Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Orthodontists… Oh My!

There are major differences in the care you will receive from a dentist, a dental hygienist, and an orthodontist. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing, but we are going to specifically clarify which services you would visit each of these dental care providers for. Each of these dental care providers are specialists in their own perspective area of care. Just as in a hospital you have doctors and nurses, in your Valencia dental office here at Go Dental, you have dentists and dental hygienists. We work closely with only the best to bring a complete dental care package to you and your family.

Dental Hygienist

The dental hygienist is usually the first person you see during your dental appointment. Their care focuses on the prevention of disease or infection. The dental hygienist performs the routine care and cleanings that maintain your dental health. Routine cleanings include plaque and tartar removal, X-rays, and review of your at-home dental care habits. Your dental hygienist may review your eating habits as well as recommend any tools or routines that might better your dental health. The handoff from dental hygienist to dentist usually happens after the hygienist has a complete understanding of your dental health and will allow the dentist to diagnose and treat any issue you may have.

Dentist

The dentist will spend more time with you if you have a problem or need extensive treatment. Dentists have not only completed the training of a dental hygienist, but have also completed dental school and are licensed by the state to practice performing corrective surgery on bones, gums, and possibly nerves.

Orthodontist

An orthodontist is a specialist who is highly trained to treat crooked or crowded teeth and misaligned bites. This is the specialist you might think of, or go to, when you need braces, spacers, or headgear.

Of course, there are other specialists who can assist in providing a well-rounded dental health care plan, including but not limited to periodontists, endodontists, and maxillofacial surgeons. Usually, these health care specialists aren’t seen unless recommended by your dentist. They specialize in very specific care and procedures that are not required for all patients. Your Valencia dental specialists want to see your dental hygiene be the best it can be, which requires all the dental professionals to work together.

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Go Dental - Top Valencia Dentist

smile@thedentist.com

To Floss or Not to Floss, is that the question?

If you’ve ever visited your Valencia Dentist, you’ve more than likely been encouraged to floss. The American Dental Association continues to support the act of flossing as “an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.”

However, earlier this year the Associated Press asked the department of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to show scientific evidence of the benefit of habitual flossing. After research of over 25 published studies, they could not find evidence that supports flossing. In the new dietary guidelines that will be released later this year, the recommendation to floss will be removed.

Everyone’s personal hygiene regimen is specific to them, and your friendly Valencia Dentist can help identify what is best for you, but in general - flossing is a good practice and habit to have. That said, similar to brushing too often, or too hard, flossing incorrectly can have a negative effect to your gums, teeth, and dental work.

Cavities start from built up bacteria, mostly between the teeth, which flossing can help prevent. The interim chair of the Department of Periodontics at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Andrew Sullivan says “if people floss once a day, they’re doing a tremendous amount of good.”

There is no denying the benefits we have seen when patients start flossing. Come in for a checkup today and ask your Valencia dentist how flossing could benefit you!

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Go Dental - Top Valencia Dentist

smile@thedentist.com

Expiration Date on Dental Work

Did you know there is an expiration date on your dental work?

That’s one of the many reasons you should have routine maintenance check-ups with your friendly Valencia dentist. During your exam your Valencia dentist will check for any weaknesses in past dental work and determine if any need to be replaced. Maintaining great dental hygiene is the first step you can take to keeping your dental work in good shape.

Dental work including fillings (dental restoration), crowns, and bridges last quite a few years but may need to be replaced due to drinking, eating, or grinding. Tooth decay can occur around the filling leaving a dangerous gap between the filling and the tooth. That gap is an open door for bacteria and food particles. An X-ray may be required in order to determine if there has been any decay under the previous dental work. If there has been decay under a crown, the crown may need to be replaced.

Fillings, if done correctly and properly taken care of, should last over 10 years. Crowns and bridges should last anywhere between 10-15 years. Each person has unique dental hygiene and the longevity of your dental work will vary. Your Valencia dentist will be able to determine the best lifecycle of your dental work.

If you think you have a broken or worn down implant or previous dental work, call your Valencia dentist and make an appointment today! Waiting to get it repaired could cause damage to not only the implant but to your teeth.

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Go Dental - Top Valencia Dentist

smile@thedentist.com