A hygiene appointment is not just a cleaning. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best oral health investment one can make is a regular appointment with one of our highly skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated dental hygienists. These New York State-licensed dental professionals are specially trained in preventive dental care. They are here to help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health. Once you have completed any dental care, from simple fillings or crowns, to implants and cosmetic surgery, the hygienist will help you maintain the new restorations for years and years to come. Our hygienists, like everyone in our practice, are dedicated to continuing education at the highest level. We encourage each hygienist to attend multiple continuing education courses every year (beyond the minimum required by law) in order to ensure that our patients continue to receive the very best care. You may request to see the same hygienist at each visit. A relationship and rapport develops, and the hygienist becomes familiar with your dental history and your individual needs. During every appointment with the hygienist the patient is examined by a doctor.

Benefits of the routine checkups and cleanings:

• Studies show that patients who are consistent with routine cleanings are more likely to have healthier bone and gums and to keep their teeth significantly longer.
• Many conditions are detected and treated before they can become unpleasant, time-consuming, costly and potentially dangerous problems.
• Poor oral health can have serious implications on your cardio vascular wellbeing and general health.
• Poor oral health can affect your ability to properly chew and digest your food, leading to serious nutritional and systemic problems.
• Poor oral health can affect your appearance and your self-esteem.

What one can expect during the hygiene visit?

• During your first visit, our hygieniests will review and assess your overall health history to determine if there are any existing medical conditions that could have an impact on your treatment.
• At each subsequent visit they assess your overall oral health and note any changes.
• They are specially trained and qualified to administer local anaesthesia to eliminate discomfort during the treatment.
• Screen for oral cancer and oral lesions.
• Screen for oral symptoms of other serious illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes.
• Look for problems, including cavaties and gum disease that can be treated before they become much more serious.
• Teach, review and reinforce the techniques of good oral hygiene, including effective brushing and flossing (see instructions below).
• Take digital radiographs.
• Remove hard and soft deposits (calculus and plaque-which contains bacteria) both below and above the gum line.
• Polish teeth.
• Apply cavity-preventative agents, including fluoride wherever needed.
• Place the antibiotic containing minocycline (Arestin) wherever required due to development of the peridontal pockets.
• Apply desensitizers to sensitive teeth.
• Counsel on the link between diet and nutrition and oral health.
• Work with you to develop a personalized oral health plan.
• Take impressions for study models and night guards.
• Counsel on electric tooth brushes, bleaching and invisalign.

We believe our dental hygienists play an essential role in our patients' oral health and wellbeing.

How Can one prevent tooth decay?

• Brush twice a day, and floss at least once a day before going to sleep.
• Use additional cleaning supplements as recommended by your dentist.
• Have regular dental check-ups, at least twice a year.
• Eat a healthy diet, low in sugars and acidic foods.
• Fluoride treatments help make teeth more resistant to decay.
• Sealants, applied to children's teeth, help prevent tooth decay in deep grooves and pits.

Brushing

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth and the surface of each tooth. It will take two minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth, and the outside, inside, and chewing surface of all of your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse.

As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. Do not swallow any toothpaste; rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing. It is important to carefully floss and brush daily for optimal oral hygiene.


HOME CARE

Flossing

For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can't reach, dental floss is used to remove food particles and plaque. Dental floss is a thin thread of nylon or gortex that is used to reach below the gum line and clean between teeth. It is very important to floss between your teeth every day.

Pull a small length of floss from the dispenser. Wrap the ends of the floss tightly around your middle fingers. Guide the floss between all teeth to the gum line, pulling out any food particles or plaque. Unwrap clean floss from around your fingers as you go, so that you have used the floss from beginning to end when you finish. Floss behind all of your back teeth.

Floss at night to make sure your teeth are squeaky clean before you go to bed. When you first begin flossing, your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times, let a staff member know at your next appointment.

For some patients, we recommend adjuncts to manual brushing and flossing. We endorse the use of power toothbrushes as certain brands are much gentler than handheld brushes and are much more effective in removing plaque. We highly recommend the use of the "Sonicare" toothbrush that can be purchased in retail stores or at our office (to find more information on Sonicare toothbrush please visit the website www.sonicare.com).