A dental hygienist, or an oral hygienist, provides a full mouth scale, a polish, floss and fluoride treatment. These services not only remove plaque, but also allow the hygienist an opportunity to assess the health of your entire mouth and the back of your throat. It’s the first step in discovering, among other conditions, oral cancers or gingivitis. It’s vital that you visit a dental hygienist a minimum of every twelve months.
A dental hygienist, also known as an oral hygienist, is your second line of defence in your fight for clean, healthy teeth, and a fabulous smile. The first line of defence is your own daily oral healthcare process. The third, and final, line of defence is your dentist.
A dental hygienist is so important in the process that most dentists require their patients to see a hygienist before their dental appointment. This is for two reasons. The first is that a complete examination and treatment in a hygiene visit takes time. If dentists had to do that as well as the specific, focused, and more technical services they provide, each appointment would take so much time, the number of patients they could see daily would drop dramatically
The second reason is that a hygienist’s services include cleaning, preventing oral disease, and oral education.
4 Services that dental hygienist provide
- A complete facial and oral examination is the first thing a dental hygienist will carry out. Depending on the dental practice, this may include X-rays which will be passed onto the dentist for use in their examination.
- This facial and oral examination is not only to assess the state of a patient’s teeth, but also the health of the patient’s lips, uvula, tonsils, the retromolar trigone, the gums, the tissue of the cheeks, jaw, both the hard and soft palate or velum, the back of the throat known as the pharynx, and the patient’s breath. They’re looking for signs of:
- Gum health and disease
- Gingivitis
- Oral cancer
- Oral condition
- Tooth decay
- Tartar and plaque build-up
- After the examination, the hygienist carries out a full mouth scale, a polish, and floss. These procedures remove and prevent plaque which would lead to gum disease and cavities. The hygienist ends the treatment with a fluoride treatment.
- Education plays a large part of the interaction a hygienist has with a patient. The more a patient knows, the more, and better-informed decisions they can make about their own oral healthcare. This education includes how to brush and floss correctly, the best toothbrush to use, electronic aids, and interdental brushes, and diet. A good hygienist will also explain way good oral healthcare matters. After all, bad oral healthcare can lead to:
- Cardiovascular disease risk, with increased risk of stroke and heart attack
- Increased risk of pneumonia, particularly in elderly patients
- Premature birth with low birth weight in babies
- Uncontrolled diabetes in adult diabetics
As with regular dental appointments, it’s a very good idea to visit a dental hygienist as often as possible. The more times you do visit, the less likely you will need fillings, crowns, or tooth removals due to caries, and the less likely you will develop gingivitis. It’s best to visit a dental hygienist a minimum of every twelve months. Most dental surgeries will have a dental hygienist on staff. If they don’t, they will be able to refer to one with whom they work.
How often do you visit a dental hygienist? Do you suffer from intermittent gingivitis or often need fillings? If you want the cleanest, and healthiest teeth possible, make an appointment today by contact us on 0508 TEAM DENTAL.
FAQs:
Q1: What does a dental hygienist do?
A dental hygienist provides a full mouth scale, polish, floss, and fluoride treatment. They also conduct a thorough facial and oral examination, checking your teeth, gums, lips, throat, and other oral tissues for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, oral cancer, and plaque build-up. Additionally, they educate patients on proper oral hygiene, diet, and preventive care to support overall health.
Q2: How often should I see a dental hygienist?
It is recommended to visit a dental hygienist at least once every twelve months. Regular visits help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues, reducing the need for fillings, crowns, or extractions, while promoting long-term dental health.