Dental Hygiene

Hygienist in Shepperton

The role of your dental hygienist in Shepperton is to keep teeth and gums clean and free from plaque so that they remain healthy. In doing so you lower your chances of getting gum disease or tooth decay. Our dental hygienists take time to give advice on the best and most effective ways that you can keep your teeth clean at home.

Our dental hygienists see patients from Shepperton, Upper Halliford, Lower Halliford, Littleton, Chertsey Walton-on-Thames and throughout Surrey.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is the prime reason for tooth loss in the U.K. The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. You may notice bleeding or inflamed gums. This is caused by the build-up of plaque and bacteria on your teeth which spreads to the gums causing inflammation.

If gingivitis is not treated, it can turn into a more advanced stage of gum disease known as periodontitis. This can lead to pain and recession in the gums and eventual tooth loss.

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What are the benefits of seeing a dental hygienist in Shepperton?

Regularly seeing a dental hygienist in Surrey will reduce any issues that you might have including bleeding gums or bad breath.

Your hygienist will give your mouth a thorough and professional clean which removes debris that builds up below your teeth and on your gums. If left, this may cause gum disease.

Your dental hygienist will give you lots of hints and tips on how to protect your oral health and boost your oral hygiene. They will show you how to best brush and floss your teeth.

Why choose dental hygiene?

Prevention of gum disease and other illnesses

Research has shown that your oral health is closely related to your general health. With poor dental hygiene, you are more likely to develop gum disease along with other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers. Unhealthy gums allow bacteria to enter the blood stream and potentially can cause damage to blood vessels and the heart.

Periodontal disease

When gum disease becomes more established it is known as periodontitis. Your dentist or a specialist known as a periodontist can treat the disease and help to save your teeth.

Prevention is better than cure

It is far easier to prevent gum disease than cure it. You can prevent gum disease from occurring by regularly seeing your dentist and hygienist as well as thoroughly brushing twice a day at home and flossing once a day.

Dental hygienist in Surrey FAQs

Why can’t a dentist do this work?
Dentists oversee all aspects concerning your teeth and gums, whereas hygienists focus on keeping your teeth, gums and mouth clean to prevent disease. Most dentists now recognise that dental hygienists form an important role in your oral and general health. Hygienists are specially trained to carry out the thorough cleaning known as scaling and polishing.
What can I do at home to help the hygienist?
There’s a lot you can do at home to help in the time between your hygienist appointments. You should brush and floss your teeth as shown by your hygienist. Many people think they are doing this already, but either not brushing effectively or not spending as long as they should on brushing –at least 2 minutes. You should use a toothpaste that has a high fluoride content – between 1,300ppm and 1,500ppm. You can also try to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet by cutting out too many cakes, sweets, chocolate and especially fizzy drinks all of which contribute to tooth decay. Your dental hygienist can give advice and make recommendations on all these points and more.
Is it worth using a mouth wash for dental hygiene?
If you want to use a mouth wash, it can help to make your breath feel fresh and protect against cavities, however, a mouthwash shouldn’t be used instead of brushing and flossing; it should be used to complement your oral hygiene.