A dental hygienist specialises in prevention as opposed to treatment of dental disease. This treatment is vital for your dental health.
A Dental Hygienist’s job is to help prevent the progress of all types of dental disease and also to educate the patient as to how they can help this process at home.
There are steps every patient needs to know in order to maintain a good level of dental health and these include:
- The treatment of gingivitis ( swollen gums ) this can be kept under control by regular scales and polishes with the hygienist
- The treatment of periodontal disease ( more advanced gum disease ) this can be controlled by regular visits with the hygienist for deep cleanings, this is often carried out using local anaesthetic to numb the area.
- Diet advice, patients often don’t realise the effect their diet is having on the health of their teeth and gums. The hygienist will discuss your diet with you and suggest cut backs in some food and drinks if necessary.
The most important step is to learn how to maintain an excellent level of oral hygiene at home, we will teach you the techniques and offer advice on the best equipment in order to make your job earlier at home.
Gum Disease (Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease)
Periodontal Disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
Early detection of periodontal disease reduces the risk of permanent damage to the teeth and gums and can prevent more extensive and costly treatment in later years.
Regular professional visits, usually every 6 months or as scheduled by the hygienist will help you learn more about the small steps that will help you care for your teeth and gums.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and is reversible with good oral hygiene and regular attendance with the dental hygienist.
Fissure Seals
A fissure seal is a plastic coating tat helps form a protective barrier that helps keep food and bacteria from getting lodges in the tiny grooves of your teeth and causing decay.
A fissure seal should be applied to the permanent molars of all children’s teeth as early after the adult teeth appear.
Flossing
Flossing is an essential part of the tooth cleaning process because it removes plaque from in between the teeth and the gum line, as this is where periodontal disease often begins.
If you find using floss difficult there are a number of alternative items on offer that the hygienist will be happy to recommend and show you how to use.
Dental Implants and Oral Hygiene
Caring for your dental implants is vital for their long term success.
Dental Implants need proper care and professional maintenance with your dentist and dental hygienist.
Following the placement of dental implants each patient is provided with an aftercare kit, this kit has all the tools you will need in order to help maintain your dental implants at home.
Young or old the fundamentals of a winning smile are the same, brush your teeth twice daily, floss every day and visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly.
