19 December 2016
Retain Your Smile With Manchester Dental Hygiene and Therapy
While many patients see orthodontic treatments such as braces Manchester and restorative treatments including dental implants Manchester as important, they tend to place less emphasis on ongoing dental hygiene. Unfortunately the reality is that most patients will defer having Manchester dental hygiene and therapy until it becomes urgent. However, if you really want to retain your great looking smile, the latter is just as important.
Dentists normally offer a 6-12 month window between check-ups, but to make sure that your teeth and gums remain in tip-top condition you might need to visit the dentist more regularly. By prioritising your Manchester dental hygiene and therapy you’re less likely to run into problems in the future.
So what exactly is hygiene and therapy treatment and how can it help?
Most patients are all too familiar with the ‘hygiene’ part of this treatment as it’s part of their normal everyday check-up. This is where any excess plaque is removed from in and around the teeth, followed by the normal polishing and examinations. This treatment has two purposes. Firstly, it keeps down the levels of calculus which can build up between the teeth causing problems and secondly, by attending regular visits, the dentist can spot any problems early and deal with them before they escalate.
The second part known as ’tissue’ or ‘periodontal therapy’ is carried out when patients show an advanced state of gum disease. This includes bleeding gums, signs of bone loss, and tartar build-up below the gum line. For these reasons patients undergo what’s known as deep de-scaling. This involves smoothing out the rough spots located in the visible tooth root which removes all traces of bacteria. This type of procedure also needs to be carried out before patients undergo dental implants in Manchester. The reason being that in order to ensure the success of implanted teeth, the gums need to be healthy and free from bacteria. If the gums are unhealthy, implants can’t be fitted. In most cases if the teeth are sensitive, patients are usually offered a mild anaesthetic so no pain will be felt.
A course of Manchester dental hygiene and therapy can usually be completed within 60 minutes. However for more severe dental cases, sessions can be broken up into sections where the hygienist will work within dental quadrants in the mouth. This is normally carried out over 3 or 4 sessions.
So how often should you really visit your dental hygienist?
There is much evidence to suggest that patients at higher risk of gum disease should visit their hygienist every three to four months. These include…
Diabetic patients
Pregnant women
Those with weakened immune systems
Those currently fighting periodontal problems
Smokers
Cavity/plaque prone patients
Patients who have poor nutrition
Those on certain medications
If you fit into one of these categories or are worried about how often you should see your Manchester dental hygiene and therapy specialist, then contact Church Road Dental and Cosmetics today. Our friendly team are on hand and can advise you on all aspects of oral health including orthodontic braces Manchester, Dental Implants Manchester and preventative measures such as hygiene visits. Call us today on 0161 486 0743 to find out more.