Hygiene and Prevention

At Deall Dental we are committed to providing you and your family with the best possible oral care. Achieving this requires regular check-ups and cleans with our friendly team.

You should have your teeth checked and cleaned with a qualified hygienist at least twice a year. These visits are essential in preventing dental problems like periodontal disease and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.

Call today to book with our friendly hygiene team
Dr Malcolm Deall with a patient at her hygiene and prevention dental appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Hygiene appointments involve:

  • Medical history review – Knowing the status of any current medical conditions, new medications, and illnesses, gives us insight to your overall health and also your dental health.
  • Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs) – This is essential for the detection of decay, tumours, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  • Oral cancer screening – We check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer
  • Gum disease evaluation – The gums and bone around the teeth are checked for any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Examination of tooth decay – All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
  • Examination of existing restorations – Current fillings, crowns, etc are checked.
  • Removal of calculus (tartar) – Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for sometime and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
  • Removal of plaque – Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
  • Teeth polishing – Removes stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during toothbrushing and scaling.
  • Oral hygiene recommendations – Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed (electric dental toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.).
  • Review dietary habits – your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health and we are here to offer support and resources to help.

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Periodontal (gum) disease is caused when plaque is not removed correctly. It turns into calculus (tartar) and begins to destroy the gums and bone.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

Toothbrushing

Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with a soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

  • Ensure you brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
  • Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  • Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
  • Don’t forget your tongue! Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are recommended as they are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, but it also disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

  • Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
  • Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
  • Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing

It is important to spit out your tooth paste after brushing but not to rinse it away. Leaving a residue of toothpaste behind bathes your teeth in fluoride for longer providing better protection from tooth decay.

Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces, except in between the teeth. Unfortunately, our toothbrush can’t reach these areas that are highly susceptible to decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, but it also disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

How to floss properly

  • Take approximately 30cm of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 5cm of floss between the hands.
  • Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
  • Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Daily flossing will help you keep a healthy, beautiful smile for life!

When plaque is left on the teeth and gums, periodontal disease. The plaque contains bacteria which produce toxins that inflame the gums and slowly destroy the bone. Brushing and flossing regularly and properly will ensure that plaque is not left behind to do its damage.

Other than poor oral hygiene, there are several other factors that may increase the risk of developing periodontal disease.

Smoking or chewing tobacco

Tobacco users are more likely than nonusers to form plaque and tartar on their teeth.

Certain tooth or appliance conditions

Bridges that no longer fit properly, crowded teeth, or defective fillings that may trap plaque and bacteria.

Many medications

Steroids, cancer therapy drugs, blood pressure meds, oral contraceptives. Some medications have side effects that reduce saliva, making the mouth dry and plaque easier to adhere to the teeth and gums.

Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and puberty

Can cause changes in hormone levels, causing gum tissue to become more sensitive to bacteria toxins.

Systemic diseases

Diabetes, blood cell disorders, HIV / AIDS, etc.

Genetics

Patients with a family history of tooth loss should pay particular attention to their gums and maybe predisposed to a more aggressive type of peridontitis.

Four out of five people that have periodontal disease don’t know they have it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages.

Unlike tooth decay, which often causes discomfort, it is possible to have periodontal disease without noticeable symptoms. Having regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations are very important and will help detect if periodontal problems exist.

Symptoms of peridontal disease

  • Red and puffy gums – Gums should never be red or swollen.
  • Bleeding gums – Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss.
  • Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
  • New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss.
  • Loose teeth – Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibres (fibres that support the tooth to the bone).
  • Pus around the teeth and gums – Sign that there is an infection present.
  • Receding gums – Loss of gum around a tooth.
  • Tenderness or Discomfort – Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.

Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

We offer the full spectrum of general dentistry treatments including: