The vast majority of our Staines patients attend our dental practice every six months or so for a check up. Occasionally, these might have to be cancelled for one reason or another and all that we ask is that you give us as much notice as you possibly can. We also recommend that you book a new date at the same time so that you don’t forget and miss an appointment altogether. In most cases, the check up is routine and enables us to monitor your overall oral health and identify any issues that might need addressing.
So far, so good, but while dental check ups are attended regularly, this isn’t always the case with dental hygienist appointments. Perhaps this is because people want to avoid painful toothaches and see hygienist appointments as ‘optional extras’. This is definitely not the case though and it is just as important to have six monthly appointments with them too.
Nobody wants to lose a tooth, and yet, perhaps there is still a lack of understanding on the part of some of our patients. Tooth loss can occur through decay of course, but fewer people also understand that almost as many teeth are lost through gum disease. While early stage gum disease, known as gingivitis, can present some unpleasant symptoms, it is the more advanced stage known as periodontitis which can have more devastating consequences. This is because the bacteria will eventually reach beneath the gum line and attack the tooth roots and also the surrounding bone tissue if not stopped earlier on.
Eventually as the bone starts to weaken and degrade, the tooth can become loose and eventually fall out. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Over time, even with the best brushing and flossing in the world, bacteria in the mouth will mix with minerals that are contained in our saliva. This then forms a hard crust on the teeth and around the gum line, known as ‘tartar’. This creates a rough surface that makes it easier for more bacteria to become attached to. This can not be removed at home, and, if left, increases the likelihood of periodontal disease. This is where the dental hygienist comes in.
If you haven’t seen the hygienist at our Staines dentist before, you may require a double appointment for your first visit as there will be more tartar removal that needs to take place. After this, most people will require a single session every six months. For those at a higher risk of gum disease, such as smokers and diabetics, we might suggest that more frequent visits are needed.
The hygienist will discuss your oral health and lifestyle habits and may make suggestions to help you maintain a healthier mouth. This might include better cleaning tips, a type of toothpaste they feel you would benefit from and general information which will also help. The main part of your visit though will consist of a procedure known as a ‘scale and polish’.
Sometimes known by patients as a ‘scrape’ and polish, from the first part of the treatment that we will discuss in a moment. This is an important but non-invasive procedure that removes hardened tartar and will thoroughly clean your teeth and around the gum line and help you to avoid gum disease. You should still maintain a good home cleaning regime of course, but this treatment will be really beneficial for your mouth health.
The scale and polish procedure usually consists of three parts. No local anaesthetic is usually required.
Part 1 - Manual tartar removal
The bulk of the tartar removal takes place using a hooked implement which is used to scrape away most of the tartar and especially that which is trapped between the teeth. This should not be painful but you are likely to feel a pulling sensation which can feel strange but is nothing to worry about. Once this is done, the next steps can take place.
Part 2 - Sonic cleaning
In order to move most of the remaining tartar, a special tool is used called a sonic scaler. This uses high frequency soundwaves to shatter the tartar. As this is ‘blasted’ away, it is collected with a water vacuum. There should be no discomfort during this part of the treatment and, once completed, little or no tartar will remain.
Part 3 - Professional polish
Using a special brush and paste, the dental hygienist will then brush your teeth, removing any remnants of tartar and giving your teeth a thorough clean. There is an added bonus to this part as it can also remove some surface staining from your teeth, leaving them looking a little whiter and cleaner.
Some of our local Staines patients even find that they like this relatively minor improvement so much that they go on to have a teeth whitening procedure at a later date to explore the potential whiteness of their teeth. From the point of this procedure though, your risk of gum disease is greatly reduced if you make a dental hygienist visit a regular part of your oral health care regime. When this treatment is complete, you will find that your teeth both look and feel much cleaner and also smoother when you run your tongue over them.
We hope that this blog has convinced you of the need for this treatment and whether you have never been before, or used to do and let it slip, it is never too late. If you would like to make an appointment with the hygienist at Clarence Dental you can do so by calling us today on 01784 463 695.
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
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