Hygienist
Here at Priory Dental our Dentists are supported by the expert skill and knowledge of our Dental Hygienist Margaret Lohman. Whether you are in need of a scale and polish to leave your mouth feeling clean, or advice on the best way to look after your teeth at home she is here to help.
Margaret takes the time to get to know every patient as an individual and will always do her best to accommodate your needs. With the long-term health of your mouth in mind she will prepare tailored oral hygiene care to suit you today and in the future.
Visit Priory Dental for high quality Hygienist care at an excellent price.
At Priory Dental we believe our dental hygiene services offer exceptional value for money – with 30 minute appointments as standard.
What does a Hygienist actually do?
If you haven’t been to a dental hygienist in a while you may wonder what services they offer.
One of the most commonly performed tasks of the hygienist is the ‘scale and polish’.
This involves giving your teeth a thorough clean, removing any built-up plaque (or tartar) from in and around the teeth and polishing them to restore shine. Within just one appointment your mouth will feel fresher and cleaner and any bad breath could be greatly improved.
We will check the health of your gums paying particularly attention to the presence of any ‘pockets’ which could cause gum disease.
Just as a Dentist would do at your regular dental health check, your mouth will also be checked for any changes or signs, which could indicate more serious issues such as cancer.
A Hygienist can give you information and advice on your diet and oral cleaning habits – recommending specific devices to help with any problem areas. If you’d like to find out more about interdental brushes, bridge needles, dental floss or mouthwash then this is the place to come!
Why is it important to visit the Hygienist?
Never underestimate the importance of a dental hygiene appointment. The health of your teeth is directly linked to the health of your gums, therefore it is imperative that both are well looked after and that any problems are dealt with quickly.
Even when you clean your teeth twice a day it’s impossible to stop the gradual build-up of plaque which appears on your teeth. As time passes, this plaque layer gets harder and can begin to irritate the gums. You may notice redness, bleeding and bad breath – this is actually the early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis.
If this plaque layer is left, your body can take matters into its own hands attacking it and starting to break it down. In a number of people this reaction can have a detrimental effect, because, not only does it attack the plaque, but the gum too, causing it to recede. In serious cases you could lose a tooth completely.
Could I have Gum Disease?
Gum Disease is a surprisingly common condition with up to 80% of adults in the UK suffering from it in one way or another. In fact, it’s responsible for the majority of lost teeth in adults.
You’re chances of developing gum disease increase with age – although the risks are exacerbated by other factors such as smoking, poor oral hygiene, bad diet and certain medical conditions like diabetes.
Often the signs of gum disease are quite obvious (they may include bleeding, bad breath, darkened gums and painful or loose teeth) but for other patients there can be no signs at all. That’s why it’s important to visit your Hygienist on a regular basis. Unfortunately, gum disease can’t be cured but if caught it can be treated and controlled.
If gum disease is left untreated, your gums may start to recede and the jawbone will shrink. Overtime teeth can become wobbly or may even fall out completely. Bone recession can also cause major problems in the future as a lack of bone can make it impossible to fit dental implants without many months of grafting.
Once the gums have receded they won’t grow back- but we can help you protect them today so the problem doesn’t get any worse!
To arrange your next hygiene appointment call us on 01926 864015 or book online.
