Dental Hygiene
Tailored advice to help you avoid the harms of gum disease.
The importance of good dental hygiene can’t be overstated. During your routine hygienist visits, our friendly clinical team can remove harmful plaque and tartar along your gum line.
Why Hygienist Visits Matter
Banish Bad Bacteria
Plaque and tartar build up on your teeth over time. Your hygienist will remove this to prevent it from inflaming your gums and causing gum disease (which remains the main reason for tooth loss in adults).
Advice From Skilled Hygienists
Our hygienists will impart their knowledge of gum maintenance to help prevent gum disease. They can offer tailored advice on:
- The toothpaste that suits the needs of your teeth and gums.
- How to floss and brush efficiently without causing gum recession.
- How to use an electric toothbrush correctly and clean the maximum tooth surface area.
- How to incorporate more tooth-friendly food and drink into your diet.
Make your smile sparkle with Airflow® Polishing
Our state-of-the-art Airflow® polishing system is designed to give you a beautifully polished smile. If you have significantly stained teeth, your dentist may recommend this as an additional clean after your scale and polish. The best part? It’s a completely non-invasive process that uses a gentle jet of water, air, and powder.
Your Routine Hygienist Appointment
- Discussion about your oral health and whether you have experienced any concerning symptoms since your last visit with us).
- Thorough examination of your gums.
- Plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth and gum line using hand scalers, air and water.
- Airflow® polishing can be performed (optional).
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do
A dental hygienist plays a key role in maintaining your oral health by preventing and managing gum disease.
During your appointment, your hygienist will:
- Remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum line
• Assess the health of your gums
• Identify early signs of gum disease
• Provide personalised advice to improve your daily oral care
Regular visits help keep your teeth and gums healthy and reduce the risk of more complex dental problems.
What Can a Dental Hygienist Help With
A hygienist appointment can help address a range of common concerns, including:
- Bleeding or inflamed gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Plaque and tartar build up
• Early signs of gum disease
• Surface staining on teeth
Early intervention is key to preventing more serious oral health issues.
How Often Should You See a Dental Hygienist
The frequency of your hygienist visits will depend on your individual needs.
Many patients benefit from appointments every six months, while others may require more frequent visits if they are prone to gum disease or plaque build up.
Your hygienist will recommend a personalised schedule based on your oral health.
Who Can Benefit from Hygienist Visits
Dental hygiene appointments are beneficial for:
- Patients looking to maintain healthy teeth and gums
• Those with a history of gum disease
• Smokers or patients prone to staining
• Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment
• Anyone wanting to improve the appearance of their smile
Regular care helps maintain both oral health and confidence.
Dental Hygienist in Colchester
At Creffield Lodge Dental Practice, our hygienists provide care for patients in Colchester and the surrounding Essex area.
We focus on preventive treatment and tailored advice to help you maintain a healthy smile long term.
Our approach combines professional cleaning with practical guidance you can apply at home.
Caring for Your Teeth Between Hygienist Visits
Maintaining good oral hygiene between appointments is essential.
- Brush twice daily using the correct technique
• Clean between your teeth using floss or interdental brushes
• Reduce sugary food and drink where possible
• Attend regular dental check ups
These habits help support the work carried out during your hygienist visits.
FAQs
Do I need to visit the hygienist if I have braces?
Yes. Visiting the hygienist when you have fixed braces will help remove plaque and tartar that can easily become stuck around your brace.
This is a worthwhile undertaking, as it will reduce your chance of developing gum disease during your orthodontic treatment (your risk can become heightened during this time, as braces can be a challenge to brush and floss with).
What Is plaque, and why is it bad?
Plaque is the accumulation of food, bacteria, and saliva protein. Plaque is removed from our gum line each time we brush and floss, but everyone develops a certain degree of lingering plaque on their teeth – which is where the hygienist comes in.
Failing to have this removed causes it to harden and become tartar, a yellow pernicious substance that will go on to cause gum inflammation, bleeding and gum disease.
What happens if my hygienist diagnoses me with gum disease?
Don’t panic – there is always a way back for your oral health and smile.
If gum disease is in its early stages, we may recommend a series of cleaning sessions and a change to your diet or lifestyle habits. If your symptoms are severe, we can recommend you out-of-practice to a trusted specialist in treating advanced gum disease.
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