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ROUTINE CLEANING
DENTAL HYGIENE
CANCER SCREENINGS
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What Does A Dental Hygienist Do?

Contrary to popular belief, not every person who examines your teeth is a dentist. Just as there are doctors and nurses in hospitals, there are dentists and dental hygienists in dental practices. And you guessed it: dental hygienists play an important role in your oral health. Understanding what the dental hygienist does can help you feel more comfortable during your next appointment.

 

In many cases, the dental hygienist is the first and last person you will interact with inside the treatment room. From exams, routine dental cleaning, to patient education, it is common for dental hygienists to perform many of the preventative dental care procedures.

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The Benefits of Dental Hygiene

 

Dental hygienists are skilled to perform preventative dental care and help maintain good oral health.

 

Brighten Your Smile

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Cavity Protection

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Early Detection

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Prevent Gum Disease

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What are the different roles of a dentist, dental hygienist, and dental assistant?

If you are unfamiliar with the world of dental professionals, it is easy to mix up the roles, or even assume they are one and the same. While they all help you achieve a healthier, happier smile, they take on separate tasks and perform different responsibilities. For one, a dentist evaluates, diagnoses, and treats patients who have an existing oral problem. Dental hygienists educate patients about the importance of good oral hygiene and provide preventative care. And don’t forget the friendly faces greeting you. Dental assistants carry out the essential roles of administrative tasks, provide support services for the hygienist or dentist, and assist patients in the office.

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What procedures can a dental hygienist perform?

For dental hygienists, polishing your teeth is just the beginning. The main focus is to look for signs of decay, gum disease, and infection. Here are five common procedures dental hygienists perform.

Plaque Removal

Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that can harden into tartar when left untreated. Dental hygienists are trained to remove plaque build up – protecting your teeth from decay and prevent the development of tartar.

Scaling

Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. For treating gingivitis or periodontitis, dental hygienists perform scaling to relieve and reverse gum disease.

Polishing

Polishing, often performed following a scaling, involves the final finishing touches. Dental hygienists perform this simple procedure using a tooth polisher to the surfaces of the tooth for a plaque-free, shiny smile.

Dental X-Rays

Dental x-rays provide detailed images of your entire mouth. Checking for oral health issues, dental hygienists are trained to capture and develop x-ray images.

Applying Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect against cavities. Dental hygienists apply topical fluoride as part of the routine dental appointments.

 
 

Scaling & Root Planing vs. Regular Dental Cleaning

It is a dental fact: professional cleanings help you maintain a healthy, happy smile. While routine cleaning is performed preventively, scaling and root planing may be necessary to treat more serious issues like periodontal disease. Unlike routine dental cleaning, scaling and root planing targets both the surface of the teeth and pockets between the teeth and gums. For this reason, scaling and root planing procedures are more extensive, lengthy, and costly, depending on your individual circumstance.

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Skills of a Dental Hygienist

So, what skills define a qualified dental hygienist? There is a long list – and for good reason. From hard skills to soft skills, there are a variety of competencies that are reflected in a Smile Generation-trusted hygienist. The most important soft skills: dexterous, patient, meticulous, didactic, and sharp-sighted. Additionally, the primary responsibilities include: provide oral health advice, prevent dental decay, offer dietary advice to maximize oral health, and stay refreshed on new practices.

 

Providing preventative care, dental hygienists are essential to the dental office. And the skills of a Smile Generation-trusted hygienist are proven daily in the dental practices.

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Got questions?

 

If you have questions about dental hygiene, we saved you the trouble and provided answers to commonly asked questions. Find your answers just a click away.

 
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Maintaining good oral hygiene is important to keep your teeth healthy and prevent a wide range of oral health issues, including:

  • Chronic bad breath
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Dry mouth
  • Toothaches
  • Bleeding gums
  • Receding gums
  • Mouth sores and ulcers
  • Pain when biting or chewing
  • Cracked or broken teeth

 

But oral hygiene can affect much more than just your mouth. Bad oral health can have a surprising impact on your whole-body health as well.

 

Learn more in our blog article, "Dental Hygiene: Tips & Health Issues."

To improve your oral hygiene, create and practice a good oral health routine every day. This includes:

  • Brushing regularly for two minutes at a time, twice a day
  • Replacing your toothbrush every three or four months
  • Getting fluoride treatments to protect your teeth
  • Avoiding sugary and acidic foods
  • Getting fluoride treatments to protect your teeth Avoiding sugary and acidic foods

Learn more in our blog article, Dental Hygiene: Tips & Health Issues.

Flossing is an essential part of your at-home oral hygiene routine. It helps you clean tooth surfaces you cannot reach with your toothbrush. Removing plaque and food particles between your teeth and along your gum line may help prevent gingivitis, also known as gum disease. Proper flossing may also help you reduce your risk of cavities.

 

Learn more in our blog article, Dental Hygiene: Tips & Health Issues

Yes, your oral health is linked with your whole-body health. We call this the Mouth-Body Connection. Studies show that poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of problems throughout your body, including:

  • Heart disease
  • Cognitive decline and dementia
  • Diabetes
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Stroke
  • Cancer

Learn more in our blog article, Dental Hygiene: Tips & Health Issues

 

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