Dental Hygiene- Preventative Dental Care

Berks County, Reading and Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

Dental hygiene is the preventive dental care which focuses mainly on keeping the mouth clean of bacteria. The most common dental hygiene procedures include cleaning, sealing, polishing, scaling, root planing and radiography. At Dr. Schwartz's Family and Cosmetic Dentistry office in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, dental hygiene is given as much full attention as all of their general dental procedures. The doctor and his team feel that educating their guests about good oral hygiene and preventive measures will aid them in avoiding the need for more in depth procedures and treatment in the future.

The Process of Dental Hygienic Care in the Office
There are five major steps in the process of care that dental hygiene follows:

Assessment is the gathering of all relevant data necessary to make a complete diagnosis.
The hygienic diagnosis is a complete description of the person's condition in order for a hygienist and a dentist to address the case properly.
Planning the techniques that will alleviate symptoms and problems.
Implementing the plan of action for treating problems efficiently.
Evaluation of the work that has been performed.

To ensure proper hygiene, the oral hygiene agenda for a person may be revisited and reevaluated many times over several months or years. Each time you visits the dental office, actions may be altered in order to reflect the changes in the your current condition. Efficient and up-to-date care is the most effective method of planned dental hygiene.

Proper Dental Hygiene at Home
Good dental hygiene should begin with the arrival of your child's first tooth. The sooner you start teaching your child good dental hygiene practices and begin helping them adjust to having regular dental cleanings performed, the better you will be able to instill good dental habits that will last throughout their life. This will also help to avoid difficult dental problems down the road.

Preventive measures begin with wiping your baby's gums and new teeth gently with a damp soft cloth after every feeding. This prevents the build up of bacteria and gets your baby used to having the teeth and gums cleaned. Once teeth begin coming in, you should begin using a soft children's toothbrush twice a day on them.

Once preschool age has been reached, start using a fluoride toothpaste for brushing. Be sure to only use an amount equal to the size of a pea. Small children tend to swallow the toothpaste when they are first learning to brush and this can cause permanent staining of the teeth.

It is important to monitor your child's dental hygiene from baby to teenager. The sooner you instill good oral cleaning habits in them, the more likely that those good habits will carry over into adulthood. In the short amount of time it takes to brush and floss twice a day, you can save your child from future dental problems.

Preventative Services
When you come in to have a cleaning, you can also receive preventative services that can help your teeth stay healthy longer. Although many people think that these services are for children only, adults can also benefit.

Sealant is a coating that protects your teeth against decay. It is painted on your teeth during your visit, and it remains in place until it gradually wears off. In addition, fluoride rinses can be given when you come to the dentist's office for your cleaning. Taking advantage of preventative services can dramatically improve the life and health of your teeth.

To learn more about the importance of good dental hygiene or to schedule an appointment for cleaning or other dental treatment, please contact Dr. David A. Schwartz of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania today.

Phone: 610.670.6910