For many periodontists in Bay Area, oral hygiene is the loudest message they send to both their patients and to their prospective patients. Oral hygiene is single-handedly the most powerful way to prevent gum disease, and gum disease is responsible for loss of teeth, a higher risk of developing heart disease, and a greater chance of developing diabetes.
For many people, oral hygiene is simply brushing their teeth once or twice per day. But the reality is, daily flossing and multiple brushing per day is crucial for proper hygiene, and using mouthwash is recommended for flushing out bacteria that can create an infection.
In addition to daily hygiene, a semi-annual trip to the dentist for a teeth cleaning session is vital to reaching the plaque that doesn’t come off in daily hygiene routines.