In the same way that more lives have been saved by plumbers than doctors, dental hygiene Orpington has saved more teeth than our dentist. Let’s find out how!

You’re probably aware of the daily routines of oral hygiene, but why are they important? What do they actually do? How does oral hygiene relate to oral health and decay?

Mouth biome

The human mouth is a surprisingly busy multi-ecosystem biome; for the bacteria that live inside your mouth, it is their whole world. To them, the tongue surface is a jungle of taste buds beneath a layer of salivary mucus. The edge of an incisor is a windswept cliff, and the crevices between each tooth are sheltered sanctuaries for proliferation and prosperity.

Decay

The decaying process starts when anaerobically respiring bacteria find a safe haven next to the enamel, and as they digest sugars, they release lactic acid as a waste product. In isolated areas with a limited flow of saliva, lactic acid can build up. When the acid reaches critical concentrations, it chemically affects the crystallised calcium that makes up the outer surface of the tooth, reducing it to a soluble compound that can be washed away by the saliva. This creates a dent in the surface of the tooth, giving better shelter to the bacteria. As this process repeats itself, the colonies that form over multiple generations bore deeper into the tooth.

Gum disease

Gum disease occurs as bacteria begin to enter the gum tissue itself. The outer skin of the gum is very porous, and when bacteria begin to grow in the gum tissue, the immune response is triggered, which calls white blood cells into the area to manage the infection. Once inflamed, the tissue will have a greater blood flow making it darker, and because of the porous nature of the gums, minor bleeding can occur.

If the infection is not cleared up with proper dental hygiene Orpington, the constant inflammation and continuous duel between multiplying bacteria and white blood cells will cause tissue damage, making the gum sore and spongy as the connective proteins between the cells are broken down. This can cause the entire gum to recede, eventually exposing the teeth roots and leaving them without the necessary support required. The teeth may then become loose and eventually fall out, even if the roots themselves do not experience decay.

Cleaning in the clinic

Not all dental hygiene Orpington can be performed at home. Once tartar has built up, the calcified and hardened plaque cannot be removed at home. This is where a scale-and-polish comes in, being the primary tool of our hygienist; beyond their general guidance and education, a scale-and-polish is their primary weapon in saving teeth. Tartar acts as a stronghold for bacteria in the mouth. Its rough texture and many crevices allow bacteria to grow, safe from brushing and mouthwashes. Once the tartar is removed, the teeth are far harder to attack as there is simply no perch for bacteria to establish themselves on.