How Does A Hygienist Clean Teeth?

When you schedule your regular visits to your local dental clinic for a check-up, you will either see a dentist or a dental hygienist. A dental hygienist is a highly educated and skilled professional that plays an important role in the maintenance of your oral health.

What Does A Dental Hygienist Do?

A dental hygienist provides oral hygiene assessments for patients and treatment of periodontal / gum disease. They focus on promoting oral health and the prevention of periodontal disease and gingivitis by removing tartar, plaque, and stains from your teeth and ensuring your gums are healthy too.

They also offer patients personalised instructions on how to keep your oral hygiene in check. Dental hygienists will administer fluoride and sealants as cavity prevention treatments. For those with periodontal disease, the dental hygienist will provide scaling and root planing services.

How Does A Hygienist Clean Teeth?

In addition to using hand tools, a dental hygienist will employ the operation of ultrasonic devices to remove plaque, tartar and stains. These dental professionals are trained to clean your teeth and provide guidance so that you can brush and floss at home in between dental visits to promote healthy and strong teeth and gums.

Are you due for a cleaning? Contact us today at All Needs Dental to book your appointment.

Is A Dental Hygienist A Dentist?

A dental hygienist is different from a dentist. Both undergo extensive education and training but that differs for each of these positions. A dental hygienist requires extensive studies related to dental hygiene including years of education and clinical work.

Dental hygienists draw on their clinical skills to provide you with superior oral hygiene care.

An important component of the role of a dental hygienist is patient education. They use their years of study to share with you expert techniques and tips on how to keep your teeth in their best shape in between dental office visits.

Why Your Teeth Should Be Cleaned By A Dental Hygienist

Even if you are extremely thorough and diligent in your brushing and flossing habits at home, you are only removing the soft deposits on your teeth. As your teeth are continuously producing this thin film, it builds up over time and becomes more difficult to completely remove at home.

Once plaque hardens to tartar, you will not be able to remove it just by brushing. This is why you should see your dentist regularly. The dental hygienist has the tools that will remove all hard deposits from the surface of your teeth without damaging them.

What Is The Difference Between A Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist And Oral Health Therapist?

A dental hygienist, dental therapist and oral health therapist are all very important members of the team of professionals who look after the health of patient’s mouths.

A dental hygienist, dental therapist or oral health therapist are all trained at a university level in two to three-year programs that are approved by the National Board. They have different areas of education and scopes of practice however although their roles can seem similar.

A dental hygienist can provide oral health assessments, periodontal cleaning and oral hygiene instruction for patients of all ages.

A dental therapist can provide oral health assessments and cleaning and other preventive services for children and adolescents and sometimes adults of all ages if this is included in their training.

An oral health therapist has a dual qualification as a dental therapist and a dental hygienist. They can provide restorations/fillings, tooth removal, oral hygiene instruction and periodontal/gum treatments for children and adolescents and if trained in treating adults, they can also carry out these treatments for them also.

Whether you are seeing a dental hygienist, dental therapist or an oral health therapist they will always be working under the supervision of a dentist.

So if you need to book into your local dental office, you can rest assured that by seeing a dental hygienist you will receive the best dental care possible. Call All Needs Dental today to book your appointment.