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Dental Hygiene

Dental hygienists are highly skilled in assessing and maintaining the health of your gums and treating gum disease.

Their preventive approach involves performing a routine procedure known as a scale and polish to remove plaque that builds up on your gum line every few months. In removing this plaque, gum disease is significantly less likely to advance, protecting your teeth from the risk of being loose and falling out.

Hygienists are also able to help patients with advanced gum disease improve the health of their gums, often through repeated deep cleaning and specialist techniques, performed over a period of weeks or months.

Why should I see a dental hygienist?

Because gum disease progresses slowly and often without painful symptoms, routine appointments are essential in flagging it up early, so it can be treated before it adversely affects your oral health. Hygienist appointments are a worthwhile investment into the health of your smile, potentially saving you from requiring a complex restorative dental procedure in the future, or from a tooth extraction.

Hygienists also play a key role in educating patients about how best to use dental aids like brushes and floss, and can advise you on diet and lifestyle.

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How often should I see a dental hygienist?

Generally speaking, it’s recommended that you visit the hygienist twice a year. However, those with advancing or advanced gum disease are likely to be asked to visit more regularly, so developing problems can be monitored and treated.

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What is the difference between plaque and tartar?

Plaque and tartar (also known as calculus) are both substances that need to be removed from along your gum line, but there is a difference between the two.

Plaque is a soft biofilm that builds up on your teeth and under your gums throughout the day, and it contains millions of different bacteria. After you consume food and drink that’s high in carbohydrates or sugar, the bacteria in your mouth feed on these sugars and subsequently produce acids that erode your tooth enamel, the protective coating on your teeth.

When left to linger, plaque eventually turns to tartar, a harder substance that’s much more difficult to get rid of.

Failing to get rid of plaque not only causes cavities, it can trigger advanced gum disease, gum recession, discolouration and sensitivity.

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How can I remove stains from my teeth and prevent them from coming back?

In addition to following a sensible diet that’s low in carbohydrates and sugars, brushing and flossing your teeth every day and refraining from smoking, visiting the hygienist for routine cleanings is essential.

Hygienists use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar that are located along your gum line, as these substances can’t be removed at home with your toothbrush or dental floss. Your hygienist can also help by providing advice on how to improve your diet and your at-home oral hygiene routine, so that less plaque and tartar collect along your gum line, making you less susceptible to the early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) and periodontitis.

Whilst a traditional scale and polish will remove much of the plaque and tartar coating your teeth and gums, AirFlow® Polishing can reach difficult areas to ensure the absolute maximum is eliminated. AirFlow® Polishing is a gentle system that’s suitable for those with sensitive teeth, and helps you maintain fresh breath. We may suggest AirFlow® Polishing before cosmetic treatment such as teeth whitening.

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How do I look after my oral hygiene?

Visiting the hygienist for routine cleanings and at the recommended times is an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene. Meanwhile, a consistent at-home routine and sensible diet are vital, if you want to keep the threat of gum disease and tooth loss at bay. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, this is likely to negatively impact your oral hygiene. If you need support to stop such habits, don’t hesitate to speak to your hygienist, who can advise you on how to achieve this.

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Tips on brushing my teeth

When you brush, you should be aiming to cover all tooth surfaces, not forgetting the inside surfaces. If you’re using a manual toothbrush, you should avoid over brushing, as this can lead to gum recession which requires treatment in order to be reversed. We recommend an electric toothbrush with an oscillating head, as this will do most of the work for you as you move the brush along your teeth. Electric toothbrushes have been clinically proven to be more effective at thoroughly removing bacteria and food particles, and many designs notify you with a red light when you are brushing too hard. You should be brushing your teeth for a minimum of twice a day, for two minutes each day.

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