Why do I need a Hygienist appointment?
- It’s important to see the Hygienist regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy (normally every six months).
- Your gums are the foundation of your teeth and our hygienist will help you keep them healthy.
Our Dentists will look out for:
- Deposits of plaque and tartar – this is composed of bacteria. The bacteria harbour around the gum and can cause gum disease.
- Bleeding of the gums – this can be a sign of gum inflammation either early (gingivitis) or advanced (periodontitis). Smokers do not always show this sign.
- Pockets – if early gum disease (gingivitis) is allowed to progress then the gum around the teeth start to pull away from the root of the tooth (caused by the gum inflammation). This creates a pocket where bacteria become trapped and continue the inflammation and destruction of the gum. This can lead onto bone loss around the teeth.
- Mobility – progressed gum disease where gum and bone around the teeth has been destroyed will show signs of tooth mobility. Eventually the teeth may fall out.
- Gum recession – this can be caused by gum disease or excessive/hard tooth brushing.
Our Hygienist can now see you without seeing the Dentist first. If the Hygienist feels you need to see the Dentist they will advise you of this.
- Remove any plaque and tartar above and below the gum line by scaling the teeth. Occasionally this is carried out with local anaesthetic, if required.
- Polish your teeth to bring back their natural appearance as best as possible.
- Guide and educate you in your personal oral hygiene habits, e.g. tooth brushing techniques with manual brushes or electric brushes, flossing techniques, and use of interspace/interdental brushes. You may wish to bring your brushing aids with you to the hygienist appointment.
- Provide advice about your diet and how this can affect your teeth.