Importance of Seeing the Hygienist

Our Hygienist in Lewes tells us of the importance of seeing the Hygienist and the long term benefits of regular visits! St Anne's Dental Practice is a private dental practice in Lewes focused on keeping teeth youthful, for life.

Regular appointments are not just about a scale and polish alongside a lecture about your cleaning - its more about working together as a team to ensure your mouth can be as healthy as possible.

The hygienist can assess your oral health and point you in the right direction to improve your cleaning. The hygienist may show you areas you are not cleaning effectively or help you clean the areas you just can-t get too. We can all get a little complacent with our day to day oral cleaning routine - after all most of us have been brushing for years but unfortunately gum disease is also known as a silent disease. It can be happening in your mouth for some time without you seeing any signs. The hygienist can pick up the signs of gum disease early and you can work together to either reverse or stabilize the disease process.

So, let’s start at the beginning. Gum disease is an umbrella term for gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum or gingival tissues and is usually reversible with no lasting damage. Gingivitis is caused by plaque bacteria and causes bleeding, red and swollen gums. If you see blood when you are brushing or flossing it is likely to be a sign of gingivitis and should not be ignored. The hygienist will probe around your mouth to determine if any areas bleed and can advise you on how to adjust your at-home cleaning routine accordingly. Some people will unfortunately go on to develop periodontitis. This is a more serious form of gum disease that affects the bone surrounding the teeth. This can lead to loose teeth and perhaps even tooth loss. We know certain groups of people may be more likely to develop periodontitis and they include smokers and patients with poorly controlled diabetes but there may also be a genetic link. We cannot reverse the damage caused by periodontitis but it can be stabilized. Patients with periodontitis may require more frequent hygiene appointments.

As well as assessing your gingival health the hygienist will remove any tartar or calculus. Calculus can hinder good cleaning by simply being in the way. After the calculus has been removed the hygienist may polish your teeth to remove everyday stains such as tea, coffee, and red wine. This will leave your mouth feeling cleaner and give you a nicer smile as well as fresher breath.

So, if you are concerned about your gingival health or would like the calculus or stains removed - make an appointment to see the hygienist at St Anne's Dental Practice in Lewes and you will join the growing number of regular attenders who already appreciate the importance of seeing the hygienist. Give us a call on 01273 473189.