Hygienists FAQ

Why do I need to see a hygienist?

Hygienists help you clean the parts of your teeth that you cannot reach with brushing and flossing as well as teaching you how to look after your teeth and gums.

Professional cleaning as well as looking after your teeth and gums at home will help you to keep your mouth healthy as well as giving you fresher breath.

Gum disease and tooth decay does not get better on its own, so our hygienists work from a prescription from our dentists. They then plan and deliver treatment that is appropriate for you, to prevent or stabilise gum disease / tooth decay as well as monitoring and responding to any changes in your condition.

My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Should I be worried?

Bleeding is a sign of gum disease. You may see blood on your toothbrush or in the rinsing water when cleaning your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth.

It is important to see your hygienist as soon as possible. They will be able to help you remove the plaque causing the gum disease and teach you how to prevent it happening again.

Why are my gums important?

Simply put, your gums and bone support your teeth and act as their foundation. The weaker the foundation, the less support your teeth have and the more likely you are to lose them.

What do I need to know about gum disease?

• Gum Disease will weaken the ability of your bone and gum to act as the support for your teeth
• It is the most common disease known to man, affecting 90% of the world’s population
• Gum disease is responsible for the loss of more teeth than tooth decay.

Surely I will know if there is a problem?

Most people suffering from gum disease are unaware that they are, for a variety of reasons. Until the later stages, it is usually completely painless and there are few obvious symptoms.

Unchecked, gum disease progresses which can lead to tooth loss.  People commonly only notice once teeth become loose.  This may be too late. However, if treated promptly and early, the disease can be slowed, stopped and sometimes reversed.

How can I check for any symptoms?

Contact us if you notice any of the following symptoms as our hygienists will be able to help you determine whether you have gum disease:

• Are your gums red or slightly swollen?
• Do your gums ever bleed?
• Do you have bad breath?
• Do you get a bad taste in your mouth?

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by a film of bacteria called plaque. You may have noticed this as a sticky, yellowish deposit on your teeth.  Plaque is formed constantly on your teeth and gums and is what makes them feel 'furry'.  The bacteria in plaque causes inflammation and the eventual breakdown of the attachment between the gum and the tooth leading to pockets.  If plaque is left, it can absorb calcium from the saliva to form hard tartar. This cannot be removed by brushing and traps more bacteria under it whilst preventing access when brushing and flossing.

Does smoking affect gum disease?

Smoking has a definite effect for all smokers and makes gum disease significantly worse and more difficult to treat successfully.  Smoking affects the amount of oxygen in the blood needed for repair as well as decreasing overall blood flow in the gums.  Your body’s defences (immune system) are also inhibited.

What is plaque?

Plaque is mostly made up of bacteria and is the soft, sticky substance that builds up on your teeth. There are bacteria in plaque which feed on sugar from food and drink and produce acids as a waste product.

These acids attack your teeth and dissolve the minerals in their surface which can result in tooth decay. If plaque is allowed to build up, bacteria can cause gum disease and make your gums sore and infected.

Tartar (also known as 'calculus'), is hardened plaque which cannot be removed by just brushing your teeth. We will remove this using a special procedure called scaling.

What damage does plaque do?

If left on your teeth, plaque can cause:

• Tooth decay
• Gum Inflammation which can lead to gum recession
• Gum disease

If plaque is not regularly and thoroughly removed by tooth brushing it hardens to form calculus (tartar). This cannot be brushed off and requires removal by the hygienist.