Lots of people will put off going to see their dental practitioner for a check-up because it is time consuming or inconvenient, too expensive or too nerve-racking. When you put off attending your check-ups you are neglecting your teeth and risk losing them to decay and gum disease.

If you are worrying about your dental hygiene in Orpington then book an appointment to see one of our dental professionals. They will be able to fully assess the condition of your teeth and inform you if you require a scale and polish or if you need to be wary of gingivitis. At Orpington Dental we want you to leave our clinic with a healthy, fresh feeling mouth and strong teeth.

What is a scale and polish?

If you want to improve your dental hygiene in Orpington then having your hygienist carry out a scale and polish is a good place to start. Sometimes plaque can build up in certain areas of your mouth that are hard to reach when you are brushing, and this plaque can harden. Once the plaque has hardened it can thrive off the bacteria that is naturally found in your mouth, and this can lead to things such as gingivitis if it is left untreated.

Your hygienist will use special tools to remove this plaque to make sure that the enamel of your teeth remains undamaged. They will also clean the rest of your mouth, ensuring that there is no plaque build-up within the pockets of your gums, as this can cause the tissue that holds your teeth in place to become weaker over time. This is what damages your gums and prevents them from being able to hold your teeth in place.

Are there any symptoms of bad oral health?

Things such as gingivitis and gum disease do not always come with symptoms. They may be present for months before you eventually notice or until your dental practitioner informs you that you need to improve your dental hygiene in Orpington. Visiting your dental practice regularly will allow your dentist to spot any underlying problems that you have, but there are a few other telltale symptoms that you can look out for too.

If you have red or swollen gums then this is a common sign that something is wrong. Your gums should be a pale pink in colour, and they should not bleed when you brush your teeth either. Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth is a sign of gingivitis and gum disease, and it is recommended that you book an appointment with your practitioner as soon as possible to find out what is going on in your mouth.

Bad breath is another symptom of bad oral health, especially when it does not go away after brushing your teeth and using mouthwash. Having a furry tongue, receding gums or sensitive gums and teeth can all be signs of deteriorating oral hygiene too. In some cases your teeth can even start to become wobbly, as your gums become weaker and no longer hold your teeth as firmly in their places.