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Why are Dental Hygiene Appointments so Important?

All of our staff here at Leeds City Dentalcare put a lot of emphasis on preventative dental treatments, as we’d much rather help you keep your teeth and gums healthy than have to treat any dental diseases. A major part of preventative dental care involves making an appointment to see one of our dental hygienists at regular intervals, preferably at the same time as your dental checkup. Dental hygiene appointments are about much more than simply cleaning your teeth, and all the hygienists are highly trained and are able to assess the condition of your mouth.

Your Hygienist Will Check to See If You Have Any Early Signs of Gum Disease

They’ll be checking the state of your teeth and gums to make sure they don’t show any early signs of disease. You can also expect them to check whether or not you have any pockets around your gums, and the depths of these will be measured with a tiny dental probe. This part is extremely important, as pocketing around your teeth can indicate the presence of gum disease or periodontal disease. Healthy teeth should have pockets of less than 3 mm in depth, and they shouldn’t really bleed when probed.

They’ll Also Scale and Polish Your Teeth

Having your teeth professionally cleaned is an important part of your hygiene visit as it helps to remove all the hard deposits of calculus or tartar that build up on your teeth in between visits. This process is called scaling, and once it is completed then they’ll polish your teeth to help remove stains. It is a really good way of helping to freshen up your smile, and you may notice your teeth looking a bit whiter afterwards, and your breath will almost certainly be a little fresher. This part of the treatment also reflects how well you’re looking after your teeth and gums. For example if you have very little hard deposits on your teeth and you’re gum tissues are healthy and firm, and are nice pale pink, then you may be recommended to return in six months’ time. If your gums show signs of disease or if you had significant deposits on your teeth then you may be recommended to see our hygienist at more frequent intervals. This may also apply if you have any other medical conditions such as diabetes that may affect your oral health, or if you are currently pregnant.

Ask Your Hygienist about the Best Way to Clean Your Teeth

Education can be an important part of your visit to our Leeds surgery, as your dental hygienist is definitely the best person to ask about how to brush and floss more effectively. They can demonstrate different techniques to you to help improve your oral health. They may also recommend certain products such as fluoride mouthwash to help strengthen your teeth. If you find it difficult to floss then we do recommend you discuss this with our dental hygienist, as they will almost certainly be able to suggest different methods of flossing, or alternative tools such as interdental brushes or maybe a WaterPik to help make the job much easier and more effective.

Your dental hygiene appointment at Leeds City Dentalcare is about far more than just having your teeth professionally cleaned, and can help set you on the path to better oral health.

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