It’s one of those professions that everyone thinks they understand – but could you put your finger on what it is exactly that a dental hygienist does? You probably have an idea that it involves keeping the mouth and gums clean, but do you understand anything more beyond that?
At Bounty Road Dental in Basingstoke, Hampshire, patients often ask us what they can expect from their visits to the hygienist, and how an appointment would benefit them. So we thought we’d offer an overview here.
The role of the hygienist
Essentially, dental hygienists are trained professionals who are gum and bone specialists. They work mainly on individual teeth and gums so that your mouth stays as healthy as possible and you keep problems like bad breath and gum disease at bay. (According to the NHS, gum disease affects nearly half of those aged 35 or over.) Combine these visits, of course, with your regular dental check-up appointments for the best possible oral health. After all, most dental disease is entirely preventable; but it’s even more so with the help of a hygienist.
How will I benefit?
Good oral hygiene will certainly prove invaluable in the battle against gum disease and tooth decay, which can ultimately lead to teeth having to be extracted. So seeing a hygienist is a smart preventative move.
Frequent appointments will remove hard-to-reach tartar and plaque from your teeth. This gets rid of the rough surfaces which can worsen bacterial build-up, making your teeth and gums generally healthier.
You will also have brighter teeth, since regular scaling and polishing can banish surface staining, giving you fresher-looking pearly whites. You will be rid of the marks that can accumulate from certain foods and drinks, from curries and red wine to green tea and coffee. Even mouthwash, you may not have realised, can sometimes make its mark – and not in a good way.
Your hygienist will also give you expert advice on how to look after your gums and teeth at home, and can discuss the diets that are best for oral health. (You may think you understand this pretty well already, but you’d be surprised what you can learn about flossing, brushing techniques and using interdental brushes.)
Finally, there are always new advances in dental treatment, so seeing a hygienist can help you stay abreast of the latest advice.
What are periodontal pockets?
Hygienists will also inspect your mouth for areas called ‘pockets’, or spaces between the gums and teeth (below the gum line) where tissue has started to pull away from the enamel. These can gather debris and food in between teeth cleanings as well as allowing bacteria to breed. Periodontal pockets aren’t quite reachable with the bristles of a toothbrush, so food can become trapped just below the gums.
Periodontal pockets are key indicators of gum disease, and are often hereditary, so you may need to see a hygienist more frequently if you have them.
What else will happen at my appointment?
To sum up, following the initial hygiene examination, you can expect:
- For your teeth to be scaled to eliminate any tartar or plaque build-up, using professional equipment and pastes you wouldn’t otherwise have access to
- A clean and polish to shift any superficial staining of your gnashers
- Tailored advice on maintaining optimal oral health and demonstrations of techniques you can use yourself at home
- Advice on diet and how it can help prevent tooth decay
- Help with detecting early-warning signs of potential oral cancer
- Your hygienist will be able to refer you to a dentist or periodontist if they feel anything they’ve seen may warrant further treatment and the issue lies outside their scope of practice
- Where necessary, a hygienist may also apply sealants to teeth or fluoride gels and pastes
How often do I need to see the hygienist?
Most people will benefit from seeing this professional for a clean-up once a year. However, your clinical needs and your own personal preferences will also be a part of the decision of how often to attend.
Equally, your dentist may advise that you see a hygienist for a thorough clean before starting any programme of complex work, for example if you’re having dental implants, dentures, dental bridges or orthodontic treatment.
See a hygienist in Basingstoke at Bounty Road Dental
We at Bounty Road Dental recommend that all our patients come for regular hygienist appointments. Our hygienist Kelly Couldridge has a number of years’ experience as a hygienist and dental therapist and loves enthusing our patients to take the best care of their oral health while staying on top of all the latest developments in the profession.
Talk to us and book your hygienist appointment today.