Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth clean. Oral hygiene is considered to be the best means of prevention of cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, periodontitis, and other dental disorders. It also helps to prevent bad breath (halitosis). Oral hygiene is necessary for all persons to maintain the health of their teeth and mouth. Healthy teeth will have fewer cavities and when kept clean will have minimal or no plaque deposits. Healthy gums are pink and firm. Oral hygiene requires both personal and professional care.

Personal Care of Your Teeth

Careful and frequent toothbrushing and flossing help to prevent build-up of plaque and calculus (tartar), which can lead to cavities. Special appliances or tools may be recommended by your oral hygienist at Smilebuilderz in Lancaster PA, to supplement (but not to replace) toothbrushing and flossing. Initially electric toothbrushes were only recommended for persons who have problems with strength or dexterity of their hands, but many dentists are now recommending them to many other patients in order to improve their home dental care.

Child Oral Hygiene

Cavity prevention is not the only concern parents should have when considering their children’s oral hygiene. Recent studies show that periodontal disease continues to plague millions of Americans, including children.

The best way to ensure that your child does not get cavities or gingivitis is to instill proper oral habits early. Good oral hygiene routines should be established as early as infancy and continued throughout life.

Tips for Children and Good Oral Hygiene:

• Even before teeth begin to erupt, thoroughly clean your infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant washcloth or gauze pad to stimulate the gum tissue and remove food. When the baby's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
• A small amount of fluoridated toothpaste will help to inhibit decay. Fluoride is also found in mouth rinses, community water supplies, and in some foods.
• At age two or three, you can begin to teach your child proper brushing techniques. But remember, you will need to follow up with brushing and gentle flossing until age even or eight, when the child has the dexterity to do it alone.
• Schedule your child's first oral hygiene appointment at Smilebuilderz in Lancaster PA starting around their first birthday. Your professional oral hygienist will check for cavities in the primary teeth and watch for developmental problems. We’re sure that your child’s first experience at the Smilebuilderz dental office will be very positive experience for you and your child. Our professional office staff and dental team have created a very calm and relaxing environment to welcome you. We have educational toys, a 600 gallon aquarium and wide screen television readily available.

Adolescent Oral Hygiene

Good nutrition and oral hygiene care practiced at home are particularly important during the teen years. Proper diet, brushing, and flossing play an important role in maintaining a healthy smile and preserving teeth during these challenging years.

Cavities and periodontal disease can be a threat to teens as well as adults. Recent survey results show that bleeding gums were most prevalent among adolescents and three-fourths of 13 to 17 year-olds had gums that bled.

Tips for Adolescents and Good Oral Hygiene:

• Be sure to brush thoroughly after meals whenever possible, and floss daily. Busy schedules and activities can encourage snacking. That is why choosing a proper diet will help you to maintain and preserve your teeth.
• If you wear orthodontic braces, pay special attention to keeping spaces between the teeth and arch wires clean by using floss threaders. Orthodontic toothbrushes are specially designed to make cleaning teeth and braces easier.
• If you participate in contact sports, you may want to ask our Smildebuilderz oral hygienist about having a mouth guard fitted during your oral care visit. Mouth guards assist in providing protection against dental injuries

Adult Oral Hygiene

The hectic pace of today's adult lifestyle often leaves little time for the daily oral hygiene routine needed to prevent cavities and periodontal disease. This is unfortunate since periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. An estimated 75% of Americans reportedly have some form of periodontal disease.

Early detection of periodontal disease reduces the risk of permanent damage to teeth and gums and can prevent more extensive and costly treatment in later years. Regular visits with our professional oral hygienist at Smilebuilderz in Lancaster PA, will help you learn more about proper care for your teeth and gums helping you to avoid gingivitis – the early stage of periodontal disease.

Senior Oral Hygiene

Recent surveys show that ninety percent of adults have, on average, 23.5 teeth. Almost a third of adults have all 28 teeth, and fifty percent age 55 and older wear partial or complete dentures. But whether caring for original teeth or dentures, seniors face a range of special oral concerns, including root decay and periodontal disease. You can keep your smile healthy by following a routine of proper oral hygiene and making regular visits with your dental hygienist and dentist at Smildebuilderz in Lancaster PA.

If you have arthritis or limited use of your hands, try adapting the toothbrush for easy use. Insert the handle into a rubber ball or sponge hair curler; or glue the toothbrush handle into a bicycle grip. Toothbrush handles can be lengthened with a piece of wood or plastic such as a ruler, ice cream bar stick or tongue depressor.

For people who have dexterity problems and cannot use a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush may be easier to use. Numerous studies confirm that electric brushes are excellent plaque removing devices and are extremely effective in stimulating gums. Dental floss holders are also available.

Daily brushing and flossing will protect your smile from two common problems: Root decay--a condition that affects older adults if a great amount of root surfaces are exposed--and tooth decay caused by the weakening or chipping of older fillings.

Denture care and cleaning

Dentures—full or partial—should be brushed daily with a soft toothbrush or denture cleaning brush, using a commercially prepared denture powder or paste, hand soap, or baking soda. Toxic or abrasive household cleaners should never be used. Dentures should be brushed inside and outside, and rinsed with cool water.

Remaining natural teeth and gums, especially those teeth supporting a partial denture, should also be brushed.

When not in use, dentures should be covered with water or a denture cleaning solution to prevent drying.

Professional care

Regular tooth cleaning by our dentists or dental hygienist at Smilebuilderz in Lancaster PA is important to remove plaque that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult for a patient to reach on his own at home. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing and debridement if too much tartar has accumulated. This involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth.

More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during the treatment of many of the dental/oral disorders. Routine examination of the teeth is recommended at least every year. This may include yearly, select dental X-rays. However, in between cleanings by our dentists or dental hygienist, everyone must have good oral hygiene to support the professional care you will receive at Smilebuilderz in Lancaster PA.