October is National Dental Hygiene & Orthodontic Month
Author: Tracey Perry Johnson, RDH
October is National Dental Hygiene & Orthodontic Month
- Dental Hygienist: Licensed dental health care providers who use a variety of interpersonal and clinical skills to assess, treat and provide oral health therapy to patients. This includes but is not limited to dental prophylaxis (cleaning) and periodontal therapy.
- Orthodontics: The treatment of irregularities in teeth and jaw, generally entails the straightening of crooked teeth or the correction of a poor bite, or malocclusion.
At Spring Lake Dental Group, our team of hygienist help to assess overall oral health during the hygiene appointment. We educate patients about ways to improve and maintain good oral hygiene habits to prevent disease! Our orthodontic team works to enhance function and esthetics of your teeth. We work together to help you achieve the smile you desire.
How do we work as a team? Think of hygienists as inspectors, checking for signs that Biofilm may be present. When Biofilm remains on the teeth demineralization/hypo-calcification can occur, which can result in “white spots” which can detract from your smile. It is imperative to visit your hygienist before, during and after orthodontic therapy. Think of Dr. Whitehead as a “teeth architect” aligning & strategically moving teeth in the best position to achieve a functional and esthetically pleasing smile. At Spring Lake Dental Group, we are proud to have Dr. Thorpe Whitehead as our Board Certified Orthodontist. Formerly, Colonel Whitehead, completed his military career at Ft. Bragg as Chief of Orthodontics. Dr. Whitehead and his team of assistants are available on Wednesdays and the one Saturday a month that we are performing patient care. Our wonderful team of hygienist are available daily! Give our office a call to schedule for a hygiene or an orthodontic appointment. We’d appreciate the opportunity to be an integral part of providing your dental care needs.
*Biofilm : Sticky film which can consist of plaque, tartar and calculus that can lead to cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease.
*Hypo-calcification/Demineralization: “White spots” which appear as defects on the teeth
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