When to see a Dental Hygienist (and what to expect)
Here at Kowhai Dental, we love our work. But we also know that not many people love having to visit us (at least, not until they leave with a beautiful new smile). So the idea of seeing a hygienist as well as a dentist doesn’t tend to get people grinning. However, a good dental hygienist can work wonders for the look, feel, and health of your mouth. Visit one of our hygienists regularly, and it’s much less likely you’ll need to spend long hours in one of our dentists’ chairs. Many people misunderstand what services dental hygienists provide, why they’re important, and how often you need to see them. So first things first, what is a dental hygienist?
Why do I need to see a dental hygienist?
1. To get your teeth really, truly, properly clean
Many people think there’s no need to see a dental hygienist, because they already clean and floss their teeth regularly. Why get somebody else to do it when you already do it yourself?
While it’s true that having a good oral hygiene routine at home certainly matters, there’s two problems with this approach. Firstly, you can’t clean everywhere. No matter what products you’re using or how thoroughly you brush and floss, bacterial deposits can build up in all sorts of hard-to-reach places (especially under your gums). Secondly, plaque (the sticky film of food and bacteria that forms on your teeth) eventually hardens into tartar (which is more like concrete). You need special instruments (and trained expertise) to get your teeth completely clean… and you need to get your teeth completely clean to avoid 2. below.
2. To treat bad breath, loose teeth, and/or gum problems
If you have persistent bad breath, blood in your saliva after brushing, sore or swollen gums, a receding gum line or loose teeth, it’s time to book a visit to the dental hygienist. Bad breath tends to be caused by bacteria under the gumline, which can be easily removed by a dental hygienist (but not by your toothbrush at home). Gum disease can also be treated, but don’t delay – short-term, gum disease tends to be unpleasant and painful, but long-term it can lead to serious problems (including tooth loss). Following treatment, a good dental hygienist will also advise you on how to prevent problems reoccurring in future.
What does a dental hygienist do?
Generally, your dental hygiene appointment will include a full examination of your teeth and gums, a thorough cleaning of your teeth, and advice you need to maintain good oral health:
Your dental hygienist will check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer, while also assessing the overall condition of your teeth.
Next, your dental hygienist will clean and polish your teeth thoroughly – removing bacterial deposits, plaque and tartar on your teeth and under your gums.
Finally, they’ll talk you through any further treatment you may need and give you recommendations for home tooth care. Dental hygienists are highly skilled in preventing periodontal disease.
What is periodontal disease?
Better known as “gum disease”, periodontal disease tends to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It’s often painless, so many people don’t know they have it.
Gum disease begins with a buildup of what’s politely known as “biofilm” – and less politely known as a mixture of saliva, food, bacteria and bacterial deposits that clings to the surface of your teeth.
If left uncleaned, biofilm causes the gums to become red and sensitive – often the first sign of gum disease is bleeding when you brush your teeth.
Over time, the biofilm bonds to the teeth and becomes impossible to remove by brushing and flossing.
The condition of the gums worsens – they become inflamed, swollen, and sore.
Eventually, gum disease weakens the bones that support the teeth, and if it goes untreated long enough they cannot be saved.
Dental hygienists can’t:
Perform more intensive dental treatments such as fillings, root canals, tooth extractions and dental implants.
What procedures do hygienists carry out?
In addition to assessing the condition of your teeth and gums, dental hygienists offer a range of procedures. Typically, these include:
Scale and polish
Deep clean (or Perioscopy)
Dental pocket cleaning. Some dental hygienists also offer tooth whitening services, stain removal, and fluoride treatments.
What is a scale and polish?
A “scale and polish” can sound a little intimidating – like a setting at a car wash – but it basically means “a routine clean”. First, the teeth are scraped clean (scaled) using an ultrasound scraper and/or special hand-held instruments. This removes all hard and soft bacterial deposits, both above and below the gum line. Then, the teeth are polished – leaving you with smooth, shiny teeth and a fresh, clean mouth. Polishing also helps smooth out imperfections in your teeth, making it more difficult for plaque and tartar to build up in future.
What is a deep clean? What about perioscopy?
If you haven’t had your teeth professionally cleaned in six months or more, your dental hygienist will probably recommend a procedure called a “deep clean”. More thorough and extensive than a scale and polish, a deep clean involves scaling, a process called “root planing”, and careful examination of your mouth to check for pockets (more on this later). Some dental hygienists call a deep clean a “periodontal clean”, as it’s designed specifically to treat and prevent periodontal (gum) disease.
Scaling
As detailed above, scaling involves scraping your teeth clean of plaque and tartar using either ultrasonic or manual instruments (or often a combination of both). If you haven’t had your teeth cleaned in some time, extensive scaling will be required (remember, plaque hardens into concrete-like tartar over time!).
Root planing
Here’s where the name “deep cleaning” starts to make a little more sense. Root planing involves cleaning right down to the roots of your teeth, using scaling instruments to remove plaque and tartar from every surface of your pearly whites (don’t worry, you’ll be given a local anaesthetic!). Root planing tends to take a minimum of two visits, and may also require a follow-up appointment to check everything looks healthy. If you require root planing it’s likely you have inflammation, so your dental hygienist will want to make sure the condition of your gums improves after the procedure.
Dental pocket examination
As part of the deep clean process, your dental hygienist will check around your teeth to see if you have any pockets. What are pockets? Well, in clothing terms, pockets are a space to store things. In teeth terms, the same rule applies – except the space is located between your teeth and your gums, and unfortunately the space tends to be full of bacteria. Most of us have at least a little space between our teeth and the space where our gums attach to them, but in a healthy mouth this space should be no more than 3mm deep. When your gums are unhealthy, they start to pull away from your teeth and pockets start to form. Pockets are 5mm deep or more – that’s 5mm packed with bacteria, bacterial deposits, food particles and other unpleasantness – and once the gum gets irritated and inflamed, it’s all trapped there next to your tooth. Fortunately, there’s a process for getting rid of it.
What is dental pocket cleaning?
Dental pocket cleaning involves careful, thorough cleaning of dental pockets to remove any buildup and prevent further damage to the teeth and gums. Pockets need to be carefully monitored and kept scrupulously clean to prevent infection. Because they easily fill up with bacterial deposits, pockets can develop painful abscesses that cause bone destruction and even tooth loss. Fortunately, a good dental hygienist can monitor any pockets they find and recommend products for you to use at home that will help.
Does visiting a dental hygienist hurt?
Scaling and polishing tends to be relatively pain-free, but sometimes it can be a little uncomfortable if you haven’t had your teeth cleaned for longer than six months. For more intensive procedures, such as deep cleaning or dental pocket cleaning, you’ll probably be given a local anaesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain. If you experience any discomfort at all – no matter what you’re seeing the dental hygienist for – it’s important that you let them know so they can keep you comfortable.
Can dental hygienists damage your teeth?
That’s an easy one to answer – no. Hygienists are trained professionals who are dedicated to caring for your teeth. Trying to scrape or whiten your teeth at home can damage your teeth, however. Other than brushing and flossing, you should only use home treatments after consulting with your dentist or dental hygienist.
Will my teeth be sensitive afterward?
Sensitivity after a scale and polish
Your mouth may feel a little tender after a scale and polish, but it should fade in a matter of hours or a day at most.
Sensitivity after a deep clean or pocket cleaning
If you require more extensive treatment, it’s more likely you’ll experience some sensitivity afterwards. When you haven’t had your teeth professionally cleaned in a while, there’s a reasonable chance your gums are inflamed and swollen, so cleaning them – especially right down to the roots – can cause some discomfort. In addition, scaling exposes areas of the teeth that were previously covered by tartar, and these places tend to be a little painful initially. Think of them like new skin when a scab comes off. As a general rule, any initial discomfort you feel should be gone within a day or two. Tooth sensitivity lasts a little longer, but should be gone within a week.
Tips for managing tooth sensitivity
Wait at least a day before flossing.
Brush your teeth gently – but regularly – until sensitivity decreases and you can use your normal level of pressure.
Avoid very cold drinks and ice cream.
Avoid hot drinks, like coffee and tea (coffee can also stain your newly cleaned teeth).
Avoid hard foods like apples and crusty bread.
Learn more: View more tips for sensitive tooth care on the NZ Health Navigator website →
Just remember – any sensitivity you feel will probably be very minimal compared to the pain of gum disease or cavities, which you’re helping to prevent by visiting a hygienist.
A good dental hygienist will also give you personalised advice on caring for your teeth after your visit.
Ready to book an appointment?
Get in touch with us now, or meet our team of friendly dental hygienists.