Preventive dentistry is at the core of everything we do at LPID, and maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for a healthy, attractive smile. Your dental hygienist plays a vital role alongside your dentist in caring for your teeth and gums, and regular visits should never be overlooked.
Even if you have minimal dental issues, it’s recommended to visit your hygienist twice a year, in between your routine dental check-ups. For those with restorations such as crowns, veneers, fillings, dentures, or dental implants — or those who have experienced periodontal disease — hygiene visits should occur more frequently, usually 3-4 times per year.
What Is a Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a specially trained professional who provides enhanced services to keep your mouth healthy and helps you maintain good oral hygiene long-term. They are also skilled in teaching you how to care for any restorations in your mouth, such as crowns, veneers, and implants, to ensure the longevity of your treatments. The purpose of a visit to our hygiene clinic is to extend the lifespan of your teeth and dental treatments, promote overall oral health, and spot any concerning signs early so that problems can be addressed promptly.
What Happens During a Dental Hygiene Appointment?
A dental hygiene appointment typically includes a professional assessment of the health of your gums as well as a thorough. During this process, your hygienist will use specialized techniques to remove tartar buildup both above and below the gum line, as it is tartar and bacteria that can lead to inflammation and ultimately gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath (halitosis), and even tooth loss.
Here’s what you can expect during your appointment:
- Initial Examination: Your hygienist will carry out a thorough dental hygiene examination to assess the health of your teeth and gums and advise on any initial risk factors and findings.
- Removal of tartar: We use different techniques to remove build up both above and below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar in those hard-to-reach areas that brushing alone cannot effectively clean. This reduces your risk of developing dental and gum problems.
- Cleaning and Polishing: A professional clean and polish is performed to remove superficial stains and brightening your smile.
- Tailored Advice: After cleaning, your hygienist will provide personalized advice on maintaining good oral health at home between appointments. This may include guidance on brushing, flossing, or using interdental brushes and dietary changes to prevent erosion and aging of your teeth.
Why Is Regular Dental Hygiene Important?
Regular professional dental maintenance helps keep your teeth free from decay, gum disease, and other issues while ensuring they look great. Our dental hygiene team is friendly, caring, and highly specialized. They will help you identify areas of your mouth that are difficult to reach and show you how to care for these areas effectively at home, reducing the likelihood of future problems.
If your dentist has diagnosed gum disease, bone loss, or gingivitis (gum inflammation), our dental hygienists will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs, using the most up-to-date techniques available.
Benefits of Regular Dental Hygiene Appointments
There are many benefits to attending regular dental hygiene appointments, including:
Controlling Gum Disease
Gum disease can be treated and even halted when caught early. Later stages can cause bleeding, painful gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. Regular hygiene appointments help manage gum disease and provide you with the knowledge to prevent it from returning.
Preventing Bad Breath
Bad breath is often caused by underlying dental problems, such as plaque or bacteria buildup around the teeth or under the gum line. A professional scale and polish can resolve this issue.
A Whiter Smile
Over time, teeth can become stained by foods and drinks like tea, coffee, tobacco, and red wine. Our hygienists use advanced techniques to remove these stains and restore your teeth to their natural whiteness.
Preventing Oral Cancer
In addition to maintaining your smile, our hygienists will screen for early signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer is highly treatable when detected early, and your hygienist can provide advice on reducing risk factors.
How Often Should I Visit a Dental Hygienist?
Your dentist may recommend that you visit the hygienist regularly, especially if you have a history of dental or periodontal issues. The frequency of visits will be determined by your clinical needs and your personal desire to keep your teeth cleaned and polished. The British Dental
Association (BDA) recommends two dental hygiene visits per year for those with no underlying oral health issues and 3-4 visits per year for those with existing dental or periodontal concerns. Regular visits help protect your natural teeth or restorations from unnecessary damage and make them last longer.
Your dentist may also suggest seeing a dental hygienist for a thorough clean before beginning complex treatments such as dental implants, braces, Invisalign, or large restorative procedures.