01/12/2024
Your Oral Health Therapist (OHT) - Your Ally For More Than Just a Cleaning!
If you take good care of your teeth, you will probably spend less time in our office getting fillings and more time with our oral health therapist.
And even though most patients usually refer to this time as a cleaning, it.s important you realize that oral hygiene appointments routinely include the following services.
Diagnostic: This means examination of your teeth to find decay, cavity-detecting radiographs, and an assessment of your gum tissue.
Our oral health therapist also looks at your biting, chewing and swallowing patterns, reviews your medical history and reassesses your overall treatment, evaluating areas such as cosmetic enhancements for your smile.
Preventive: This could mean screening for oral cancer, checking blood pressure, and applying fluoride and pit and fissure sealants.
The oral health therapist also cleans and scales teeth to remove plaque, tartar and surface stains, and polishes fillings and crowns.
Educational: This could include brushing and flossing instruction, nutrition counseling, explanations of dental treatments, and answers to questions about future treatment such as orthodontics and periodontal therapy.
So there is no such thing as just a cleaning. And remember: no matter how much we can do for your teeth, the most important part is what you do for your teeth at home. Hygiene services begin in our office, but they must always be followed by proper brushing, flossing, and healthy eating at home. If you are not sure how, ask your oral health therapist at your next appointment.
