece of dental floss approximately 18" long. Wind each end of the floss around your middle fingers.
2. Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, leave about an inch of floss. Using a gentle, back
   and forth motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Avoid snapping the floss, as this may cause unnecessary
   irritation to the gums.
3. When the floss is at the gumline, curve it into an arc around each tooth until there is a mild resistance.
4. Holding the floss in the arc design, gently slide it up the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum.
5. Repeat this procedure on both sides of each tooth.

Give plaque the brush

Choose a toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles; the tips of the bristles should be smooth and rounded. We will be happy to recommend a specific brush that best meets your dental needs.

Here's what to do:

1. Place the head of the toothbrush next to your teeth, with the bristle tips at a 45 degree angle next to the gumline.
2. Move the brush back and forth in a small circular scrubbing motion.
3. Brush the outer surfaces of all teeth, upper and lower, make sure you keep the bristles angled against your gumline.
4. Now brush the inside tooth surfaces, using the same brush strokes.
5. To reach the inside surfaces of your front teeth, tilt your brush vertically and use gentle, up-and-down strokes ,
   with the head of the brush.
6. Scrub the chewing surfaces of all back teeth.

To keep your smile for a lifetime

Good oral hygiene is a great habit to get into! In addition to having routine oral hygiene appointments, you should brush and floss daily and eat a balanced diet. Keep your smile sparkling for a lifetime!