When it comes to oral health, many people only think about visiting the dentist when they have a problem. However, maintaining good oral hygiene involves more than just treating issues as they arise.
One of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of dental care is regular visits to a dental hygienist. These highly qualified professionals play a key role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Their work is complementary to your dentist.
Our Dental Hygienist & Therapist, Ruhma Ali says: “Knowledge is power. One of the main aims of my appointments is to ensure I give my patients the knowledge and skills they need to maintain their own oral health.”
In this post, we look at 10 reasons why regular appointments with a dental hygienist are vital – for your overall health, not just your teeth.
1. Prevention is better than cure
Dental hygienists specialise in preventative care. Their primary role is to help you avoid dental problems before they become serious issues. Through regular cleanings and check-ups, they can remove plaque and tartar that everyday brushing and flossing might miss. These can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not properly managed.
Dental hygienists can apply fluoride treatments and sealants that strengthen your teeth and protect them from future damage. By catching and addressing potential problems early, a dental hygienist can save you from more invasive and expensive treatments down the road.
2. Professional cleaning gives optimal oral health
No matter how diligent you are with your daily oral hygiene routine, there are always areas in your mouth that are hard to clean thoroughly. Plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed regularly, it hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional.
During a cleaning appointment, your dental hygienist will use specialised tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. This is particularly important for those areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush or floss. This deep cleaning helps prevent cavities, gum disease and other dental issues, leaving your mouth feeling fresh and clean.
3. Healthy gums mean disease prevention
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common but serious condition that can lead to tooth loss. It starts with gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup. If untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth. This can lead to bone loss and, eventually, tooth loss.
Dental hygienists are trained to spot the early signs of gum disease. They can perform periodontal cleanings and treatments that help reverse the condition or prevent it from progressing. Regular visits to the hygienist are essential for maintaining healthy gums, which are the foundation of a healthy mouth.
4. Oral cancer screening
Oral cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Early detection is critical for successful treatment. During your visit, a dental hygienist will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth, looking for signs of oral cancer or other abnormalities.
This screening involves checking your lips, tongue, throat, and the inside of your cheeks for unusual spots, lumps, or sores. Regular visits to the dental hygienist increase the likelihood that problems will be caught early. This improves your chances of a full recovery if something is detected.
5. Education on good oral hygiene practices
One of the most valuable aspects of visiting a dental hygienist is the personalised advice and education they provide. They can evaluate your current oral hygiene routine and suggest improvements tailored to your specific needs. Whether demonstrating proper brushing technique, recommending the best flossing tools for you, or advising on diet and habits that affect oral health, their guidance is invaluable.
Good oral hygiene practices are essential for maintaining your dental health between visits to the dentist, and they can vary depending on your teeth and lifestyle. Your dental hygienist can help you stay on track and ensure that you are doing everything possible to protect your teeth and gums.
6. Save money in the long run
Regular visits to the dental hygienist are an investment in your long-term health. While it might seem like an additional expense, these visits can save you money in the long run by preventing more serious and costly dental problems. For instance, treating gum disease or a decayed tooth is far more expensive than a simple cleaning or fluoride treatment.
At our dental clinic in Wortley, Leeds, we offer a dental plan which includes two hygiene appointments per year, or an upgraded hygiene plan which includes four hygiene appointments per year.
7. Improve your overall health
Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Poor oral hygiene has been associated with several serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream through damaged blood vessels in the gums. This can contribute to inflammation and infection elsewhere in the body.
Regular visits to a dental hygienist help keep your mouth healthy, reducing the risk of these systemic health issues. By maintaining good oral hygiene, you are not just taking care of your teeth; you are taking care of your entire body.
8. A brighter smile
Regular cleanings with a dental hygienist can reduce or remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea, wine and tobacco, giving you a bright, beautiful smile. While these stains might not harm your teeth, they do affect the appearance of your smile.
Your dental hygienist will polish your teeth to remove these stains and leave your teeth looking cleaner and whiter. This will boost your confidence and encourage you to smile more often!
9. Reduce bad breath
Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and may indicate an underlying dental problem. Often, halitosis is caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce unpleasant odours. Regular cleaning by a dental hygienist will reduce bad breath by removing plaque, tartar and food particles – all of which contribute to the problem.
Your hygienist can also identify other issues, such as dry mouth or gum disease, that might be causing bad breath and recommend appropriate treatments.
10. Build a relationship with your dental care team
Regular visits to the dental hygienist help you build a relationship with your dental care team. This continuity of care is important because it allows your hygienist and dentist to become familiar with your oral health history. This makes it easier to detect any changes or problems over time.
A strong relationship with your dental care provider means you are more likely to feel comfortable and confident during visits, reducing any anxiety or fear you might have about dental appointments. This will give you the confidence to raise any concerns you might have about your oral health, or to ask questions about how to better take care of your teeth.
In summary
Visiting a dental hygienist regularly is a vital part of maintaining good oral health. These appointments are not just about cleaning your teeth; they are about preventing disease, protecting your overall health, and ensuring you have a smile you are proud to show off. By making regular visits to your dental hygienist a priority, you are investing in a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
The Indigo Dental Plan is a cost effective way to keep up to date with hygiene appointments. It includes twohygiene appointments and two dental assessments per year, as well as 20% off all treatments compared to pay as you go. We also offer an upgraded hygiene plan which includes four hygiene appointments per year, as well as plans for children. For more information or to join, call our team on 0113 263 2960 or visit our website and find out about all our Private Membership Plans.