A Visit to Your Dental Hygienist Keeps Your Mouth Healthy in Ways You May Not Realize! It is definitely more than "just a cleaning"
Although it’s no surprise that a dental cleaning is good for your mouth, there are many things your dental hygienist and dentist are doing during your cleaning that you might not be aware of.
Your dental hygienist can prevent future smile health problems. This includes removal of plaque and/or tartar, as well as fluoride application, polishing teeth, stain removal, sealants (for children) and the cleaning or adjusting of dentures. Without these simple preventative measures, issues that are easily avoidable may manifest because of lack of care. Your dental hygienist also provides valuable health education insights.
But it doesn't stop there!
Your dentist and dental hygienist help identify oral health problems, such as:
- Oral cancer
- Periodontal disease
- Issues like teeth grinding, which can cause headaches or TMJ problems.
- Tooth decay
Many patients see their dentist or hygienist more often than they see their primary care physician, so it's no surprise that your dentist or hygienist can detect serious health issues you may be unaware of!
A significant number of health issues have an oral component! Although a visit to your dental hygienist and dentist won’t replace a medical examination, we may be able to identify changes in a patient’s dental health that indicates a more serious health problem. A few examples include:
-Diabetes, the possibility of which may be identified by severe pocketing of the gums
-Heart Disease, which can be aggravated by unmanaged periodontal disease
-Kidney Disease, with symptoms including bad breath, an unpleasant or metallic taste in the mouth, and/or dry mouth.
-Anxiety & Stress, which can have a direct affect on your oral health, making you more susceptible to periodontal disease and gum infection. Not to mention stress-induced teeth grinding!
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