Oral hygiene covers more than just brushing and flossing, this is why an annual visit to the hygienist is recommended. However your dental professional may suggest you see the practice hygienist of there are signs of gum disease or your teeth are in need to an extensive clean.

What treatments do hygienists cover?

The dental hygienist will be able to perform treatments such as a scale and polish, tartar removal and apply sealants or varnishes to the teeth. They are also capable of taking dental x-rays as and when needed. In addition to the actual work carried out they can provide advice and guidance on how to prevent dental decay. The treatments should not cause any discomfort but if any is felt they will be able to apply creams or use an aesthetic to numb the area.

Having an annual scale and polish will help control the build up of harmful tartar. During the clean they will use high pressured water to clean into the gums and this can help prevent gum disease from occurring as well as being an effective treatment for the condition.

Food and diet

Some of the things you can do to support the work of a dental hygienist include reducing sugary foods and drinks and chewing sugar free gum for 10 minutes after eating. Also if you smoke they will suggest that you quit as smokers suffer with gum disease and tooth loss more readily than non-smokers.

In addition to this remembering to brush twice a day and floss every night will help reduce the build up of plaque and tartar. You may also find that using an electric toothbrush helps you reach all the teeth as well as being more effective at removing plaque from the teeth’s surfaces.