What to Look For In a Houston Hygienist?

One of the best ways to ensure optimal dental health is through a regular routine for oral hygiene. This means that flossing and brushing should occur a few times each day and that at least one “official” cleaning occurs once each year with a skilled and trained dental hygienist. If you are someone who is unhappy with their current dentist in Houston or who is simply trying to get on track with proper dental care, you will want to be very selective about your dental hygienist.

The hygienists at midtown dentistry – your dentist in Houston, will bring specialized skills and knowledge to your treatment. For example, they are up to date on all of the latest equipment and materials used in their trade. They are very communicative with the patient too. This means that anyone looking for a good dentist in Houston will want to ensure that their hygienists follow the same attentive and interactive policies as the doctors.

Judging the Quality of Your Routine Teeth Cleaning and Your Houston Dental Hygienist

Consider Midtown Dentistry, we place an emphasis on the quality of communication between our office and you. There is always going to be an exchange of information that allows the dental professional to make the best treatment plans for the individual patient. The same can be said about the hygienists in the office.

When looking for a hygienist it is always going to be essential to consider this type of open-minded and active communication because it is going to be necessary if dental problems are to be addressed properly. For instance, someone heading to their dentist in Houston may be experiencing some earaches, but feel that this is unrelated to any sort of dental problem. A good hygienist will scrutinize the teeth for signs of things like grinding and bruxism, and this might connect something like a chronic ear ache with the need for night guards or therapies to end the destructive grinding habit.

It is also important to work only with a hygienist who is willing to “coach” the patient on the proper behaviors too. For example, a good practitioner will show a patient the proper way to brush or floss, will discuss the need for antibacterial rinses, and will generally work with a patient to develop a routine for the best dental health possible. This includes recommending specific treatments from the dentist if necessary.

Find out more about what you should be looking for in a good Houston dental hygienist.

What is Fluoride Treatment?

Fluoride treatment is a very effective way of helping to prevent tooth decay. It is a mineral that is found naturally in food and water supplies, and the benefits are well known as it was originally added to the public water supply 60 years ago in carefully controlled amounts. There are two ways of obtaining fluoride:

Systemic fluoride

Systemic fluoride is the fluoride found in food and water and helps to strengthen teeth that are already erupted, and those which are still developing. It can also be taken as a supplement and in gel form and is often prescribed by a doctor or dentist. It’s very important not to ingest too much fluoride while teeth are still developing as this may cause a condition called fluorosis. Fluorosis is visible as white flecks on the teeth, and children between the ages of one and four are most vulnerable to developing fluorosis while those aged eight and over are at much lower risk.

Topical fluoride

A topical application of fluoride can help teeth that are already erupted by penetrating the outer surface of tooth enamel and increasing resistance to decay. Fluoride is found in toothpaste, mouthwashes and gels, and it’s quite possible that your dentist or hygienist may recommend a professional fluoride treatment during dental checkups. This might take the form of a specialized mouthwash, or a gel that can be applied into a dental tray which is then inserted into the mouth and left for a short period of time.

Find out more about fluoride treatments and why you need them.

Flossing the Right Way, Every Day

Flossing is a vital part of your daily oral hygiene routine, and although it may be tempting to skip it there are several good reasons why you shouldn’t, and your teeth will thank you by sticking around for longer.

Simply put, flossing is essential because it helps to remove food debris that can get caught between teeth. Mouths are full of bacteria called Streptococcus mutans which love to feed off the food particles left in your mouth, and in doing so they form a film over the teeth which is called plaque.
Acid is formed as a byproduct of this process and this attacks teeth causing them to de-mineralize, leaving them more susceptible to decay.

Learn how to floss correctly and the types of dental floss.

how do you keep your teeth feeling clean and healthy between dentist visits?