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Dental hygienists are specially trained to work with the dentist in giving care to patients. They play and important role in dental health care and are mainly concerned with gum health, showing people correct home care and applying preventive materials to the teeth and gums.

What is the hygienist’s role in the practice?

The hygienist’s main role is to professionally clean the teeth for the patient. This is usually called scaling and polishing. However, perhaps their most important role is showing the patient the best way to keep the teeth free of plaque. They also give advice on diet and preventing dental decay. The hygienist will work with your dentist to provide care tailored to your needs.

Can a hygienist do anything else?

Dental hygienists are now able to take dental x-rays. The dentist will use these to help diagnose problems and decide on their possible treatment. All hygienists who take x-rays will have had the necessary training and hold a certificate.

If the dentist suggests that you have fissure sealants, he may refer you to the dental hygienist because it is one of the tasks they are trained to carry out.

Why is this treatment important?

Regular professional cleaning combined with looking after your teeth and gums well at home will help keep your mouth healthy. A clean and healthy mouth will improve your appearance, help you to keep your teeth and give you fresh breath.

Can a hygienist help prevent dental disease?

This is what the training of the hygienist is all about. Carefully removing the hard deposits of calculus (tartar) that build up on the teeth and teaching you how to prevent it reforming will go a long way to slowing the progress of gum disease.

By discussing your diet and recommending other preventive measures, the rate at which your teeth decay can also be slowed down. Regular visits and advice will help build your confidence in maintaining your oral health and achieving a healthy mouth.

What help is available for children?

Children can benefit from having their teeth polished. The hygienist can also apply fluoride gels and solutions to help prevent decay.

The permanent back teeth can also benefit from having the biting surfaces sealed. This is done by applying a special plastic coating to the biting surface soon after they come through. For further information refer to the leaflet ‘Tell Me About Pit and Fissure Sealants’.

What can I do to help the hygienist?

You can do a great deal to help yourself and the hygienist, as you are in control of your mouth between visits to the practice. Your hygienist will have shown you how to remove plaque with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You will also have been shown how to clean between you teeth with floss, tape or little brushes.

There are many oral care products now available including specialist toothpastes, powered toothbrushes and mouthwashes. Your hygienist will recommend those that are best for you.

We recommend you follow three simple steps to help keep your teeth and gums healthy:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks
• Visit your dentist at least once a year.

Cutting down the amount of sugar in your diet and the number of times that you eat during the day can help to reduce decay. Your hygienist can help you by looking at your decay problem, your diet and by making some recommendations for you to consider.

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can also help to prevent tooth decay. Chewing gum makes your mouth produce more saliva, which in turn cancels out the acid produced in your mouth after drinking and eating.

Tooth Whitening (also known as 'bleaching') is the most popular cosmetic dental treatment

We recommend white fillings instead of mercury silver fillings.

We recommend regular 6 month check-ups and cleaning.

Implants are the only truly long-term solution to tooth loss, they will never require root canal treatment and they will never decay.

We recommend regular 6 month check-ups and cleaning.