Why visiting the hygienist is important
Why It Is Important To See The Hygienist Regularly
The hygienist is mostly concerned with the prevention and treatment of gum disease. It is important that you make regular hygiene appointments as the health of our gums are paramount to our overall health, and are the foundations of healthy teeth.
Plaque is a soft sticky residue that builds up on the surface of our teeth; if this is not removed properly by brushing then it hardens and becomes tartar or calculus. This hard deposit is unable to be removed with regular brushing and can only be removed by professional cleaning tools.
Gingivititis is the early stage of gum disease. This occurs when there is a small build up of plaque around the teeth and gums, which irritate the gums causing them to bleed occasionally. If untreated, Gingivitis can develop in Periodontitis which is a serious advanced stage of the disease. Individuals who suffer from Periodontitis may experience their teeth becoming mobile as the bacteria affects the surrounding tissue of the tooth. Sufferers often notice recession of the gums; so much so that the root of the tooth is visible. This will result in severe sensitivity and pain from everyday activities from eating and drinking to breathing and talking. Furthermore, if Periodontitis is left untreated then the jaw bone may start to decay, and teeth may fall out.
Although irreversible; gum disease can easily be stabilised by regular visits to have your teeth cleaned and good oral hygiene at home. During your hygiene appointment, the hygienist will use professional cleaning tools to remove any hardened calculus from the tooth surface, below the gum line and inbetween teeth.
Following cleaning your teeth, the hygienist will most importantly go over how to maintain a good level of oral hygiene at home. Brushing and flossing techniques will be shown to you, as well as dietary advice to prevent decay and build up of plaque again.
Tags: bleeding gums, gum disease, hygiene, hygienist, staining