Dental hygienists don’t just clean your teeth – they are there to check that your teeth and mouth are in good health and offer advice on the best products and techniques required to maintain good oral hygiene. Sometimes a hygienist may even offer you dietary advice if they believe that it will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Neglecting your oral hygiene can cause discolouration or staining of the teeth, gum disease (swollen, inflamed and bleeding gums) and even tooth loss.

Here are some of the things a dental hygienist can do for you.

Scaling and Polishing

By scaling and polishing your teeth, the hygienist at Dublin18 Dental Care serving Carrickmines removes plaque (a yellowish coloured substance that clings to your teeth caused by a build up of bacteria) and tartar (also known as calculus, plaque that has become hard and scaly over time). A dental cleaning helps makes your teeth both look and feel cleaner and will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Fluoride Therapy

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen tooth enamel. It is applied to the surface of the teeth in the form of a gel, foam or varnish, to help prevent plaque from forming.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants work in a similar way to fluoride application. A clear or tooth-coloured substance is applied to the teeth (mainly those at the back of the mouth) to form a protective layer that will ‘seal’ the surface of the tooth and make it smoother. This treatment helps prevent plaque build-up both on and around the teeth and protects them from decay.

Hygienists are there to give patients advice and guidance about the best ways that they can look after their teeth. First and foremost, a visit to the hygienist should be seen as a preventative step –  hygienists have been specially trained to notice problems with your teeth and gums at an early stage in order to prevent them developing into more serious conditions.