The role of a dental hygienist is to professionally clean a patient’s teeth, which is also referred to as scaling and polishing. In addition to the cleaning aspect a hygienist will also advise patients on how to keep their teeth free from plaque and bacteria.
The scaling is carried out with either an electronic scaler or an ultrasound cleaning device. This tool enables the hygienist to carefully remove the build up of plaque on each tooth. These tools can even clean below the gum line and are able to clean far better than any at home cleaning method. Patients from Denton and surrounding areas can easily benefit from this treatment.
The next step is the polishing, which is carried out to ensure no damage has occurred to the tooth’s enamel. The process may seem a little invasive to begin with, but it is an important part of oral health. There may be a part of your mouth that you cannot clean properly on your own, and this is where plaque will build up. If left untreated the build up will eventually cause problems such as tooth decay or gum disease.
During a visit to the hygienist a set of x-rays may be taken. This enables them to diagnose issues and plan the correct treatment with the patient. Regular visit to the hygienist are recommended, as this will help keep your mouth healthy and reduce the risk of tooth loss.
It is recommended that a professional cleaning be carried out every 6-9 months and at the very least it should be done once a year.