Can a hygienist help prevent dental disease?

Yes!  During your visit to the Hygienist they will carefully remove the hard deposits of tartar that build up on the teeth and teach you how to prevent them coming back. This will do a lot to slow the progress of gum disease.

By talking to you about your diet and recommending other preventive measures, the hygienist can help you keep to a routine that will slow down tooth decay. Regular visits and advice will help build your confidence in keeping your mouth healthy.

You can do a lot to help yourself after all, you are the one who looks after your mouth in between visits to the practice. Your hygienist will show you how to remove plaque with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

They will also show you how to clean between your teeth with ‘interdental' brushes, floss or tape.

There are many oral care products available, including specialist toothpastes, electric or ‘power' toothbrushes, and mouthwashes. 

Your hygienist will recommend those that are best for you.

We recommend that you follow three simple steps to help keep your teeth and gums healthy:

1.  Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste last thing at night and at least one other time during the day
2.  Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
3.  Visit your dental team regularly and as often as they recommend

Cutting down the amount of sugar in your diet, and the number of times that you eat during the day, can help to reduce decay. Your hygienist can help you by looking at your decay problem and your diet and by making some recommendations for you to consider.

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.