Why visit a Hygienist?

A dental professional especially trained in oral health, the role of the hygienist in the dental team is to motivate and treat patients to help maintain their oral health; the hygienist is able to complement and enhance the skilled restorative work of the dental practitioner, enabling best use of clinical time. More teeth are lost due to gum disease than tooth decay. Regular visits to the hygienist, will help you to improve your dental health and prevent periodontal (gum) disease, bleeding gums and dental decay (caries). Diet advice, fluoride application, fissure sealants and oral hygiene instruction are all part of our programme of prevention. Our surgery is fitted with the very latest equipment including air polishing machines which gently remove unsightly staining without damaging your teeth.

Fresh breath

Halitosis (mouth odour), gingivitis (gum inflammation) and bad breath are problems that can affect many people. Be confident when laughing and smiling in company – treat yourself to regular visits with our hygienists and be assured of fresh breath.

Toothbrushing and Dental Plaque

If you get the feeling that your teeth and gums aren’t as clean as they could be even though you’ve just brushed them, you’re probably right. Plaque is a nearly colourless film that constantly forms on your teeth. It lies hidden in hard to reach places between your teeth and gums and forms from salivary proteins, bacteria and partly digested food particles.

Plaque bacteria make your gums tender and swollen, which eventually leads to chronic gum disease. If left untreated, this can progress to the loss of the bone that holds the teeth firmly in the jaws and finally, the loosening and loss of the affected teeth. The bacteria showering into the bloodstream can weaken the immune system and are recognised as contributory factors in other health problems, especially cardiovascular disease.

That is why it is so critical to thoroughly remove dental plaque everyday by toothbrushing your teeth. This prevents the build up of calculus (tartar) and reverses gum inflammation and bleeding, leading to a healthy mouth and a healthier YOU.

Manual Toothbrushes

Choose a small headed, medium strength brush that has a comfortable handle for you to grip. These features help you to place the brush head onto the correct place on the tooth and gum to be effective.

Place the filaments of the brush at the neck of the tooth, pointing into the gum area and use very short “wiggling” movements to dislodge plaque from the stagnation areas at the gum margins around the necks of the teeth. Use small movements and gentle pressure – do not wear the teeth away!. Be systematic in cleaning all of the surfaces of all the teeth. You may find that a “pen grip” minimises the use of excessive force.

Power Toothbrushes

When used correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, these brushes can be very efficient at cleaning. There are two main types of power brush; the Electric Toothbrush and the Ultrasonic Toothbrush.