At Bridge Street Dental Surgery, we know the value of booking a regular hygienist appointment. We always prioritise prevention over cure, and these visits are the perfect way to prevent issues like tooth decay and gum disease, helping you keep your natural teeth for life.
If it’s been a while since your last hygienist appointment, you might have forgotten what takes place during your visit. Although the structure of each one often differs depending on your specific oral health needs, here is a rough guide so that you know what to expect:
First up, an examination!
The first step a hygienist will always take is to examine your teeth and gums. This stage will help us to identify any oral health issues you’re facing so we can begin treating them.
If you have severe tooth decay or advanced gum disease, we may also need to refer you to one of our specialist dentists for further treatment.
Removing plaque and tartar
If you have established a regular oral health routine with twice-daily brushing and flossing, we’re glad to hear it! But unfortunately, this isn’t all it takes to keep your mouth in great shape.
Even the most advanced electric toothbrushes and interdental brushes can’t replace the deep clean you’ll get during your hygienist appointment.
Without this, plaque will grow and harden, until it turns into tartar. These stubborn deposits can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Your only chance of removing them is the scale and polish treatment that dental hygienists offer.
Scale and polish treatment
The most popular treatment that hygienists offer is scale and polish, which involves scraping stubborn plaque deposits from around your teeth and gums before polishing your teeth to smooth the surface and remove stains.
Fissure sealants
Depending on the outcome of your initial examination, your hygienist might also suggest fissure sealants. This preventative treatment consists of a plastic coating which is applied to your back teeth to stop trapped food and bacteria from entering the molars and causing decay.
Fissure sealants are often used to treat children when their molars erupt, but can also be used to treat adult teeth that are at risk of decay.
Fluoride applications
Another potential treatment that you might receive during your hygienist appointment is fluoride applications, which can be used to treat baby teeth and adult teeth.
The treatment involves painting varnish on your teeth, often around twice per year. This varnish contains a high level of fluoride which hardens your enamel and wards off tooth decay.
Oral health advice
Bacteria thrive for several reasons: the overconsumption of sugary foods and drinks, irregular brushing, and lack of flossing, to name a few. A crucial part of every hygienist’s job is providing personalised oral health and diet advice, helping you develop healthier habits.
What about an appointment with a hygienist and therapist?
Kelly Tatchell is our Hygienist and Therapist at Bridge Street Dental Practice - she may see you for several other reasons alongside maintaining your oral health.
Dental therapists are also qualified to carry out procedures like extracting baby teeth, teeth whitening, attaching crowns to baby teeth, and filling or restoring adult teeth.
How long is a hygienist appointment?
Whilst this depends on the extent of your oral health issues, it won’t take as long as you think! it’s unlikely that you’ll be in there for more than one hour.
It should last around 30 to 60 minutes, although the length of your appointment depends on the condition of your teeth. It'll likely take longer if you have lots of stubborn plaque and tartar.
The more regular your appointments, the less time they’ll take - so it benefits you to see us as often as possible.
Where can I see a hygienist near me?
You must see your hygienist every three to six months unless advised otherwise. This might sound like a lot of visits, but luckily you don’t need to travel for treatment!
If you’re a Tadcaster local wondering ‘where can I see the hygienist near me?’, you’ve come to the right place. You can find us right in the heart of the Town, at 22 Bridge Street.
We’re now accepting new patients and have no waiting lists for treatment, so we can get you booked in right away. Get in touch to register or book a consultation today!
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