The hygienist’s role in your dental health:
Your hygienist is specifically trained to look after your gums. Healthy gums help save teeth. She will check the pockets where plaque and bacteria collect, scale around the necks of the teeth and carry out deep scaling where necessary (removing calculus that adheres to the roots of your teeth). She will smooth any overhangs or rough areas on the teeth to help prevent further plaque build up in these areas.
As the gum tissues heal, you may find that the profile of the gum against the tooth may change. This is part of the healing process.
She will also give instruction on oral hygiene practices, tools, toothpastes, and mouth rinses if necessary and advise if further treatment is required either with herself, your dentist, or a referral to a (specialist) periodontist.
If your teeth are particularly sensitive and you require a local anaesthetic, the hygienist will either do this for you or arrange this through a dentist.
Important points to remember:
- Good oral hygiene is essential
- A diet high in fruit and vegetables
- Be sure to control your sugar intake
- Refrain from smoking if possible
- Gum disease is contagious
- Check with your Doctor if you notice swollen or bleeding gums with medication
- Bad breath is almost always a sign of gum disease
- Visit your Dentist and Hygienist regularly.