Dental hygienists are dental professionals licensed to help with the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Usually, dental hygienists carry out their work independently, but they sometimes work under supervision from licensed dentists. Part of their job also includes; performing preventive dental procedures like teeth cleaning, performing patient exams to check for oral diseases and educating patients on proper hygiene routines to maintain good oral health.
Reasons to visit a dental hygienist
Routine Checkups: These are very important and should not be overlooked. During these routine checks, your dental hygienist will assess your teeth for any dental issues and ensure that you maintain good oral health. In the UK, up to 8,000 people are affected by mouth cancer yearly. This alone should be enough motivation for you to schedule routine exams with your dental hygienist, as early detection is important with all oral issues.
Dental cleaning: While maintaining good dental hygiene by yourself is very important, things like teeth stains and plaque buildup require a thorough cleaning process which can be easily carried out by your dental hygienist.
As a preventive measure: with an exam from your dental hygienist, early signs of potential oral problems can be detected and prevented easily. Your hygienist will also educate you on ways you can keep your teeth healthy and maintain overall oral health.
So, how often should you visit a dental hygienist?
The answer to this question usually depends on the individual’s circumstance and a number of other factors such as; personal dental hygiene routine, genetics, diet and pre-existing dental problems. Simply put, the frequency of your visits to a dental hygienist depends on your oral health needs and the recommendations from your oral health professional.
That being said, for adults, most dentists recommend visiting a dental hygienist at least twice a year (every six months) for routine checks, cleanings and reviews of dental history. It is also a great way for you to discuss and express whatever concerns you have about your oral health with your hygienist. For people with past or pre-existing oral issues, your visit to the dental hygienist will probably be much more frequent.
A good recommendation would be to schedule a consultation with a dental hygienist for an exam to determine how frequently you will need to visit in future. With Sherwood Park Dental Practice, you get easy access to award-winning dental hygienists who are passionate about ensuring that your teeth and gums stay healthy. If you have children, it is also recommended that they see a dental hygienist even more frequently since they are more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
Reasons for more frequent visits to a dental hygienist
Dentists recommend more frequent visits to a dental hygienist for the following reasons.
Gum disease: patients with gum disease usually need more frequent visits to the dental hygienist (every 3-4 months) for monitoring and treatment.
Bad breath: this is important especially if the bad breath is caused by an underlying health condition.
Smoking: smoking commonly causes issues like bad breath, oral infections, stained teeth, mouth sores and shrinking gums. So, it is important for regular smokers to have more frequent visits to the dental hygienist’s office.
Pregnancy: the hormonal changes during pregnancy can sometimes affect oral health (red, inflamed and bleeding gums). So it is paramount that you schedule more frequent visits to your dental hygienist when you are pregnant.
Conclusion:
Dental checks are very important for maintaining good oral health. However, the frequency of your visit should depend on your dental needs. Consult with your dentist to determine the most suitable time intervals between your visits.
