Dental Hygiene
What is a Hygienist?
Our Hygienists are specifically trained in oral care, helping you to maintain a healthy mouth, reducing the need for dental intervention. The Hygienist will use a range of tools and techniques to clean and polish your teeth, preventing infection and future complications.
In order to give applicable advice and correctly treat any issues you may have, we need to ensure that accurate and up-to-date medical history is provided.
What will the Hygienist do during an appointment?
You will have been advised by your dentist to see the hygienist who will thoroughly assess your mouth and discuss any concerns that you may have. Your hygienist appointment will start with a medical history update and oral health assessment. This is followed by thorough cleaning of the teeth and development of an oral hygiene regime.
Introducing the new Perio Air Flow treatment.
We now have a new air polishing system which uses a powerful jet of air, water and fine powder to polish the tooth surface. This destroys any harmful bacteria and aids in stain removal. The powder is made up of fine crystals and chlorhexidine (found in Corsodyl mouthwash).
Perio Air Flow treatment is used for two main functions: the removal of stains, and gentle but thorough cleaning of implants and crowns. This thoroughly efficient technique leaves the mouth feeling fresh and clean, lifting all surface stains for a truly brighter smile!
If you have stubborn stains from smoking or tea/coffee then ask your Dentist or Hygienist about our Perio Air Flow treatment.
Jargon Buster
The Hygienist frequently uses certain words to highlight various conditions. You can find explanations of certain terms below:
Plaque is a creamy sticky substance made up of mainly bacteria (some of which are not harmful and some of which can be harmful) and some dead cells. It attaches to any hard surface in the mouth and builds up over time if not removed by cleaning.
Calculus, also called tarter, is calcified plaque, formed with the help of the minerals present in saliva.
Saliva has many functions:
- helping to keep the mouth moist
- helping to chew food and to start the process of digestion
- minerals in the saliva help to remineralise the damage to enamel from sugars in the diet
- forms a protective layer over the teeth containing good bacteria to help fight the damaging bacteria present in plaque
Gingivitis is a reversible disease characterised by the inflammation (presenting as varying degrees of redness, bleeding on brushing, swelling and soreness) of the gums around the teeth. This inflammation is in response to a build up of dental plaque over a period of time to a level which cannot be controlled by the immune system in the mouth. This inflammation will reverse as soon as the plaque levels return to a level which is compatible with health. Gingivitis doesn’t cause any permanent damage and the plaque levels required to cause the inflammation vary from one person to another. However it is the most common human disease and is experienced to some level by over 80% of the population.
Periodontitis occurs when the body’s immune response becomes exaggerated causing permanent bone loss as the bone tries to retreat away from the area of infection. Periodontitis affects around 50% of the population with around 15-20% of people experiencing a more severe form of this disease and risking tooth loss as a result. The plaque levels required to stimulate this response again varies from individual to individual and other factors whch can predispose to this condition include a genetic predisposition, smoking, stress, a diet high in refined carbohydrates and some general conditions such as diabetes. Even people with generally good oral hygiene can become affected and potentially lose teeth.
Lifestyle factors can dramatically affect the health of the of your mouth in many different ways, these will be discussed in the surgery and advice on diet, general health and smoking will all be a part of your visit to the hygienist.
