A hygienist helps by providing deep cleaning for patients’ teeth and helping with the removal of plaque and decay. They can also give guidance to patients about how to look after their teeth at home to prevent long-term teeth and gum problems.
Not all dentists have a hygienist in Richmond, but this is an extra service we offer to patients in need of extra dental care.
The hygienist’s job at our clinic
At Sheen Dental, our hygienist in Richmond provides appointments lasting between 30-45 minutes to give patients a scale and polish treatment. They can also give advice about how patients can look after their teeth at home. This can be an issue for some patients when they have had a build-up of decay between the teeth. This comes from food or drink that hasn’t been properly cleaned. Over time, this can build up to turn into plaque. For patients with sensitive teeth or gum problems, our hygienist in Richmond can suggest products that can help.
At your appointment
You’ll be given an assessment and if further analysis is needed, our hygienist in Richmond will take an x-ray. From this, they’ll be able to get a better idea of any problem areas and the extent of the damage.
You’ll be told the results and shown on the x-ray image where the problem is. Treatment options can then be discussed with you, as well as how many appointments are likely to be needed.
Your hygienist will complete the deep clean, giving plenty of reassurance to make you feel comfortable. The treatment is usually pain-free. However, you can be given some local anaesthetic so that you don’t feel anything. You’ll be given a pair of transparent glasses to wear during the treatment, to protect from the removal of the plaque.
What advice will I get?
Our hygienist in Richmond will give you guidance about how to effectively clean your teeth to remove food. For places where food may get stuck more easily, you can be guided on how to keep these clean or prevent sensitivity. Cleaning can be done using products such as dental floss or tape, interdental brushes and high fluoride toothpastes.