What does a Dental Hygienist do?
Dental hygienists educate patients on the correct technique of brushing and flossing and give advice on how to maintain a good oral health routine to maintain a healthy smile. They will also professionally clean your teeth using the latest pastes and polishes to remove any build-up of plaque and tartar. These deposits cannot be removed by brushing or flossing alone, which is why it’s important to visit Millennium Dental Mosman in Mosman every six months for optimum oral health.
The main role of the dental hygienist includes:
- Assessing the condition of your gums and teeth
- Teaching you how to maintain good oral hygiene at home
- Cleaning and polish your teeth (sometimes referred to as a scale and clean)
Your first visit to the Dental Hygienist
Your first visit to our hygienist will be for one hour and depending on your needs, one or more follow-up visits may be necessary. We may recommend a follow up appointment if we find symptoms of periodontal disease (gum disease) or other conditions such as ulcers. Another symptom of bad oral health is bad breath which can be a chronic problem known as halitosis. If you experience chronic bad breath please alert your dentist and dental hygienist and they can give you the tools and knowledge necessary to treat your bad breath.
Two out of three Australians have bad breath and most don’t know it!
Breath malodour, or bad breath, is a condition experienced by many people and it often goes untreated or is accepted as normal. However, it is treatable and it need not affect your daily life anymore.
What causes bad breath
Breath malodour is usually caused by sulphur producing bacteria that live on the surface of your tongue and within your throat. Poor oral hygiene, food trapping, gum disease, tooth decay, sinusitis and dry mouth all contribute to bad breath.
Treating Bad breath
Daily scraping of the tongue, mouthwash and regular dental check-ups are very effective tools. A visit to one of our dental hygienists will help you on your way to gaining fresh breath. Your first visit will involve an assessment of the condition, oral hygiene instructions and a thorough scale and polish. A follow-up visit will be needed around six weeks later to re-evaluate the condition.
However, if the cause behind your bad breath is of a medical nature, diagnosis of your condition is essential. Once this problem is resolved, we may then begin work on eliminating your bad breath.
Our hygienists are here to help and look forward to guiding you through the correct way to keep your teeth and gums healthy for the rest of your lifetime!