Treatments

Dental Hygiene » Hygiene

  • Good oral hygiene is paramount in avoiding gum disease and tooth decay. Confidence grows from having healthy teeth, gums and fresh breath. Here at ConfiDental, we are able to offer the latest in preventative treatments to promote healthy teeth and gums.

    The Problem of Dental Plaque:

    Gum disease is caused by plaque, which is a film of bacteria that forms on the surface of teeth and gums daily. If not removed sufficiently, this can lead to bad breath, decay to teeth and inflammation of the gums which in turn could in time develop into bone loss, loose teeth and even their eventual loss.

    Even with regular brushing, flossing and use of mouthwashes, plaque can still accumulate in areas difficult to reach such as back teeth, between the teeth and tongue side surfaces.

    Next Step

    Your dentist will advise you during your check up if hygiene appointments are recommended, and will formulate a prescription for the hygienist to carry out according to your requirements.

    During your hygiene appointment, your hygienist will monitor the condition of your gums for signs of disease and any pocketing which may have developed around the teeth. The plaque and calculus (tartar) that has formed will be removed using either or both, hand scalers and an ultrasonic scaler (vibrating tip with water). Our hygienist’s are also able to offer Prophy flex treatments which are fantastic at removing stains caused by smoking, red wine, coffee etc.

    Using the right products helps enormously with your oral hygiene routine. It is our hygienist’s policy to recommend particular products appropriate for you and to show you brushing and flossing techniques and tips to use every day in your oral cleaning regime.

    How often should I visit the Hygienist?

    Your hygienist will recommend a recall period specific to you. This will vary according to each individual. Some people are advised to return every 3 months, 6 months or 12 months.

    What if I require more than one hygiene appointment?

    For various reasons, some patient’s require more than one hygiene appointment, for example, if there is an extensive build up of plaque or calculus, presence of gingivitis/periodontitis (gum disease) etc. The hygienist will inform you at your first appointment and advise you how many hygiene sessions to book.

    Following your course of hygiene appointments, you may be required to book a review appointment with your dentist. At this stage it will be decided if a recall period should be set, a further course of hygiene appointments will be needed or possibly a referral to a Periodontist.