Want to keep your teeth as healthy as possible for as long as possible? The hygienist will clean and polish your teeth and provide you with oral hygiene advice to keep your teeth looking their best in between appointments.

A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene.

Treatment

The hygienist is able to perform a number of procedures including deep cleanings, scaling and root planning for patients with periodontal disease, dental sealants, administration of fluoride. They will also provide instructions for proper oral hygiene and care and offer advice on lifestyle factors that may affect your oral health.

Their main focus is to ensure that you are given the tools to keep your teeth free of plaque. If this is not brushed away, then it can progress to tartar and gum disease which is much harder to treat.

Deep cleanings should be pain free. If, however you do experience any discomfort make sure that you let the hygienist know and they will be able to use anaesthetic creams or give you some local anaesthetic to reduce this.

Benefits of visiting a dental hygienist

These include:

  • Demonstrations on effective tooth brushing techniques to remove plaque without causing tooth wear and receding gums.
  • Discussions on the latest oral hygiene products.
  • Advice on the best aid to clean in-between teeth.
  • Detailed explanation of periodontal disease.
  • Removal of plaque and hard calculus deposits.
  • Discussion of secondary factors that cause periodontal disease, for example  smoking and diabetes.
  • Discussion of how periodontal disease could affect or complicate other health problems, for example heart disease.
  • Prevention of tooth decay and erosion
  • Dietary advice on how to reduce sugary and acidic food and drink.
  • Advice on fluoride and apply fluoride varnishes to help remineralise early signs of tooth caries.
  • Polishing the teeth to remove food and drink stain.
  • Helping to change red and inflamed gums to a healthy pink.
  • Stopping gums from bleeding when brushing.
  • Preventing teeth from becoming mobile and drifting.
  • Preventing unpleasant tastes and bad breath caused by the damaging bacteria in the mouth.

All this will help you to achieve a brighter and healthier smile