Preventative Dentistry » Dental Hygiene
Dental hygienists are specially-trained members of the dental team, whose primary focus is on preventative dental healthcare and on treating gum disease. At Croydon Dental Care we have two hygienists, Corinne Tavares and Natalie Dolling.
The hygienist’s main role is in the prevention and treatment of gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss for adults in the UK. Most people will suffer from the milder form of gum disease, gingivitis, at some point in their life, and regular appointments with the hygienist are essential in preventing the more serious form of gum disease, periodontitis, from developing.
Gum disease is caused by the build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Your hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth with a scale and polish to remove all traces of plaque and tartar. Even if you have an excellent oral healthcare regime there may be areas of your mouth that are difficult to clean by yourself. If you wear braces, it can also be difficult to clean around them, making hygienist visits even more important.
The hygienist also has a vital educational role, advising and demonstrating the best way of cleaning your teeth to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. This may involve the type of toothbrush to use, brushing techniques and the use of special products including interdental brushes and dental floss. By following your hygienist’s advice at home, you can avoid the need for more invasive or expensive dental-treatments-croydon.
Hygienist treatment is not available on the NHS but is available to all patients privately, and is beneficial to both adults and children. Your dentist can also carry out tooth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, depending on the severity of your condition.
Hygienists may also take x-rays to aid your dentist in their diagnosis, and may also apply fissure sealants and offer fluoride treatments such as fluoride varnish. All hygienist treatment needs to be prescribed by your dentist.