Is it important to visit our hygienist Richmond on a regular basis to make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy. Although we all understand the importance of good dental hygiene sometimes our hygiene routine may not be as effective as it needs to be. This can result in plaque and tartar being allowed to form on our teeth and around our gums, leading to an array of dental issues which we may not realise that we have. Many dental issues are asymptomatic to begin with, therefore it is important that you visit our dentist on a regular basis to make sure that you have no underlying problems. Routine appointments at our dentist involve carrying out a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums and checking to make sure that they are healthy and strong. If our dentist detects excessive plaque or the build-up of tartar around your gums then they will recommend that you visit our hygienist Richmond for a professional clean, which can help remove this for you, as well as carry out further examination of your gums to make sure that they are free of disease.
To help maintain good dental health it is important to visit our hygienist Richmond at least twice a year. Not only will this enable detection of any dental issues from the outset, but it will also help you to maintain good oral hygiene and retain your natural teeth for as long as possible. If you are prone to excessive plaque or tartar then it is important that you visit our hygienist Richmond more often to make sure that your teeth remain clean and free of tartar. This is also the case for smokers, pregnant women, those suffering from diabetes and other underlying issues, upon recommendation and advice of our dentist.
What is a scale and polish?
Cleaning your teeth with the hygienist is known as a scale and polish. This is a non-invasive procedure and is usually pain free, although you may feel unusual sensations in your mouth at times. If your gums are sensitive then you may feel some discomfort. It does not require an anaesthetic, however nervous patients may wish to speak to the dentist to find out about sedation techniques to make the experience more calming and comfortable.
A scale and polish is used as a preventive treatment and is also effective for helping to manage and reduce symptoms of gum disease in patients who may have avoided the dentist for a while. A scale and polish involves scraping away bacteria and other deposits which form on the surface of the teeth, between the teeth and around the gums, using hand held tools such as a dental scaler or curette. It also involves breaking down tartar using specialised ultrasonic tools and techniques for a cleaner, healthier mouth. Once plaque and tartar have been removed, your hygienist will polish your teeth, using air and water, and often a polishing paste. This helps remove stubborn stains as well as smoothing out imperfections from the surface of your teeth. Your teeth will appear whiter and your mouth will be free of plaque deposits and tartar which you would not have been able to remove at home with brushing alone.