Oral Hygiene

Basic Cleaning

Depending on your dental history, you should visit Advanced Dental Arts every three months, six months, or once a year. Our friendly dental hygienists will perform the basic teeth cleaning, followed by a thorough check up from Dr. Othman. X-Rays will be taken, when needed, at your basic cleaning appointment to reveal any cavities or other dental issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Importance of a Regular Basic Cleaning

Practicing good oral hygiene, including a regular visit to Advanced Dental Arts for a basic teeth cleaning, is like changing the oil in your car. If you do it regularly, it prevents costly and painful problems in the future.

The procedures performed during a basic cleaning remove any substrate or particles on teeth that bacteria feed on and produce a byproduct that causes cavities. Regularly brushing and flossing cannot always remove this substrate. If a small cavity is present in a tooth, but is not properly taken care of, the cavity may eat its way into the nerve of the tooth and a costly root canal or tooth extraction may have to be performed.

“I encourage everyone, from toddlers to people with dentures, to have their teeth checked regularly at a basic cleaning. The last thing we want is for someone to lose their teeth because of improper oral hygiene practices.” -Dr. Othman

Medical Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene

Doctors and medical researchers agree that poor oral hygiene is contributive to a number of systemic diseases including heart attack, stroke, diabetes, inflammation, and infection. Recent studies suggest a link between poor oral hygiene and an increased risk of HPV infection.

Home Hygiene

Dr. Othman and his staff care about his patients’ overall health and are passionate about educating people about good oral hygiene practices at home. Click here to learn about proper brushing and flossing techniques, and other important home hygiene tips from Dr. Othman.

Contact Us Today to Schedule a Basic Cleaning Appointment

Sealants

Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often.

Sealant Procedure

Sealants are easy for your dentist or dental hygienist to apply. The sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and may last several years before reapplication is needed. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.