Click to Top

Hygienist

Appointments with a hygienist are essential to your oral health and dental wellbeing. Hygienists are specially trainied in tracking, preventing and treating gum disease and so are best placed to look after your gum health and help keep your mouth bacteria-free.

We are firm believers in the importance of promoting oral hygiene at Enhance Dental Surgery Crawley. As gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the UK, managing and preventing the condition is paramount. You can book hygiene appointments directly without needing to be referred.

What is gum disease?

Plaque and tartar build-ups around the gum line cause bacteria to irritate the gum tissues. If the bacteria aren’t removed from the tooth surface, the irritation worsens and can cause your gums to bleed. This stage of gum disease, gingivitis, can be treated during hygiene appointments.

If gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to recession of the gums. This can cause pockets to develop as the gum moves away from the tooth and can eventually lead to loosening of the teeth. Even at this later stage, symptoms can be mild.

What happens during a hygiene appointment?

During an appointment, the hygienist will assess the health of your gums and teeth and look for any signs of swelling, inflammation or bleeding. The hygienist may also take measurements where the gum attaches to the tooth and check for signs of oral cancer.

The main part of the appointment involves a thorough clean, known as a ‘scale and polish’. This removes any build-up of plaque and tartar. When all the surfaces are clean, the hygienist will then polish teeth with a gritty paste, leaving them feeling smooth and silky.

Regularly visiting a hygienist will not only help you maintain healthy teeth and gums, but also protect your overall well-being because poor gum health has been linked to more serious conditions such as heart disease, respiratory infections, diabetes and dementia.