Hygienist Appointments
A Hygienist is a dental care professional who helps in the maintenance of your teeth and gums. They will particularly help in the prevention and treatment of gum disease.
They will provide a professional clean of your teeth above and below your gum, commonly known as a scale and polish. Once plaque hardens it becomes tartar, which can only be removed by a hygienist using specialised equipment.
At High Locks we have a team of hygienists who will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums with comprehensive treatment and oral health advice.
- The hygienist will assess the health of your gums through observations and measurements.
- They will then talk through the findings along with explaining the causes of gum disease.
- Oral health advice/education will be given to help prevent and treat gum disease and a plan on the devised treatment will be discussed.
Gingivitis
Treatment of early gum disease (Gingivitis) will involve the cleaning of teeth above the gum and at the gum line.
Periodontitis
More advanced gum disease (Periodontitis) is more difficult and time consuming to treat and often requires carrying out a much deeper clean over several appointments. This can involve the use of local anaesthesia to make it more comfortable for the patient whilst the hygienist gets to the full depth below the gums where the source of the problem is.
- Intervals between appointments vary depending on the stage and severity of the gum disease however ranges from 3-6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum disease (gingivitis) is a condition where the gums become swollen, sore or infected. It is very prevalent in the adult population with most adults in the UK having gum disease of some degree. If you have gum disease your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and you may have bad breath.
If gingivitis is not treated, a condition called periodontitis can develop. This affects the tissues that support teeth and hold them in place. If periodontitis is not treated, the bone in your jaw may be damaged and small spaces can open up between the gum and teeth. Your teeth can become loose and may eventually fall out. Periodontitis and not tooth decay is the biggest cause for premature tooth loss.
