In order to preserve your smile, it is important to follow your oral hygiene regimen daily. The risk of tooth decay and permanent decalcification marks is even greater for someone wearing braces. To help your smile last a lifetime, we recommend brushing after every meal, flossing once a day and using your rinse.
During your regularly scheduled appointment at our office, we will check your teeth and score you on your oral hygiene. The score you receive is based upon the conditions that are evident - such as white spots on teeth and bleeding gums – during your examination. We score based on the following system:
Score: 1 – Poor
There is evidence of:
- White spots (Decalcification)
- Tooth decay (Caries)
- Bleeding gums
- Chronic inflammation
- Plaque build-up
Score: 2 – Needs Improvement
There is evidence of:
- Initial decalcification
- Inflammation of gums
- Loose plaque
Score: 3 – Average
There is evidence of:
- Generalized mild inflammation of gums
- Swelling of gums
Score: 4 – Good
There is evidence of:
- Localized mild inflammation of gums
- Swelling of gums as a result of tooth movement
Score: 5 – Excellent
There is evidence of:
- Healthy gums
- Minimal plaque
By using this grading system, our goal is to help each patient review their oral hygiene habits and improve their oral health by taking corrective actions. For patients who consistently score a 1 or 2, we will recommend that you see your dentist more frequently for cleanings.