Direct Access For Hygiene
Direct Access for Hygiene
Visiting our dental hygienist should be part of your regular dental care regime.
Good dental health is not just about looking after your teeth. Your gums provide the foundation for teeth to thrive, much as the foundations of a house support the structure built above them. If you have great teeth but poor gum health, you could find yourself at risk of losing some teeth or requiring increasing amounts of dental treatment as the years go by.
It is never too late to start having hygienist appointments to help maintain your oral health and help with your overall well-being, however old you are.
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Treatment Summary
A dental hygienist has several priorities but the main one is to minimise the risk or spread of gum disease which is widely considered to be the main cause of tooth loss.
Your hygienist will explain the different types of brushes and cleaning aids available and show you the best techniques for accessing those hard to reach areas.
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Gum Disease
This is seen as inflammation around the tissue at the base of the tooth. If not treated it will cause a gradual recession of the gum area which in turn causes loosening of the tooth. If you see any bleeding, when you clean your teeth, you are in the early stages of gum disease. Our advice would be to not worry but to book a dental hygienist appointment and adopt an improved way of cleaning your teeth.
Scale and Polish
During your appointment any tartar or plaque will be removed and the teeth given a thorough polish.
Plaque is the sticky whiteish substance that is commonly seen on your teeth. If not treated effectively it hardens and forms Tartar. Once this forms future deterioration is faster as the hard, rough surface attracts bacteria and the cycle continues.
Oral health and advice
Our hygienist will also take the opportunity to answer any questions that you may have and demonstrate how to improve your cleaning technique.
They can also support you with specific issues such as gingivitus, periodontal disease, or receeding gums which are very common in older age groups.
Book your consultation
Pre-Treatment Consultation
At Smiles, we feel it important to offer a no-obligation consultation to anyone who is considering treatment. This will enable us to fully explain the products we use and what is involved in the delivery of the treatment. It will also enable us to ask you a few health-based questions which may highlight possible contraindications to having such treatments. In this case, we will be able to advise you of alternative options. Your health and safety is of paramount importance to us and we always endeavour to ensure the safest and optimal outcome for you.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I see the hygienist?
If you have seen them regularly, we would suggest either annually, or every six months, depending on your specific oral health. This can be booked to coincide with regular dental check-ups.
If you are a new patient or have a specific problem, they may suggest several initial appointments for the first month or two to get on top of the problem and them six-monthly thereafter.
Are the appointments expensive?
Please contact our reception team for current prices. Whilst there is a cost to this it is more often a way of maintaining your dental health and facial appearance and minimising the need for costly and painful treatments in the future.
What age should I start to see the hygienist?
We suggest introducing children to the hygienist at an early age as it can often help to minimise fear and anxiety of visiting the dental practice. It also helps to instil the importance of adopting a good cleaning regime at home.
Additionally, it is a great opportunity to detect any early signs of decay and, if necessary, offer fissure sealants or fluoride to prevent further damage.