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Good oral hygiene and how it can help you

It is very important to have a good dental hygiene routine and to visit our dentist Navan on a regular basis. It is recommended that you visit our dentist at least every six months, however if you are prone to dental issues or at high risk then it is recommended that you visit more frequently. Brushing your teeth effectively, flossing after meals and using a good mouthwash will help promote healthy teeth and gums. However it is important to have regular check-ups with our dentist to make sure that your dental hygiene routine is effective and that plaque and tartar are not building up in those hard-to-reach areas.

The effects of plaque and tartar

Plaque is the sticky layer which continuously forms on the surface of your teeth. Bacteria thrive on plaque and when they come into contact with sugary foods they secrete acids which cause further damage to your teeth. If plaque remains on the teeth and is not removed using effective brushing then it can lead to the formation of tartar. Tartar leads to the build up of further plaque. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing alone and requires a visit to your dentist Navan and an appointment with the hygienist. Regular visits to your dentist and follow-up appointments with the hygienist can help prevent the building up of plaque and tartar on your teeth. If plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on the surface of your teeth then eventually they result in cavities and tooth decay, these are issues which over a period of time can result in gingivitis, infection of the gums and periodontitis which is an infection of the surrounding structures of the teeth. If not stopped eventually gingivitis and periodontitis can result in tooth loss. Regular visits to your dentist Navan will make sure that any tartar build-up is removed before it can cause detriment to your teeth and gums, and will also help detect any signs of disease very early on to allow simple and successful treatment and prevent complications in the future.

Visiting your hygienist

Visiting your hygienist is an important form of preventive dentistry. The appointment involves a full examination of your teeth and gums to make sure that they are free of any disease,  followed by a professional clean of your mouth. Professional cleaning by the hygienist is also known as a scale and polish. A scale and polish uses different techniques that are employed to remove the tartar from your teeth. Tartar can build up on the back of your teeth and around the gum lines and requires specialist equipment, including hand-held instruments and ultrasonic instruments, to effectively remove from those difficult to reach areas. Following the scaling, when your hygienist is happy that any tartar build-up has been removed from your teeth, the hygienist will polish your teeth using professional polishing tools which help remove staining and discoloration of your enamel and leave you with a clean, brighter and whiter smile. Speak to us at Navan Dental and book an appointment with your dentist to make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy and find out about visiting your hygienist too for better oral health and overall well being. We accept medical card holders too!