National Dental Hygiene Month

Each year, the month of October carries the designation of National Dental Hygiene Month.  All month long, we will focus on the importance of both dental hygiene and our wonderful dental hygienists.  Why a whole month, you may ask?  Because dental hygiene is the most important aspect of great oral health!

The Importance of Dental Hygiene

More than 90% of dental disease is preventable, and the most effective method of prevention is great dental hygiene.  The biggest cause of both cavities and gum disease is dental plaque.  Plaque is the soft, sticky, white buildup that accumulates on the teeth all day every day.  It contains disease-causing bacteria, food debris, and exfoliated cells from the tissue lining the inside of the mouth.

The problem with so many people experiencing cavities and/or gum disease is not that plaque is difficult to remove from the teeth and gums.  Plaque is relatively easy to remove with great brushing and flossing techniques.  The problem is that most people simply do not do it.

By bringing awareness to how important and how simple great dental hygiene is, we hope to convince you that a good consistent routine is worth your time and effort.

Practicing great dental hygiene at home costs little to nothing and has a big payoff in the amount of money it saves you from spending with your dentist.  Not only does it save you money!  It saves you time in the dental chair for extensive dental treatments necessary to repair the diseases that occur when you do not practice good dental hygiene.

Most people do not enjoy long dental visits.  When you prevent dental disease with great oral hygiene, you are also preventing the need for dental treatment that causes you significant anxiety or discomfort.  You also prevent severe dental problems that lead to dangerous and painful toothaches.

By implementing a consistent dental hygiene routine to your daily schedule, you can save yourself money, time, anxiety and pain in less than ten minutes a day!

The Importance of Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists are an essential part of the dental practice team.  When you commit to consistent dental visits, you actually end up spending far more time with your hygienist than with your dentist, and that is a GOOD thing!

Dental hygienists provide valuable preventive treatments in the form of professional teeth cleanings, dental sealants, and application of fluoride.  They educate our patients to understand areas for improvement in their specific oral hygiene regimen.  They identify and explain risk factors for a patient’s unique oral health situation.

Dental hygienists play an integral role in the treatment and maintenance of gum disease.  Patients who suffer from periodontal disease need to maintain both a high level of home care as well as a consistent schedule with the dental hygienist.  It is impossible to overcome the progressive nature of gum disease without the help of a dental hygienist.

More Questions about Dental Hygiene?

Call Timberlake Dental at 940-382-1750 and schedule a visit with one of our wonderful dental hygienists.  They can answer any question you have about your own dental hygiene or their roles in helping you manage dental disease.  We are so grateful for the wonderful registered dental hygienists on the Timberlake team.