Hygienists have been specially trained to help you look after your teeth and gums. You may need a number of appointments to get your mouth to a good level of health that you can easily maintain. During your visits to our hygienist she will thoroughly clean and polish your teeth to remove sticky plaque film, hard deposits of calculus and stain from tea, coffee or red wine. Your hygienist will also show you how to remove the plaque on a daily basis with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and how to clean between your teeth with ‘interdental' brushes, floss or tape. There are many oral health care products you can get, including specialist toothpastes, electric or ‘power' toothbrushes, and mouthwashes. Your hygienist will recommend those that are best for you. Your hygienist can also help you by looking at your diet, and by making some recommendations for you to consider. We recommend that you follow simple steps to help keep your teeth and gums healthy:
You can do a lot to help yourself and the hygienist, as you are the one who looks after your mouth in between visits to the practice and your daily care makes all the difference.
Chewing sugar-free gum for 10 minutes after meals can also help to prevent tooth decay. Chewing gum makes your mouth produce more saliva, which cancels out the acid produced in your mouth after drinking and eating.
After your appointment with the hygienist you will be armed with new efficient ways to look after your dental health during your ‘at home routine’, and together we can keep your mouth in tip top condition!