Dental Hygiene Glossary
Dental Hygiene Glossary
20 terms
This glossary is about the dental hygiene. In this job, we clean, and we ensure a good oral health. We provide care and treatment with the goal of preventing oral disease and maintaining and restoring oral health to the patient. This glossary could be useful when you get a meeting with a dentist, and he told you some strange word that you don't know.
- abscess
- A build up of pus resulting from the infection of a tooth of the gum tissue.
- antibiotic
- A drug that stops or slows the growth of bacteria.
- braces
- The devices used by orthodontists to gradually reposition teeth.
- bruxism
- The parafunctional grinding of the teeth.
- caries
- A tooth decay or "cavities" a dental infection caused by toxins produced by bacteria.
- cleaning
- The removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from teeth, generally above the gum line.
- crown
- A restoration that covers a tooth.
- erosion
- The wearing downs of the tooth structure and enamel, cause by acids.
- extraction
- The removal of a tooth.
- floss
- To clean between your teeth using dental floss.
- fluoride
- A type of topical gel/ liquid for the purpose of warding off tooth decay.
- gingivia
- The soft tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth; the pink tissue around the teeth.
- malocclusion
- Misalignment of teeth and jaws.
- maxilla
- The upper jaw.
- molars
- The back teeth used for chewing and grinding food.
- occlusal x-rays
- An x-rays showing full tooth development and placement.
- occlusion
- The relationship of the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed.
- retainer
- A removable appliance used to maintain teeth in a given position.
- sealants
- A thin clear or white resin substance that is applied to the biting surfaces of teeth to prevent decay.
- tartar
- A hard deposit that adheres to teeth; produces rough surfaces that attracts plaque.