Hygienist Services
Why should I visit a hygienist?
With more adult teeth being lost through gum disease rather than tooth decay, regular trips to the hygienist are essential to keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Regular visits, combined with dental check-ups and looking after your teeth and gums at home, will greatly improve the appearance of your teeth and your oral health.
At Bramcote Dental Practice, we offer a range of hygienist services including Professional Mechanical Plaque Removal (PMPR) treatments, preventative fluoride applications, AIR-FLOW therapy, and cosmetic, stain-removing brightening treatments.
What happens at a hygienist appointment?
Hygienists offer a professional teeth cleaning service with a process called Professional Mechanical Plaque Removal (PMPR) . During the appointment your hygienist will carry out and initial examination. They will then:
- Remove hard calculus deposits & some stains. Polish teeth
- Advise on correct usage of toothbrushes, dental floss and other cleaning aids
- Diet and fluoride advice
- Advise on keeping breath fresh
- Create a customised cleaning routine for you
- Demonstrate specialist ways to brush around appliances such as fixed braces, dentures and dental implants
- Highlight areas that are frequently missed during cleaning
Your hygienist will also provide advice about diet and preventing tooth decay. They can spot signs of gum disease and will refer you to a dentist if neded.
How often should I visit a hygienist?
It may be recommended by your dentist that you visit a hygienist regularly. The frequency of your visits will be determined by your clinical needs, but also by your own personal desire to have your teeth polished regularly. Your dentist may also recommend that you see a hygienist for a thorough clean before beginning a complex dental treatment such as dental implants.
Hygiene and gum health
We take the health of your gums very seriously. Our hygienists will professionally clean your teeth with specialist equipment to clean around and under the gum margins. An important role of the hygienist is to show you how to look after your mouth, teeth, and especially your gums so they remain healthy and free of plaque, calculus (tartar) and tooth decay. You will be shown the best tooth brushing techniques and the best way to clean between your teeth. The hygienist helps to treat gum disease and bad breath, which can be a sign of impending gum problems.
Gum disease
Gingivitis, a common form of gum disease, is a condition whereby gums become red, swollen and bleed easily. This condition can be reversed by daily removal of plaque and regular professional cleaning. If left untreated, this can lead to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss. If this is allowed to go untreated, the pockets in your gums deepen, the gums recede and the teeth can move and loosen. Severe periodontitis is characterised by very deep pockets, pus may form in the gums, and advanced bone loss occurs leading to severe loosening of the teeth, which may even fall out.
