Hygienist
Our hygienist will help prevent or treat existing gum disease in your mouth protecting you from tooth loss!
While dentists concentrate on treating your teeth, the dental hygienist performs an equally vital job in helping you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Doing so goes a long way in preventing problems in the first place which is why we recommend that you see a hygienist every 3 to 6 months.
How it works:
-
assess
First She will gently record measurements around the gums to fully assess gum health. This must be done at each appointment so as each individual’s treatment plan can be tailored exactly for their needs.
-
clean
She will remove plaque, tarter and stains to improve appearance freshen breath and improve the longevity of the remaining teeth and restorative work which has been completed In the mouth already. Deep stains can be removed via a powder jet spray.
-
advise
She will give tips and advice on cleaning aids and brushing in order to clear bacteria from your mouth on a daily basis which can be the cause of bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.
There are links between gum disease and other health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, osteoporosis, pregnancy to name a few but there are others. Keeping the mouth healthy can have a good impact on other medical conditions.
🛈 In March 2013 the General Dental Council will allow patients to see a dental hygienist without having an examination by a dentist, so it’s easier than ever to prevent problems and have better oral and general health.
Other treatments a hygienist can provide are:
Fluoride applications
Impressions
Xrays
Use of local anaesthetic for deep scaling
Placement of antibacterial products
Laser treatment
Fissure sealants
Jet polish
*Usually these treatments are provided as part of a patients treatment plan in conjunction with dental treatment as advised by the dentist.
Scale and Polish
A scale and polish is a thorough clean of the teeth and gums carried out by the hygienist. This procedure is non-invasive and we recommend this procedure every 3-6 months. This will prevent gum disease or reverse or manage gum disease already present. The hygienist will use a variety of different instruments to remove the tartar formed on the teeth and around the gum line. Then she will remove all stains to give your teeth their natural sheen.
Periochip
A Periochip is used in the care and maintenance of periodontal disease. It is a biodegradable chip that contains 2.5mg of chlorhexidine digluconate which is released slowly and helps to reduce pocket depth in patient with pericoronitis.
Airflow
A treatment that is so much more than a scale and polish! Airflow cleans and polishes your teeth using jet water, sodium bicarbonate and air. It is very effective in removing stubborn stains caused by red wine, smoking and tea and coffee.
Lazer
The EPIC 10 laser is one of the most widely used diode lasers around the world. It is a surgical and therapeutic device at the cutting edge of technology, designed for providing relief of minor pain, oral tissue procedures and dental whitening.