Q: What are the benefits of regular hygiene appointments?

The main purpose of seeing a hygienist is to prevent and treat gum disease. Other benefits include stain removal, managing bad breath, managing sensitivity, educating on effective at home plaque control including diet advice, and maintaining dental work like implants, braces, bridges and crowns.

Q: What is gum disease?

There are 2 main types of gum disease:

Gingivitis - Involves bleeding and inflammation of the gums. This stage is easy to treat and can be reversed by effective plaque control and regular hygiene visits.

Periodontitis - Involves loss of bone from around the teeth which may lead to tooth loss in the future. This is more concerning and you should get this treated as soon as possible. Periodontitis can not be cured or reversed. The aim of treatment is to stabilise it or to slow it down.

Q: How can I prevent gum disease and tooth decay?

Good oral hygiene is crucial if you want to prevent disease in the mouth. Brush twice a day, floss daily, eat a well balanced diet, and use a fluoride toothpaste (remember to spit out after brushing and never rinse!). Last but not least, see the dentist and hygienist on a regular basis.
Tip* You can brush and floss 100x a day but, if you're not using the correct technique then you may still get problems. The hygienist will cover this in the appointment.

Q: Can I bring my child to the hygienist?

Definitely! It is highly recommended that children see a hygienist on a regular basis. This will get them into good habits at a young age and take some of the strain off mum and dad.

Q: Do hygienists make your gums bleed?

No! This is a common myth. Gums will only bleed if effective at home plaque removal isn't being achieved. This causes your immune system to increase blood flow to the gums to try and kill off the bacteria resulting in inflammation, swelling and tenderness. This is why the gums may bleed as they are already inflamed.
Remember, healthy gums do not bleed!

Q: Will it hurt?

Hygiene appointments are usually pain free. However, if you do feel any discomfort at the time, please inform the hygienist as there are plenty of ways to make you feel more comfortable.