Hygienist Services

Preventing dental disease is a fundamental part of our work here at St Peter’s Dental Practice. Our aim is to help you achieve and maintain optimal dental health through regular hygienist visits.

Understanding Gum Disease

There are three main types of gum disease

1.       Gingivitis
The main cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. When brushing and flossing techniques are not carried out effectively, this allows plaque to build up along the gum line. Plaque contains harmful bacteria resulting in the infection and inflammation of your gingivae or "gums". This condition is known as gingivitis and nearly all adults suffer from this to some degree. Bleeding on brushing or flossing your teeth is one of the earliest signs of gingivitis.

Plaque left for any length of time will start to harden and form calculus or "tartar" on your teeth. This cannot be removed by tooth brushing alone, requiring specialist scaling by your hygienist or dentist.

At this early stage gum disease is reversible. Regular visits to the hygienist will help you return to and maintain gingival health.

2.       Periodontal Disease
Left untreated, gum disease may progress to a more severe condition known as periodontitis.This is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. Here the bacterial infection progresses to the deeper supporting tissues of the teeth known as the periodontal tissues which includes the bone. As the disease progresses, the bone supporting the teeth is lost. The teeth become loosened, abscesses can form and teeth may eventually be lost.

3.       Smoking and Oral Health
Patients who smoke are far more likely to suffer with more severe gum problems. Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. This has an adverse effect on the healing process, so infections in the gums are slow to heal. Our Hygienist will be happy to discuss the various methods now available to help patients give up smoking.

What can a Dental Hygienist do to help you?

Our hygienists work closely with the dentists.

They will:

• Thoroughly clean your teeth removing plaque, tartar and stains, creating an environment for your gums to return to optimal health.
• Teach oral hygiene techniques, individually tailored to your particular needs, helping you maintain this environment and prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
• Educate children as to the importance of good brushing and diet, giving them the very best chance of staying decay free.
  Give dietary advice to prevent tooth decay.

The results:

• Clean teeth and fresher breath
• You maintain your optimal dental health status. With care and cooperation on your part this is very achievable.

The Dentist or Hygienist will monitor you to see if there are any signs of progressive gum disease.

The Dentist will:

• Give you a thorough examination, taking all necessary x-rays and measurements.
• Draw up a treatment plan with full costings, specifically for your requirements with the aim of improving your condition and maintaining your teeth in as healthy a state as possible for as long as possible.
• Where necessary, carry out further cleaning of the roots of the teeth to ensure the last pockets of bacteria are removed. This is all done in the surgery using a normal local anaesthetic to ensure you are as comfortable as possible
• If necessary, remove any diseased tissue and place specialist treatments and medications into the pockets surrounding the teeth to aid bone regeneration and the healing. Again all this can be done in the surgery using a normal local anaesthetic.
• Monitor and review your progress and draw up a maintenance programme with the hygienist
• Refer you to a specialist periodontist if your condition requires it.