What is a Hygienist Visit?
A hygiene visit is an appointment with your dental hygienist to clean your teeth and evaluate your oral health. It’s important to keep up with your hygiene visits because they play a vital role in maintaining good oral health. During a hygiene visit, your hygienist will remove any buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and turn into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
Our specialist dentistry and hygiene team need first to assess your dental and oral health, as it will be their primary indicator for any required treatment plan a patient may require. Our dedicated team of dentists in Dublin are dedicated to providing the best care possible for oral health.
What are a Hygienist Visit used to treat?
For some patients, a simple scale and polish procedure can be necessary for better assessment of the patients’ teeth and gums. A dental hygienist not only cleans and polishes your teeth to perfection but also helps to reduce the risk of and treat specific dental concerns, including:
- Gum disease.
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Regular hygienist visits prevent cavities and fillings.
- Severe dental decay.
- Treats discoloured teeth.
Do I need a Hygienist Visit?
Here are some signs that it’s time for you to schedule a visit with your dental hygienist.
The general rule of thumb is that you should see your dental hygienist every six months. If it’s been longer than that since your last visit, then it’s probably time to schedule an appointment.
If you have bad breath that doesn’t go away after brushing your teeth and tongue, then it could be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease can cause bad breath because of the bacteria buildup in your mouth. A professional cleaning by your dental hygienist can remove the bacteria and help get rid of bad breath.
Bleeding gums are another sign of gum disease. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, then it’s time to see your dental hygienist. They will be able to determine if you have gum disease and recommend the best treatment plan for you.
If your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, then it could be a sign of early gum disease. The gums can recede as gum disease progresses, which exposes the root of the tooth and causes sensitivity. A professional cleaning by your dental hygienist can help remove the bacteria that is causing the gum disease and help reduce sensitivity.
Loose teeth are another sign of advanced gum disease. If you have loose teeth, then it’s important to see your dentist or dental hygienist right away so they can determine the best course of treatment. Loose teeth can be caused by bone loss due to gum disease or they could be a sign of other problems such as decay or an infection.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums that can eventually lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed through daily brushing and flossing, it will begin to harden and turn into tartar. Tartar is much more difficult to remove than plaque and can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Once tartar has formed, it will begin to damage the gums, causing them to pull away from the teeth. This creates pockets of infection that can eventually lead to bone loss and tooth loss.
The main cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly help remove plaque before it can harden into tartar. Poor dental care habits are not the only cause of gum disease; other contributing factors include tobacco use, certain medications (such as steroids), diabetes, pregnancy, genetic disposition, and Crohn’s disease.
The early stages of gum disease are often symptomless, which is why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. However, there are some early warning signs that you may have gum disease, including:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
- Swollen or tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- persistent bad breath
- a change in the fit of partial dentures
If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.
The key to treating gum disease is catching it in its earliest stages. The earlier gum disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. In its earliest stages, gum disease can be treated with a deep cleaning at your dentist’s office. A deep cleaning involves removing the plaque and tartar from your teeth both above and below the gumline. If caught early enough, this may be all that is needed to treat your gum disease.
Dr. Heraclio is an excellent dentist and I had the best orthodontics experience with him.
Lenise BarbosaSeptember 9, 2020
Treatment Process
The cleaning portion of the appointment will involve removal of plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. When plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which can only be removed by a professional. Plaque and tartar can lead to cavities and gum disease, so it is important to remove them on a regular basis.
During the assessment, the dental hygienist will check for signs of Cavities & Gum Disease. Cavities are small holes in your teeth that are caused by decay. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can eventually lead to tooth loss. Both cavities and gum disease can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene habits at home.
The dental hygienist will also offer guidance on Improving Your Oral Care Routine. This may include suggestions for choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as tips for flossing and brushing effectively.
Patients
Advantages of a Hygienist Visit
There are many advantages of regular Hygienist Visits, the overall effects of losing a tooth, added to the costs involved in replacing them mean that patients should do everything they can to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
Avoid Gum Disease
Avoid Tooth Decay
Avoid Bad Breath
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