Welcome to Hygiene and Preventative services
For healthy smiles for adults and children, see how our hygienist can help
We all agree that prevention is better than cure and the same rings true for our oral health. Current studies also indicate a stronger correlation between our dental health and its effect on other systemic diseases. Our hygienist plays a vital role in helping you to keep your teeth and gums in good condition.
During your visit, our hygienist will clean your teeth professionally, removing any plaque (a layer of sticky bacteria which causes gum disease). Your teeth will then be polished which helps to prevent further plaque from sticking to them, as well as helping them to look and feel fresh and clean. The hygienist will monitor the health of your gums and the effectiveness of your home oral health care routine, in addition to advising you on the best way to care for your teeth. If you are worried that you are suffering from gum disease, you may need to visit our in-house gum specialist for a consultation.
To make it easy for you to find the products that we recommend for caring for your teeth and gums, we sell them at the practice – just ask at reception or call us on 01491 680412. You can also download own periodontal treatment brochure here.
PREVENTATIVE: DENTAL DECAY, GUM DISEASE AND ORAL CANCER
Prevention is better than intervention.
TOOTH DECAY
Tooth decay or dental caries is a silent disease so problems can occur without you knowing. Oral hygiene and a good diet are essential to preventing decay from forming and progressing. The only way to diagnose dental decay is by visiting your dentist regularly. Through our skill, knowledge and with the help of techniques and equipment like x-rays and magnification, we can ensure we can detect decay and other conditions early. This helps to prevent excessive damage to your teeth, minimising the need to intervene. When cavities are small, they are quicker and less expensive to treat.
GUM DISEASE
Gum disease is a silent progressive disease which can be split into gingivitis (a reversible condition) and periodontal disease (an irreversible condition). Gingivitis usually presents as swollen and bleeding gums. Through good brushing habits: seeing a dentist and hygienist regularly; reduction in habits like smoking; gingivitis can be treated and the symptoms can be reversed.
If left untreated irreversible damage occurs to the bone and supporting tissues around the teeth and eventually leads to tooth loss. Periodontal screening is an important part of your dental examination along with X-rays and should not be underestimated. In some cases depending upon your periodontal disease, you will need to be referred to see a gum specialist (periodontist) which is available here at Byways.
ORAL CANCER
Oral cancer is becoming more prevalent in the UK. Ensuring regular examinations with your dentist allows us the opportunity to assess the risk your mouth can carry and examine your oral cavity and tissues for anything suspicious. Smoking, medical diseases, dietary habits and alcohol consumption can make you more prevalent to developing oral cancer, so it is important we ask you questions about these during your oral health examination to allow us to see where we can help reduce your risk.
