Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene, also known as oral hygiene, is the process by which preventative dental care is provided to avoid dental emergencies. At the core of dental hygiene is the in-home dental care regimen that you perform. Next is the professional preventative dental care provided by dentists and licensed dental hygienists. While you are responsible for day-to-day dental maintenance, dental hygienists play an integral role in preventative oral care in conjunction with the work of general dentists, family dentists, and cosmetic dentists.
Tooth brushing alone will not remove accumulated calculus (also called tartar or plaque) that builds up over time. It must be removed to avoid losing your teeth, as well as having to experience toothaches, cavities, root canals, tooth extractions, bridges, crowns, periodontal disease, and more.

Getting to the Root of Dental Hygiene

Over time, calculus builds up on the teeth. If calculus forms below the gum line, bacteria can form, creating a host of other dental problems. Furthermore, each tooth has several surfaces and areas between the teeth and under the gum line that must be maintained and treated on a regular basis in order to ensure proper dental hygiene. These areas are impossible for you to examine yourself.
Dental hygienists are often responsible for performing professional tooth cleaning, scraping hardened plaque (tartar), removing calculus deposits, taking x-rays, identifying changes in the bite (occlusion), investigating components that relate to the bone, and setting up the nitrous oxide (laughing gas) that is used for more invasive treatment, when necessary.
Your dentist works with your hygienist by further examining the teeth, mouth, and gums to provide any necessary treatment for tooth decay or periodontal disease. Regular dental visits are critical for dental hygiene at any age. The ADA recommends that patients visit with their dentist and dental hygienist a minimum of two times each year to maintain proper dental hygiene.