Dental Health Guides
Our office hours are Monday through Thursday 8am to 9pm and Friday 8am to 4pm.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We also offer a discount to senior citizens.
Our office is located at 11 Wells Street, Suite 4 which is down the hill from the Westerly Hospital in the Medical Arts Complex. Please call us at 401-596-0888. We look forward to giving you the care that you should have.
Email us at: info@westerlydentists.com
Hygiene Statement
During your hygiene appointment we do more than "clean teeth." Our primary goal is to prevent disease and maintain optimal oral health. We view oral health as contributing to systemic (overall) health. More and more research is confirming that the two go hand in hand. We, as hygienists or Woodward and Kaufman, will always, at every visit, give you a complete evaluation of your head and neck, take your blood pressure, examine your teeth and gums, and come up with the best treatment plan for you. Regular visits and follow through of homecare instructions given to you by your hygienists, is the best way to maintain healthy gums, teeth, and overall optimal health. We look forward to seeing our patients reach and maintain oral health.
Hygiene Questions and Answers
Brushing: Why brush?
The concept of brushing is to remove bacterial plaque that is constantly forming on all surfaces of the teeth. Bacterial plaque, when not removed, turns into calculus (tartar) and produces inflammation (gingivitis), and then periodontal disease. Bacterial plaque is very easily removed from teeth by brushing with the correct technique. Once bacterial plaque turns into calculus, it is not possible to remove it with a toothbrush. Calculus has to be removed with instruments by a dental professional. Plaque and calculus that sit next to the gums causes beginning stages of disease. Some signs of this disease process are bleeding, red, swollen tissue.
How to brush?
It is a misconception that brushing hard and fast or a "ten time a day method" will remove the plaque and be beneficial to your gums. The technique effective for most people consists of using short, circular, vibratory strokes, with light pressure and a soft toothbrush only. Placing the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the gums and using a short back and forth motion is important because it "sweeps" out the space between the teeth and gums that would be missed with an up and down stroke. Using gentle pressure will massage the gums and get blood circulating. It is important to brush surfaces and for a full two minutes. Many times when we brush, we think about other things instead of focusing on brushing correctly. Brushing correctly two or three times per day, with flossing, is necessary to maintain good oral health.
Some of us have teeth that are not in correct alignment or need a different way to brush a particular area. At your visit, your hygiensit will demonstrate the best and most effective method for you.
The tongue!
Many people are unaware that bacterial plaque loves to sit on the tongue as well as the teeth (it is also a source of bad breath). It is great to have clean teeth, but if your tongue is coated with disease causing germs, it is hard to maintain good health. Always brush the tongue with a couple of long, slow, strokes reaching from the back to the front. Also, brush the roof of your mouth once a day. Your hygienist will be happy to demonstrate these techniques for you at your visit.
Frequent Myths!
1. The harder I brush the better.
Don't brush too hard! Consistently brushing too hard can damage the gum tissue, cause gum recession, and bone loss!
2. Eating sweets or drinking soda in small amounts is ok.
Wrong! It is the frequency that is most important not the amount! Example... If you were to sip on soda here and there throughout the day, it is more detrimental to the teeth than drinking several sodas in one sitting. Once the soda (or sweets) has entered the mouth the pH balance of the mouth changes and an acidic environment is created. It will remain acidic for around 20- 30 mins before returning to normal mouth pH. It is the acidic environment that is partly responsible for decay of enamel. Drinking or eating everything within twenty minutes is ideal.
3. My gums aways bleed, it's not a problem. Healthy gums do not bleed! Many people realize that if you were bleeding from your ears or eyes that this would be a major problem and your body's way of letting you know something is not in good health. The gums are no different! Bleeding gum tissue is a sign that harmful bacteria is present. When you begin to floss on a regular basis, bleeding should cease.
Flossing....
Flossing can reduce the risk of gum disease, (gingivitis and periodontitis). It can also reduce the risk of decay between the teeth!
Removing the plaque that accumulates between, around and under the gums everyday reduces the amount of bacteria. Bacteria will reproduce in an enviornment that is warm and moist. Over time this bacteria produces harmful toxins that will begin to break down the healthy tissue and bone. Gum disease is not typically painful, it progresses slowly over time and once most people realize they have it, it can be too late to reverse the devastating effects.
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. Gingivitis is discovered early enough can be reversed. Signs of gingivitis are red, swollen, bleeding gums. When gingivitis has gone untreated it will inevitably lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is irreversible, it can only be managed and arrested. The main factor in periodontitis is bone loss which occurs from extended period of time gone without proper brushing or flossing.
Many people have teeth that are very close together or very far apart and regular dental floss is not as effective. At you appointment your hygienist will demonstrate an appropriate floss or interproximal brush that fits your mouth best.