Dental hygiene

“A smile is the key to everyone's heart.”
E.J.D Angelo

Professional dental hygiene

Good dental and gum health

Patients with good dental and gum health should visit a dental hygienist at least once a year as a preventive procedure. Visiting a dental hygienist is very important in order to keep your teeth and gums in good condition on a regular basis.

 

During the dental hygiene procedure, the dental hygienist cleans all hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity using special dental instruments and medical products, eliminating harmful plaque bacteria and tartar. At the end of the procedure, the teeth are treated with a soda jet to give the teeth a whitening effect. Visiting a dental hygienist allows the patient to regularly monitor the health of his teeth and keep his teeth healthy. Dental hygiene should be performed even more often in patients with severe heart disease and diabetes, because these people have and develop dental plaque more frequently.

Poor dental and gum health

Poor oral hygiene, unhealthy teeth and gums contribute to the spread of infections in the oral cavity. Caused by unhealthy diet, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and poor oral hygiene. All these risk factors can be diagnosed in time by visiting a hygienist once or twice a year.

Damages and gum diseases detected in time allow the specialist to help the patient restore the condition of the teeth more quickly and easily. If patients do not pay timely attention to the condition and diseases of their teeth, the treatment process will be prolonged and more expensive.

Dental hygiene procedure

  • The dental hygienist assesses the condition of the patient's teeth;
  • for control purposes, the depth of the patient's gum pockets is checked to determine whether the patient has receding gums - periodontosis;
  • with special dental instruments, the dental hygienist removes dental plaque and eliminates tartar;
  • performs the removal of the black pigment of the teeth;
  • removes subgingival plaque;
  • teeth polishing with soda jet;
  • covering teeth with fluoride application;
  • recommendations on proper dental care for adults and children, choosing the most suitable dental care products!

Dental plaque

Dental plaque is a soft mass that is formed from food remains and accumulates in the mouth mainly along the edges of the gums at the necks of the teeth, between the teeth and in the grooves (fissures) of the teeth on the biting surface.

 

Certain foods, such as sweets and flour products, black tea and coffee increase plaque formation. Smoking also has a negative effect on the health of the teeth - under the influence of nicotine, dental plaque is formed more, and the teeth acquire a yellowish-brown shade (coffee has a similar effect).
Tartar forms much more and more often in people who smoke. It is much easier for tartar to stick to soft plaque, which cannot be removed by brushing or flossing.

 

If dental plaque is not removed in time, it hardens and turns into tartar due to the action of bacteria, damaging the tooth enamel and contributing to the enlargement of gum pockets. As a result, the patient may develop dental caries, as well as serious gum diseases - gingivitis and periodontitis. If not treated in time, the mentioned diseases can lead to tooth mobility and later complete tooth loss.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis – inflamed, bleeding gums, swelling and redness of the gums indicate periodontitis – gum disease.

 

Are you experiencing symptoms like:

bleeding gums, that is one of the main signs that something is wrong in the oral cavity;

tooth movement, that indicates periodontitis has eaten away a significant part of the bone tissue. As a result, the tooth loses its stability, begins to move and may be lost, because the tooth no longer has a place to hold in the gum;

swollen and red gums, gum swelling and an unusually bright red color indicate active inflammation.

 

Periodontitis can increase the sensitivity of the teeth and gums, but if allowed, it signals itself with purulent discharge. To detect periodontitis, you can contact your dental hygienist for a visit!

Important notice

Oral hygiene is essential before every visit to the dentist. When planning a visit to the dentist, first visit your dental hygienist who will perform a full oral hygiene. In order for the dentist to be able to detect external defects and damage in tooth enamel - they must be clean!

Dental hygiene for children

Valsts finansējuma ietvaros

– 100% dental hygiene visit is paid once a year, aged 2-18 years;
– dental hygiene paid for by the state is available twice a year for children and young people aged 7, 11 and 12;
– 100% dental treatment is paid for up to 18 years of age.

 

We also offer a sealant coating in the fissures of independent teeth, shortly after they erupt. The procedure helps to protect independent teeth from damage during their growth.

Caring for teeth

Taking care of dental hygiene and visits to a professional dental hygienist should become a regular part of child health prevention in early childhood. A visit to a dental hygienist will make it possible to regularly monitor the health of the child's teeth and keep them in good condition, as well as promote the little patient's trust in the dentist and a sense of security in the future if more serious dental procedures are needed.

First visit to a dental hygienist

It is recommended to take a child to a dental hygienist for the first time at the age of two. This visit has a very big importance. The little patient gets to know the dentist's office, the dental hygienist talks to the child and tries to create an atmosphere of comfort and mutual trust, as safe and pleasant as possible.

 

First-time dental procedures performed on the small patient are optional. If the child wants and allows the dentist to look at his teeth, then the specialist does it, but if the little patient does not want it, then it is not done. The main thing is that the child is familiar with the dental hygienist and the atmosphere in the dental institution. Parents also play a big role in building trust in specialists - before coming to the dental clinic, they should tell the little patient what to expect, that the hygienist will talk, show the chair and examine the teeth.

 

For larger patients, all necessary manipulations are performed as needed to remove plaque and tartar using both manual and mechanical instruments. For children and parents, a visit to a dental hygienist also has an educational significance, because in this way, small patients learn the first steps of independent dental hygiene at home.

Advice for parents

Parents must carefully monitor how the child observes dental hygiene and help brush the teeth until approximately eight years of age, because by this time most children have not yet developed the correct brushing movements. To eliminate the possibility of swallowing a dangerously large amount of toothpaste, you should put no more than a pea-sized amount of it on your toothbrush.

 

Baby teeth are highly susceptible to caries - the so-called milk bottle caries occur if a small child is regularly given sweetened drinks to drink - sugar has a very negative effect on tooth enamel. It is recommended to teach the child the basics of proper nutrition by minimizing feasting between meals, sweet snacks and drinks.

Handouts and information for children

Tooth cleaning algorithm

 

Tooth cleaning calendar

 

Coloring page file

 

Tasks for children file

 

Creative works get to know the teeth file

 

Important notice

For children and young people up to 18 years of age, dental hygiene is paid for by the state. Children aged 7, 11 and 12 can visit a dental hygienist twice a year.

Dental hygiene for pregnant women

Don't leave it to the last minute

During pregnancy, significant changes occur in the body, which especially affect the oral cavity, so taking care of its health should be one of the primary things for the expectant mother.

 

It is important to take care of the health of the oral cavity even before planning pregnancy. Due to hormonal fluctuations and the strain on the body, there is a high possibility that existing diseases can make themselves felt in the form of flare-ups and complications. In order not to put yourself and the baby at risk, it is important not only to prepare for pregnancy by visiting a dentist and hygienist, but also to diligently take care of the health of your teeth and gums throughout pregnancy.

A pregnant woman should eat a diet rich in vitamins every day

During pregnancy, the mother-to-be is responsible not only for her oral health, but also for the baby's teeth. Baby teeth begin to form in the mother's womb between the 12th and 17th week of pregnancy.

The lack of various vitamins can adversely affect the oral health of a pregnant woman, as well as the health of the child. Consult your doctor about additional intake of vitamins and minerals (vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, fluorine). While waiting for a baby, you should pay more attention to dental hygiene and a balanced diet.

 

Pregnancy gingivitis can begin in the second trimester of pregnancy, usually ends after delivery, but can also continue throughout breastfeeding.

There is an increased risk of caries during pregnancy

After the baby is born, you should think about calcium and fluoride intake, because there is no fluoride in breast milk. Fluoride can be taken with food, it is contained in fish, tea, eggs, liver and mutton, peas, beans, etc. In addition, it is recommended to use fluoride tablets.

 

Dental health is important not only during pregnancy, but also in everyday life!

Important notice

Use fluoride-containing toothpaste and dental floss! Often, pregnant women face gum problems, such as gum redness, swelling, bleeding. Bleeding gums can indicate gingivitis - inflammation of the gums.