Here at our dental practice in Thousand Oaks we have seven hygienists who actively work towards improving the hygiene of our patients’ teeth

Dental-hygiene-is-the-key-to-a-healthy-grin-with-Curtis-Couch-DDS Dental hygiene is used to prevent a myriad of dental issues which can occur within the mouth. The most fundamental thing which it will prevent is the presence of harmful plaque in the mouth which can in turn lead to dental complications such as gingivitis, periodontitis, bad breath and cavities (which can be painful). In order to deter these damaging dental conditions Curtis Couch D.D.S in Thousand Oaks employs seven hygiene therapists who specialize in maintaining the health of the mouth. We suggest meeting one of our hygienists at an early age so that correct dental practices are taught during the younger years and kept up for life.

What is a dental hygienist?

Most dental hygienists work in close proximity to their primary doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S) in order to ensure the ongoing health of every patient. When discussing the ongoing health of your teeth, your dentist at Curtis Couch D.D.S in Thousand Oaks will consult with your dental hygienist in order to determine the correct steps that need to be taken. Most commonly your hygienist will simply ensure that you are performing the correct daily preventative measures which are known to combat plaque and dental disease. It’s important to know that a dental hygienist is not the same as a dental assistant who may assist your dentist during your appointment. A hygienist’s special talent lies in their ability to identify and treat dental diseases. Your hygienist will keep a keen eye out for:
  • Inflamed or red gums
  • Abnormal lesions in the mouth
  • Plaque endangering the teeth
  • Cavities
  • Pain
  • Discoloration of individual teeth
All of these symptoms can lead to a range of conditions including gingivitis and periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a thriving problem in America

Periodontitis infects 70.1 percent of Americans over the age of 65. This scary statistic is the reason why so many older people require teeth extractions in order to protect the rest of their natural teeth. Approximately 64.7 million American adults have periodontitis, if you think you may be one of these sufferers it is strictly recommended that you visit Curtis Couch D.D.S in Thousand Oaks to consult with Dr. Couch himself as well as one of our seven dental hygienists. They will develop a plan of attack and ensure that the health of your teeth get back on track.

Your dental hygienist will suggest a number of items to avoid and improve…

Part of your treatment plan may involve you giving up various vices such as smoking. We all know that smoking is dangerous, and it is even more so due to the fact that it increases the risk of periodontitis. You will also need to:
  • Monitor your mouth situation if you suffer from diabetes or other illnesses such as immune disorders which will put you at higher risk of infection
  • Stop your mouth-breathing as saliva protects the teeth from harmful infections
  • Be wary of medications that cause abnormal growths or reduce saliva production
These are the factors which you are in control of, although there are a few others which are pre-determined such as genetic susceptibility and hormonal changes which is most common in women and young girls. If you are interested in finding out more about our periodontitis prevention techniques and dental hygiene please book an appointment with Curtis Couch D.D.S in Thousand Oaks by contact his team here.