What is a Dental Hygienist?
The role of the Dental Hygienist within the dental practice is primarily one of prevention and education.
The Dental Hygienist is someone who is trained to identify and treat dental disease, under the supervision of a Dentist, and educate patients to prevent dental disease.
The Dental Hygienist evaluates and assesses oral health and hygiene, then provides individual and tailored advice to the patient.
What can the Dental Hygienist help you to prevent?
The two most common dental diseases are Periodontal (Gum) Disease and Tooth Decay. Both diseases, to a degree, are preventable.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is the single most common cause of tooth loss in the Western World. It will effect up to 90 per cent of the population at any one time and is, in most cases, preventable. This disease will destroy the supporting structures of the teeth which will eventually end in tooth loss.
What causes this Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria found in dental plaque. If left to maturate, the plaque bacteria will start to release toxins which irritate the periodontal tissues (gums). This irritation manifests as inflammation of the gums. This is the start of the gum disease process.
The Stages of Periodontal Disease.
Periodontal Disease starts with a mild inflammation of the gums, triggered by the plaque bacteria which have matured for 48 hours. This early form of gum disease is known as Gingivitis and is, at this stage, totally reversible and no long term damage is sustained.
Gingivitis literally translates as inflammation of the gingival tissues (gums). In addition to the bacteria releasing toxins, the plaque deposits calcify, both above and below the gum line, further irritating the tissues and attracting a layer of plaque to its surface. If left untreated and allowed to progress, Gingivitis can lead to Periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a more advanced disease and the deeper supporting structures are now affected. The bone and ligament which hold the teeth in place are destroyed and, without these structures, may then lead to eventual tooth loss. Deep pockets develop between the tooth and the gum, making good oral hygiene very difficult to maintain.
How can I prevent Periodontal Disease?
Good oral hygiene on a daily basis is the most important factor in preventing this disease. The regular and effective removal of plaque means that the bacteria are not allowed to mature enough to release the toxins which cause gum disease.
The Dental Hygienist can teach you the skills required to maintain good oral health. In addition to this, regular maintenance appointments with the Hygienist to clean and polish the teeth are important to remove the calcified deposits, which you are unable to remove and clean the hard to reach areas. The early diagnosis of periodontal disease is extremely important in preventing damage to the supporting structures of the teeth.
How do I know if I have Periodontal Disease?
The signs to look for are: 1. Redness or tenderness of the gums; 2. Bleeding gums with brushing or flossing; 3. Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth; and/or 4. Loose teeth or teeth that appear to have moved.
If you are noticing any of these signs or have any concerns regarding your gums it is important to contact your Dentist, as early diagnosis of this disease may determine the success of treatment.
What is Dental Decay? Dental decay/caries is the other most common dental disease of the modern world, particularly with the increase in consumption of refined carbohydrates (sugar). Firstly, the disease process breaks down the hard outer layer of the tooth surface, called enamel. This layer is then undermined and a cavity forms. The tooth becomes weak and breaks and the nerve can become damaged.
What causes Dental Decay? When certain bacteria that live in the mouth get exposed to sugars, they produce an acid. It is this acid that starts the breakdown of the enamel surface and the tooth structure.
How can we prevent Dental Decay?
1. A good balanced sensible diet with a reduced sugar intake, especially between meals;
2. Good oral hygiene routine at home;
3. Good saliva flow; Saliva flow can be increased by chewing sugar free gum.
4. Regular exposure to Fluoride, both in toothpaste/mouthwash, water supply or professional application; and
5. Regular six monthly checks with your Dentist, so that problems may detected early whilst they are small.
So as we can see, in short, the Dental Hygienist is a very valuable and important person in maintaining your oral health and wellbeing.
By: Karen L Smith
About the Author:
Karen Smith is the author of the article and she is Dr Adam Alfords Dental Hygienist in a General Dental, Cosmetic and Implant Dental Surgery in Sydney http://www.mlccentredental.com.au/dental-hygienist.php Webmasters are free to reprint this article provided that it is not edited, the authors information is included, and the links are included as live links.Dr Adam Alford graduated form the University of Sydney, Australia, in 2000 with honors. Dr Alford has worked extensively in Cosmetic and Implant practices in Australia and the UK. He has a special interest in cosmetics and tooth whitening.
