A dental hygienist is an oral healthcare professional who offers teeth cleanings, preventive dental care procedures, and oral hygiene counseling. These health providers work closely with your dentist to keep your teeth and the supporting structures like gums and alveolar bone healthy. They benefit by maintaining or improving your oral health in the long run.
Houston, TX dental practice hygienists carry out dental practices beyond regular home care. Let’s find out how dental hygienists can help in oral rejuvenation.
What does a dental hygienist do?
Dental hygienists help other dental professionals by offering several types of dental treatments. They aid by providing support and assistance to other professionals. The treatments offered may include the following:
Dental cleanings: A dental hygienist uses special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth surfaces. They also polish your teeth and make them less susceptible to plaque adhesion.
Tooth scaling and root planing: This procedure involves plaque and tartar removal from beneath the surfaces of your gums (subgingivally) where a regular brush cannot reach them. The roots are smoothed to prevent plaque and tartar from reattaching.
Dental X-rays: Hygienists are also trained to take dental X-rays, which are radiographs that help the dentist view your teeth, bones, sinus, etc., to diagnose oral problems.
Oral health screenings: Dental hygienists perform routine oral health screenings to check for cavities, gum disease, and signs of oral cancer and report the findings to your dentist.
Dental history review: Your oral hygienist records your dental and overall medical history. This may also include your social habits like smoking and alcohol intake. Recording your history helps the dentist understand your past dental experiences and goals for the future.
Application of dental sealants: This is an effective preventive treatment offered by hygienists to seal deep pits and grooves of your back teeth to prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation. This can greatly reduce your risk of tooth decay.
Fluoride treatment: Topical fluorides applied by hygienists can greatly reduce the risk of cavities, especially in children.
Oral hygiene counseling: Your hygienists can guide you to follow proper oral hygiene habits to improve your oral health. They offer patient education to teach proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Takeaway
Dental hygienists play an important role in helping you maintain healthy teeth and gums. They help improve your oral health by offering you several treatments that are needed beyond regular brushing and flossing at home. A healthy mouth paves the way for a healthy mind and body since it offers complete oral rejuvenation.