Dental Hygienist in Tettenhall Wolverhampton
A Dental Hygienist looks after your teeth and gums. Hygienists teach you to look after yourself, and as a result, keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy. People keep their teeth longer than they used to, and consequently, they need to have their teeth checked more frequently. The Dental Hygienist will see you regularly and as a result will also be able to assess your teeth and gums for other dental diseases. If the hygienist spots anything, she will be able to arrange for a dentist to see you, to further assess if you need any treatment.
What does a dental hygienist do?
Dental Hygienists have a wide scope of practice. Some of the procedures they provide are listed below:
- Scaling and Polishing
- Oral hygiene instruction
- Toothbrushing instruction
- Dietary advice
- Treatment of Gingivitis
- Treatment of Periodontitis (gum disease)
- Flouride application
- Application of fissure sealants
All of the above treatments provide preventative care in order to make sure you don't suffer from dental disease. Changes in the law have now made possible for you to see a hygienist without a prescription from a dentist and consequently made it easier for you to access their care.
Tooth brushing and oral hygiene tips
Regular flossing and toothbrushing will make sure that the amount of plaque in your mouth is kept to a minimum. Dentists and dental hygienists recommend brushing for at least 2 minutes a day and at least twice a day. It is equally important to remember to clean in between your teeth, if you don't, you are only cleaning 3 out of 5 tooth surfaces. Flossing or inter-dental brushes are the best ways of doing this.
Don't use a hard bristled toothbrush as this can lead to damage to your enamel. Always use a soft bristled brush, or ideally, an electric toothbrush. Don't brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking anything acidic, for example, orange juice. You risk scrubbing the enamel off your teeth if you do.
Avoid snacking as this can lead to repeated attacks on your teeth.
Most importantly, do not smoke! Smoking leads to a whole host of gum problems, and as a result, early loss of your teeth.
