Why Oral Hygiene?

Oral hygiene and routine teeth cleanings - the foundation of modern dentistry

Cavities and gum disease can be reduced and prevented with regular teeth cleaning and proper dental care at home. Cavities and gingivitis are caused by bacteria which remain when your teeth are not properly cleaned. Over time plaque calcifies and turns into tartar..

Our teeth cleaning goal

Visualize, in a dry environment and remove all plaque and tartar under magnification.

Die Mundhygiene / Prophylaxe wird daher in unserer Praxis mit dem Mikroskop durchgeführt und umfasst alle vorbeugenden

It is for this reason that we perform all our dental cleanings with the help of a microscope, helping to provide you with lasting heath for your gums and teeth, from childhood on.

To better understand why oral care at home and routine teeth cleanings are so important, here is an explanation of gingivitis - paradontitis- gum recession - bone loss or paradontosis.

The roots of a healthy tooth are attached to the bone by a ligament (periodontal ligament) that acts as a cushion. Healthy gingiva surrounding the teeth usually creates a pocket of about 1.5mm. You can read how deep gingival pockets develop in the section  “How to keep your smile healthy for the rest of your life”.

Why are gingival pockets such a concern?

Gingival pockets are the ideal environment for bacterial growth (37 degree celsius, moist and anaerobic (no oxygen)). They are impossible to clean at home. The deeper the pocket (i.e. 6mm as seen in Image 2.) the higher the bacterial load. With each meal that you eat, more food material ends up in these pockets providing additional food for the bacteria sustaining further growth. As the bacterial load increases, the bone surrounding your teeth decreases and eventually your teeth loosen. Left untreated, tooth removal is certain.

“I don’t think I have this kind of problem.”

Unfortunately, only a luck few never develop gingivitis - genetics, the luck of the draw! Most, if not all, should be focused on proper dental care and the use of interdental brushes. A majority of people will develop gingivitis and periodontal disease. To the surprise of most, the early stages of gingivitis and periodontitis do not hurt or cause discomfort. By the time you can ‘feel it’, it is most likely very advanced.

Can you check if you have gingivitis?

Yes. You can test whether your gums are healthy by using interdental brushes. If your gums start to bleed during or after use, you belong to the 99% of people that have an infection in their mouth and were unaware of it.

In general, it is possible to keep the front (buccal) and back (lingual) sides of your teeth clean (with a toot brush). The space between each tooth (interdental space) however cannot be properly cleaned with a tooth brush alone. While daily use of dental floss aids in preventing new cavities, it is only with interdental brushes that teeth and the surrounding gums are properly cleaning and bacteria removed thoroughly. It is important to always use the largest possible interdental brush for each interdental space.

We will inform you if we diagnose any dental disease that requires additional treatment beyond a teeth cleaning. We will consult or collaborate with your dentist to provide the best possible treatment for you.