Dental Hygiene

Maintaining good oral health often comes down to one simple concept: dental hygiene. Making sure that your teeth and gums are healthy depend on the daily oral hygiene routine you follow at home each and every day, and visiting our Austin, TX, office for regular exams and professional cleanings. Many people don’t realize that clean teeth have fewer cavities and are much less prone to gum disease. Why? Both cavities and gum infections are caused by plaque, also known as biofilm. Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that forms around your gums and on your teeth after eating, especially after eating foods high in carbohydrates or sugars. At first, plaque comes off quite easily, but within 48 hours, it hardens into tarter or dental calculus, which is rock hard and very difficult to remove. Brushing and flossing after every meal is the first line of oral hygiene defense, but your regularly scheduled hygiene visit ensures that your teeth stay clean, strong and bacteria-free!

Although regular brushing and flossing at home is vital to good oral health, you’ll never be able to remove all the plaque that builds up on your teeth. Only a trained dental hygienist can do that, which is why regular professional cleanings are so important. Good oral health is much more than having teeth that are free of cavities; it also means having healthy gums. Unfortunately, periodontal disease is an all-too-common problem. If we do find signs of gum disease during your dental hygiene visit, we will discuss your treatment options with you. Treating gum disease without delay is extremely important. There is a direct and critical link between periodontal disease and whole body health. The bacteria present in gum disease can lead to all kinds of systemic problems such as strokes, diabetes and heart attacks. Don’t risk your health! Remember to schedule your dental hygiene visits!