Dental hygiene

Combat gum disease and help prevent diabetes, strokes, heart disease and other serious conditions

At Cliftonville we take dental hygiene extremely seriously. This isn’t just because of the important role it plays in preventing periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay and tooth loss – though these are reasons enough to make regular dental hygiene appointments.

The benefits of good oral hygiene to your overall health really can’t be overstated. For instance:

• In 2012 scientists proved that gum disease is a cause of Type 2 Diabetes – a condition with complications that can include blindness, kidney problems and loss of limbs through cardiovascular disease.
• Research has shown that good oral hygiene can reduce the rate at which the arteries thicken, cutting the risk of strokes and heart disease.
• People with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack. If the condition is left untreated gums can become swollen, leading to inflammation which can affect the bloodstream, damaging blood vessels in the heart and brain.
• Untreated gum disease can be a factor in low birth weight babies – pregnant women with this condition are three times more likely to go into labour before 35 weeks.
• The protein from the bacteria which causes gum disease is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Using the Florida Probe system to detect gum disease

Here at Cliftonville we’ve invested heavily in sophisticated technology to detect and diagnose gum disease. The Florida Probe system uses advanced software to produce precise computerised diagnoses quickly and easily. The data it produces is then used to create a personalised ‘treatment map’ to address problems before they become more serious.

Naturally, a skilled dental hygienist understands how to get your teeth far cleaner than you could achieve through brushing alone. Professional cleaning is an important part of our services. But it’s by no means all.

Here at our Northampton practice, our dentists and hygienists can show you how to develop a highly effective oral hygiene regime, so you can look after your teeth and gums effectively – protecting your overall wellbeing as well as your dental health. We’ll show you how to make sure your teeth are freer from the plaque and bacteria which so often remain after brushing.