Dental Hygienist

Dental hygiene plays a very important part when it comes to looking after our teeth. Practicing a healthy oral hygiene every day will help you reduce the chances of dental complications. It is recommended you:

• Brush you teeth (at least) twice a day
• Floss daily
• Use a mouthwash

It is recommended you also see a dental hygienist at least every six months as well. This is so we are able to give your teeth a thorough clean and tackle any tough build ups of plaque in the hard to reach places.

Looking After Your Teeth

Everyday our mouths will come into contact with a lot of bacteria that will actively attack our teeth. Our diets also heavily influence the effects that bacteria have on our teeth. Sugary drinks and food act as a fuel for bacteria which causes it to produce an acid that will over time dissolve our teeth (causing cavities). Conventional cleaning of our teeth at home everyday will help reduce the build up of bacteria but in the harder to reach places, we often find deposits of tartar that cannot be removed with the conventional methods. We will use professional dental tools to give your teeth a scale and polish to safely and efficiently remove the plaque/tartar.

What Is Plaque & Tartar?

Plaque is what forms on our teeth as bacteria builds up. Its a colourless and sticky substance that is aided in its growth by saliva, fluids and food. Plaque is very bad for our teeth as it is the main factor in causing gum disease if left untreated. If plaque is not removed, it then forms into a hardened substance known as tartar which needs to be removed by a dental professional.

Why See A Dental Hygienist?

Preventative dentistry is all about looking after your teeth to reduce the likelihood of further dental complications. By attending regular check ups with your dentist and seeing a dental hygienist every 6 months, it will help lower your dental bills in the long run and help save your natural teeth for as long as possible.

What To Expect During a Scale & Polish

A scale and polish can be completed by either a dentist or dental hygienist. The first part of the treatment is to use a tool called an ultra-sonic scaler, that vibrates at a very fast speed, whilst shooting a jet of water. This tool enables us to reach the spots in your teeth that are tough for you to brush when at home. It will help us dislodge any debris of food and tackle the toughest build ups of calculus. For the smaller interproximal spaces, we have special tools to get in these areas and tackle any builds up. The last part of the treatment is when we will use a rotating brush and toothpaste, to polish over your teeth. This will make you feel nice and fresh, and your teeth will also look cleaner in the mirror. We usually recommend seeing the hygienist every 6 months, but depending on your oral health, it may be recommend to attend once every 3 months (especially if you have suffered with gum disease).

If you are in need of a thorough clean with our dental hygienist, please do not hesitate to call us and book your appointment today.