Hygienist
Hygienist Treatment
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.
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.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment is available for those patients that present with unstable periodontal disease. Clinical evidence supports the need for full mouth debridement (clearance of all plaque – hard and soft deposits) both above and below the gum line. This clearance of plaque and bacteria one quadrant at a time with anaesthetic allows for the practitioner to thoroughly clean the pockets with the ultrasonic and hand instrumentation.
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During these sessions with the dental therapist/hygienist, you will be supported in improving your oral hygiene routine, in order that will be able to maintain optimal plaque control at home.
Following the treatment plan (4 sessions of cleaning and 1 review), it is anticipated that periodontal pockets will heal, and that the disease will be stabilised, thereby preventing further mobility of the teeth and promoting a much healthier mouth.
Book your consultation
Lisa-Jane Coxshall
Dental Therapist
GDC No. 285812
FdSc and BSc Oral Health Science
Lisa-Jane graduated with first honours from Essex University as a Dental Therapist in February 2021 and in 2019 as Dental Hygienist and has been short listed as Dental Therapy Student of the Year for Future of Dentistry. Lisa-Jane has worked in a number of private and NHS practices throughout East London and South East Essex as placements and more recently as a contractor.
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Lisa-Jane offers a broad range of treatments to reflect the patient’s needs, from oral health assessments, clinical examinations, restorations, paediatric dentistry, professional mechanical plaque removal to non-surgical periodontal treatment.
Lisa-Jane prides herself in providing a bespoke treatment that meets the holistic needs of patients whilst motivating them to improve their oral health through an improved understanding of how oral health is linked to their general well-being.
Whilst not in clinic Lisa-Jane lectures at Essex University as part of the Oral Health team and has twenty years experience as a teacher in primary and secondary education in addition to being an 11+ tutor. Outside of dentistry Lisa-Jane enjoys road biking, keeping fit through HIIT and making bread.
Wendy Kamunge
Dental Hygienist
GDC reg 273501
Since graduating from Oral Health Sciences course at the University of Essex in 2017, I have the gained experience from many different practices.
I am a firm believer that awareness of gum disease and attitudes can have an impressive effect on your oral health and maintain a healthy mouth.
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I believe that a smile is able to support words and expressions as well as build someone’s self-confidence therefore supporting my qualification in teeth whitening. Furthermore, ensuring you have good oral health can prevent receding gums, tooth loss and further oral implications long-term. Using evidence based practice, I will be able to provide you with personalised, tailor-made treatment which suits your best needs.
Originally from Slough, Berkshire; I have grown to love Essex and I am keen on ensuring all my patients receive best care as I find it very rewarding when an individuals oral health improves. In the future, I would like to practice my training in facial aesthetics and eventually train in skincare.
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.