Our qualified hygienists are important members of our team who work closely with our dentists to prevent and treat gum disease, by encouraging good oral hygiene.
Gum disease is caused by the bacteria in plaque, which can irritate the soft tissue, causing redness, soreness and bleeding. This early stage is known as gingivitis and, if not addressed, it can develop into periodontitis. This is a more serious stage of the disease, which can lead to pockets forming around the teeth and may result in them becoming loose.
Our hygienists can spot the early signs and assess the depth of any pockets that have developed around the teeth. A chief part of their role is to ‘scale and polish’ your teeth to remove hardened plaque (tartar). As well as cleaning your teeth, this also creates a smooth surface which discourages further plaque from adhering. If gum disease has reached a later stage, the hygienist can treat this by cleaning further below the gum line to debride the surface of the root surface and reduce inflammation.
In addition to their ‘hands-on’ work, hygienists also demonstrate how to use dental tools, such as brushes and floss, and offer healthy lifestyle advice so you can maintain the health of your teeth at home.