Maintaining a healthy smile goes beyond just brushing and flossing. While these daily habits are undoubtedly essential, and regular dental checkups are extremely important, dental hygienist appointments are just as crucial for good oral health.
Dental hygienists are oral healthcare practitioners that work closely with dentists to provide comprehensive teeth health services to patients. Hygienists specialise in preventive dental care, providing expertise in ensuring the longevity and vitality of your teeth. From removing stubborn plaque to detecting early signs of dental issues, dental hygienist appointments are extremely important for ensuring your teeth stay healthy.
Whether you’re a diligent brusher that attends regular dental checkups, or someone who forgets to floss from time to time, regular visits to a dental hygienist should be an indispensable part of your oral healthcare routine. Let’s explore the significance of dental hygienist appointments for helping you take care of your dental wellbeing and preserve your smile for many years to come.
Expertise and preventative care
Whilst you have no doubt been brushing your teeth and hopefully flossing ever since you can remember, this does not make you an expert in oral hygiene and health. Dental hygienists are qualified and licensed to carry out various oral hygiene tasks, including teeth cleaning, applying fluoride treatments, examining patients for signs of oral diseases, taking dental x-rays, and also educating patients on proper oral hygiene practices.
A key role hygienists play is periodontal care. For patients that are at risk of gum disease, they can provide deep cleaning procedures such as scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline and in areas of the teeth that are hard to reach. Plaque is constantly forming on your teeth, and whilst it’s important to brush and floss your teeth daily, visiting a hygienist is still important as they have the expertise and specialist equipment to remove plaque more effectively.
Personalised advice
Dental hygienists provide personalised advice tailored to your specific needs. As well as teaching you the correct brushing and flossing techniques, they can also recommend the best oral care products for your needs, for example, the electric toothbrushes that provide the best fit for your teeth. Hygienists also provide important advice on other practices to support oral health, including maintaining a healthy diet.
Detecting problems early
During dental hygienist appointments, oral health professionals examine your teeth, gums and mouth for signs of oral diseases, including cavities in your teeth, gum disease, oral cancers and other abnormalities that you may not have noticed yourself. Attending regular dental and dental hygienist appointments is essential for early detection of potential oral health problems. The earlier problems can be identified, the earlier that health professionals can intervene and prevent the progression of these conditions.
Overall health monitoring and long-term oral health
Oral health is closely linked to overall health, so regular appointments to monitor your oral health and carry out preventive care also allow for monitoring and detention of other health problems such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, signs of which may manifest in the mouth.
Ultimately, by viewing oral hygiene appointments as importantly as dental checkups, we stand a better chance of preserving our smiles and maintaining optimal oral and general health in the long-term. Attending appointments with a dental hygienist is absolutely crucial for preventive and personalised care and can also contribute to overall well-being.
Arrange Dental Hygienist Appointments
If you are committed to your teeth health and are looking for a dental practice in the Basingstoke area, you can book a dental hygienist appointment at Dentalia.
