Oral Hygiene: Necessary Measures for Preventing and Treating Periodontitis

The importance of dental hygiene

Dental hygiene, also known as teeth cleaning or gingival therapy, is a method of using dental instruments (such as an ultrasonic scaler) to remove tartar, plaque, and stains above the gum line and polish the teeth. Plaque and tartar are the main culprits of periodontal disease, and teeth cleaning is the most effective method to remove plaque and tartar above the gum line. It is not only the main treatment for gingivitis, but also the first step in the treatment of periodontitis. The purpose of dental cleaning is to prevent and treat inflammation of the periodontium, rather than just pursuing aesthetics.

The repetitiveness of dental hygiene

许多人会有这样一个疑问："洗过一次牙之后牙龈就不再出血了，还需要定期洗牙吗？" 答案是肯定的。洁牙的重要性在于，牙菌斑在清除之后会很快在牙面上重新形成。如果平时刷牙不正确或不会使用牙线（或牙间隙刷），菌斑无法完全清除，菌斑膜会迅速增厚。同时，唾液中的矿物盐逐渐沉积在牙面上，最终形成牙石。牙石的多孔结构会吸收更多的细菌毒素，从而引起牙周组织的炎症。牙石一旦形成就无法通过刷牙去除。如果不及时清除菌斑和牙石，就会导致牙龈炎和牙周炎的发生或复发。炎症积累到一定程度后就会出现牙龈出血、肿胀，甚至牙齿松动或脱落。

Frequency of teeth cleaning

Therefore, scaling and root planing is not a one-time treatment, but needs to be repeated regularly. Patients with gum health and gingivitis need to have their teeth cleaned every six months to a year. Patients with periodontitis, on the other hand, need to have their teeth cleaned every 3-6 months and follow up with further treatment. Only through continuous oral care can we have a healthy and beautiful smile.