When you visit Tsawwassen Place Dental for your regular checkups with Dr. Sarah Harland or Dr. Tom Greene, it is a great idea to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly hygienists at the same time. Regular hygiene appointments are an easy and effective way to maintain a healthy and sparkling fresh smile.
One of the main reasons for seeing a dental hygienist is to have all hardened dental plaque, a substance called calculus or tartar, gently and thoroughly removed from your teeth.
Why Do I Need a Hygiene Appointment If I Brush My Teeth Regularly?
If you have an excellent oral care routine, you may wonder why you need to see a dental hygienist. However, even if you brush your teeth meticulously, it’s easy to leave some dental plaque on your teeth, and it hardens into tartar in just a couple of days. The problem with plaque and tartar is that it contains harmful bacteria that produce acids and toxins, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. By removing calculus regularly, you help protect your teeth and gums, making it easier to maintain optimal oral health.
Getting Your Oral Care Routine Back on Track
If your oral care routine has been a little lax of late and you have noticed your gums have begun to bleed slightly or feel a bit tender, a hygiene appointment can help restore oral health. It can be very effective in treating mild gum inflammation, a condition called gingivitis, and when combined with an improved oral care routine, it can reverse this condition entirely. If you notice your gums have begun to bleed, please contact our dental practice for help and advice, as healthy gums should never bleed.
What Happens During a Hygiene Appointment?
A hygiene appointment can be rather nice as your hygienist will gently examine your teeth and gums and remove all the calculus or tartar from your teeth using special hand tools. They can also clean around all dental appliances like dental implants or crowns and bridges carefully, making sure they are super clean. After removing all the calculus, your hygienist may gently polish your teeth, a process that helps to remove some surface stains, leaving your teeth looking slightly sparkly and feeling super smooth. A hygiene appointment can also help to freshen your breath.
Get Educated About Your Oral Health
You’ll also find dental hygienists are passionate about helping patients gain and maintain their very best level of oral hygiene. While your hygienist cleans your teeth, they can quickly identify any areas that could benefit from some extra attention and can show you some easy and effective ways to improve your brushing routine. Are you unsure about which toothbrush to use or which toothpaste might suit you best? Ask your hygienist for advice.
Flossing is an essential daily habit, but some people think it is too tricky or too time-consuming. Therefore they will only floss when they have something stuck between their teeth or before they visit our dental practice. However, once you know how, flossing is easy and only takes a couple of minutes. Our hygienist can show you how to floss as several tricks and tips can make this task easier to complete. Hate flossing and know you won’t ever use dental floss? There are alternatives such as interdental brushes, soft interdental pics, and electrical devices like a water pik. We can discuss these tools in greater detail, help you decide which might be the best choice for your needs. These tools can also be great for anyone who finds it difficult to manipulate dental floss. Schedule an appointment today.
