Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is key to preventing dental problems and gum disease. Our dental hygienists support your home care routine by showing you the best way to brush your teeth, advise on diet, and create a programme of care tailored to your lifestyle to help keep your mouth healthy.
At Improve Your Smile our gentle, caring, extremely experienced hygienists use the state-of-the-art EMS Air Flow® system to disclose biofilm and give your teeth a more comfortable, superior clean.
Regular dental and hygienist visits are essential for early detection and treatment of not only gum disease, but also oral cancer.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a common oral health condition that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It’s caused by the accumulation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria (biofilm) that forms on the teeth and along the gumline.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing and flossing properly can alter the balance of bacteria from harmless to harmful.
Smoking: Using tobacco, whether smoking or chewing it, is a big risk factor. Smoking makes it harder for your body to fight infections and slows down healing, making you more prone to gum disease.
Other Factors: Conditions like diabetes, hormonal changes, genetics, and certain medications can also increase your risk.
If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to not just serious dental problems and tooth loss but it is also linked to many bodily inflammatory conditions as the mouth is the entry point into the body. Taking care of your oral health is key for systemic health too.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis: This is the early stage of gum disease. You might notice red, swollen, and bleeding gums, especially when you brush or floss. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible with proper oral hygiene and professional dental care.
Periodontitis: If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can turn into periodontitis, which is a more advanced stage of gum disease with bone loss. Periodontitis involves the destruction of the gum tissues and bone that support the teeth. Common symptoms of periodontitis include persistent bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth, and changes in the alignment of teeth. Periodontitis needs prompt treatment from a dental professional to prevent further damage and tooth loss.
Why Should I See a Dental Hygienist?
Our hygienists work under the prescription of our dentists. So it’s crucial that you’ve had a dental examination within a year of your hygiene appointment. This allows the hygienist to review recent x-rays to check for any bone loss and determine if there are any signs of gum disease.
Hygienists play a key role in preventing and treating gum disease by removing plaque and tartar, and offering advice on how to look after your oral health at home. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily can help keep gum disease at bay. Regular dental and hygienist visits are essential for early detection and treatment of not only gum disease, but also oral cancer.
Dental Hygiene
Your appointment with the hygienist will include:
Oral cancer screening.
Checking the condition of your teeth and gums.
Assessing the seal between tooth and gum for signs of disease.
Identifying any bleeding, swelling and tenderness.
Painlessly removing plaque and tartar with our EMS Scaler to immediately reduce oral bacteria.
A tailored approach to introducing effective home care habits.
Diet planning advice.
Hygienist Appointments for Children
It's never too early to start taking care of your child's oral health. Our hygienists use imaginative and colourful resources to make learning how to brush and care for teeth fun. Your child will be shown tips and techniques that will stick with them for life, and we’ll also teach them the importance of a sensible diet. It’s the perfect way to invest in your children’s smile and future wellbeing.
How Does It Work?
The scaler uses high-frequency vibrations to create tiny bubbles in the water during your dental cleaning. The vibrations dislodge and break apart stubborn plaque and calculus deposits. The gentle oscillations reduce any sensitivity, making the cleaning process more comfortable for you.
Once they’ve identified all the areas of bacteria in your mouth, your hygienist will switch to the Airflow®. This method not only provides better results but also a more pleasant experience compared to traditional cleaning and scaling methods. In fact, patients rarely feel any discomfort at all.
The Airflow® uses warm water combined with a gentle Erythritol powder. This powder is anti-bacterial, anti-cariogenic, and anti-oxidant, helping to eradicate free radicals and keep your mouth in tip-top shape.
After treatment, make sure you wait 30 minutes before eating, and avoid eating or drinking anything that may stain your teeth for three hours.
How Does It Benefit You?
The Airflow® system offers a more comfortable and efficient dental cleaning experience by using warm water instead of traditional metal tools, making it gentler on dental tissue. It thoroughly removes plaque/bacteria and tartar, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. It also speeds up the cleaning process and can be tailored to meet your specific oral health needs.
EMS Airflow® System
We pride ourselves on using the latest and most effective methods and equipment throughout the practice.
The EMS scaler is a state-of-the-art dental instrument that’s designed to give you the most comfortable dental cleaning experience. It uses advanced ultrasonic technology to gently and effectively banish plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. The result? A healthier mouth and a brighter smile.
The EMS Biofilm Disclosure makes the biofilm and any problematic areas visible to your hygienist right away. They’ll then give your teeth, and any pockets in your gums harbouring bacteria, a thorough clean.
After treatment, maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular Oral Health Assessments is crucial. Your dentist or hygienist will recommend a customised maintenance plan to prevent the recurrence of gum disease and keep your gums and teeth healthy. This approach ensures an in-depth, personalised experience for optimal oral health.
Maintenance and Follow-Up
First things first, your dentist will complete a comprehensive assessment of your oral health, including a thorough examination, periodontal probing, and dental x-rays. Your hygienist will then determine the severity of the gum disease and create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Periodontal therapy is a series of procedures designed to reduce inflammation by creating an oral environment less favourable to harmful bacteria.