Oral Health and Hygiene

Did you know?

  • Tooth decay is the most common reason 6–10-year-olds are admitted to hospital in the UK
  • 25% of adults don’t brush twice a day
  • 84% of adults have one or more fillings
  • 1 in 3 people have never flossed or interdentally cleaned
  • 8 out of 10 people aged 35 and over suffer from mild to severe gum disease

Source: Oral Health Foundation and European Federation of Periodontology (EFP)

Good oral hygiene is vital for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It is also important for your overall health and wellbeing, with increasing evidence of a link between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

The earlier you adopt good oral hygiene habits — such as brushing, interdental cleaning, and limiting your sugar intake — the easier it is to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health issues. That is why we put so much emphasis on preventative dentistry at Torrington Dental Practice.

Oral health education appointments

A 30-minute appointment with one of our Oral Health Education Team, can set children up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, and significantly reduce the adult health risks associated with gum disease. The team goes back to basics with lots of practical tips on how to clean your teeth, what kind of toothbrush offers the best results, dietary information, and more. You might also be offered a disclosing session, which involves chewing a tablet for 30 seconds. The tablet contains a harmless vegetable dye which then shows up any plaque on your teeth – the results can be quite a surprise!   Call reception today on 01805 623657 to book your oral health check-up.

Hygienist appointments

The role of our Hygiene team is, first and foremost, to help you develop an optimal home care routine which is vital for the long-term stability of your oral health.  They will provide you with a tailored oral hygiene regime, based on your needs. They will also ensure you are comfortable with performing this at home, regularly reassessing your progress with you.  Professional treatment involves removing any harmful bacteria under the gum line and within the pockets with the use of ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments.

Combining regular hygienist appointments with your own home care is the best way to prevent tooth decay and loss, maintain healthy gums, and ensure fresher breath. The Hygiene team work closely with The Oral Health Education team to help you establish an effective hygiene routine. Call reception today on 01805 623657 to book your hygiene appointment.

Oral health care in the community

As part of our commitment to promoting effective oral hygiene in the local community, The Oral Health Education Team also pays regular visits to local infant and junior schools where early intervention can have the biggest impact on maintaining health teeth and gums for life. They also attend care homes to instruct care staff on oral health and hygiene for the elderly who are particularly susceptible to pain, disturbed sleep and health problems caused by gum disease and tooth decay. From fun ways to engage children with teeth cleaning, to brushing aids for those with dexterity problems, the team has a wealth of expert practical advice to impart. For more information call reception on 01805 623657.

Visit EFP’s Oral Health and Gum Hub for expert information on checking the state of your gums, and what you can do to improve your oral and overall health.

You can also find a wealth of oral heath tips and advice at the Oral Health Foundation.

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