Oral Hygiene Instruction

Dental hygienists are experts at getting your teeth cleaner than they've been since, well...the last time they cleaned them for you. However, they're experts at one other thing... telling you what you should be doing to take better care of your teeth to keep your teeth and gums healthier and prevent cavities, which will save you time, money and pain in the future. If you're visiting your dentist office as a member of a discount dental plan like the plan available from Careington Dental, it may be the best money you've ever spent.

The most educational thing a dental hygienist does during OHI (which stand for Oral Hygiene Instruction...this is when your hygienist educates you about tooth care) is the use of a disclosing dye. This is given to you in the form of a chewable tablet or a rinsing solution; after the tablet has been chewed or the solution swished around your mouth and rinsed out, a blast of air changes the color of any plaque or tartar on your teeth to a different color, usually red.

At this point, you will realize that you haven't been taking care of your teeth as well as you thought you were.

There are some simple things you can do to reduce the embarrassment of having your entire mouth stained a bright red while the hygienist explains just how much you've been missing when caring for your teeth.

• Floss daily - Your dentist and hygienist will recommend that you floss at least once each day, and more often if you need it. This removes food trapped between your teeth and under your gums where your toothbrush can't reach.

• Brush at least twice a day - You should use a brush with soft bristles to avoid irritating your gums, and with a circular motion that moves away from your gums for the same reason.

• Rinse - Use a fluoride or antiseptic rinse, whichever is recommended by your hygienist or dentist. This kills any lingering bacteria in your mouth, and can help prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.

You should also eat healthy foods, stay away from too much sugar, and avoid tobacco use of any kind. If you follow these steps exactly, you still need regular cleanings and checkups, even if you don't think you have any problems. To make it easier to keep your twice-a-year appointments, make sure you get the best price possible for your dental care with the help of a discount dental plan like Careington Dental's. A membership costs just a few dollars a month, but can save you hundreds every time you visit your dentist.