The Role of a Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists carry out a very important role in preventing oral health problems and promoting good oral hygiene. Dental hygienists are trained dental professionals; they can work in a variety of different settings, including different primary care settings but usually work alongside the dental team at a dental practice.

Preventative dental treatment is based on the old adage, prevention is better than cure; preventative treatments are designed to try and prevent dental health problems, rather than waiting for conditions to develop and then treating them. Examples of preventative treatments include fluoride varnish, sealant treatments and cleaning treatments.

Cleaning treatments are very popular; most of us notice the difference a dentist’s clean can make compared to normal brushing; the teeth feel much smoother and look glossy and sparkly. Intense cleaning treatments remove plaque, bacteria and tartar and therefore reduce the risk of conditions such as decay and gum disease.

Fluoride varnish treatments are commonly given to children; fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel surfaces of the teeth and therefore protects against oral health problems. Fluoride can be found in many oral hygiene products and is added to the water supply in some areas of the country.

Oral hygiene is key for good oral health and hygienists help to promote good oral hygiene and encourage people to adopt a good oral hygiene routine. A good daily routine should include brushing the teeth for two minutes twice a day and using mouthwash and dental floss on a regular basis; electric toothbrushes are generally more effective than manual brushes.

Posted in: Dental Health, News
Tags: Dental Hygiene, dental hygienists, Fluoride varnish treatments, oral health
| May 15, 2011 at 10:34 am | No comment

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