The hygienist’s main role is to professionally clean the teeth for the patient. This is usually called scaling and polishing. However, perhaps their most important role is showing the patient the best way to keep the teeth free of plaque,
this is important as it is plaque that contribute to dental
disease and tooth decay. The hygienist will work with your dentist to provide care tailored to your needs.
Our hygienist can also provide assessment for the treatment
of halitosis (bad
breath) and Oral Cancer (Mouth
Cancer).
Screening for gum disease forms an integral
part of your routine examination. Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection
of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main
forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.
What is periodontal disease?
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth.
As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.
What is the cause of gum disease?
All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.
What happens if gum disease is not treated?
Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.
EARLY DECAY DETECTION AND X-RAYS (click here for more information)
Decay may or may not cause discomfort;
even though it doesn’t hurt, the tooth is deteriorating.
Using higher magnification and powerful lighting, it is
easier to detect decay at an early stage to prevent excessive
tooth damage. When cavities are small, they are much easier
and less expensive to treat.
Early tooth decay does not tend to show many physical
signs. Sometimes the tooth looks healthy, but your dentist
will be able to see from an x-ray whether you have any
decay under the enamel, any possible infections in the
roots, or any bone loss around the tooth.
MOUTH GUARDS (click here for more information)
A mouthguard is a specially
made, rubber-like cover which fits exactly over your teeth
and gums, cushioning them and protecting them from damage.
It is important to wear a professionally made mouthguard
whenever you play sport that involves physical contact
or moving objects. This includes: cricket, hockey and
football – which can cause broken and damaged teeth;
and American football, boxing and rugby – which
can all cause broken or dislocated jaws. A mouthguard
will help protect against these events.
If you take part in any of these contact sports please
ask us about our range of custom made mouth guards.
Online Leaflets Want general information on a condition or treatment?
Visit the British
Dental Health Foundation where they have over 40 online
leaflets.
Online Resource Want to find out about dental treatment? Want
to know how to look after your teeth better?
Visit the new BDA
Smile web site.
3D Education Want to learn about dental anatomy, conditions,
treatments and good oral health?
Visit the BDA's cutting edge 3D Educational web site.
