How does your oral hygiene scrub up? Good dental hygiene is vital to maintaining your oral health. Many common dental problems, including gum disease and tooth decay, can be prevented with good oral hygiene.

At Benhill Dental Practice we are passionate about preventative dentistry, which is why we are always keen to stress the importance of a strong oral hygiene routine. Good dental health involves team work, combining regular visits to your dentist and hygienist with stringent home practices.

We recommend that most patients visit the dentist for a check-up and they hygienist for a scale and polish every six months. In some cases – for example if you have gum disease and your treatment needs monitoring – we will want to see you more frequently, and you should always follow your dentist’s recommendations.

Our hygienist, Debbie, will professionally clean your teeth with a scale and polish. This involves using special equipment and pastes to remove all traces of plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth. Plaque and tartar build-up can lead to the development of gum disease, which if left untreated can ultimately lead to your teeth falling out.

Debbie will also provide bespoke advice on how best to look after your teeth at home. This will include tips on brushing techniques, flossing and using interdental brushes to clean in between your teeth effectively. This advice will be presented in an individualised, age-appropriate manner – Debbie runs a special Toothy Pegs Club for children to help them learn the importance of good dental hygiene in a fun way.

She will also advise on how dietary and lifestyle factors, such as drinking too much fruit juice or smoking, can affect your dental health, and offer advice on how to develop more tooth-friendly habits.