Category: Hygiene
Why do I need to visit the Hygienist?
Regular visits to the dental hygienist London are important for maintaining good oral health, which in turn promotes good overall health. It will also help fend off other dental issues which can require additional treatment and cost. At Aura Dental in St John’s Wood, we recommend seeing the hygienist at least once every 6 months. This will ensure that any dental issues are detected early and can be taken care off before it gets worse.
The hygienist London will use a combination of ultrasonic and manual scalers to get between your teeth, into your gums and into those hard to reach places to remove plaque and food build up. This reduces the chances of gum (periodontal) disease, cavities and abscesses…all problems that mean you will need further treatment.
There are several reasons why it is beneficial to see a dental hygienist:
1. Professional Teeth Cleaning: Aura Dental’s hygienists specialise in cleaning and polishing your teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which cannot be adequately addressed by regular brushing and flossing alone. This cleaning process, known as scaling, helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
2. Gum Disease Prevention: Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common oral health issue that can lead to serious consequences if it is left untreated. Our dental hygienists can identify early signs of gum disease and provide necessary treatments or recommend further evaluation by a dentist.
3. Oral Health Assessment: The hygienists perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth, gums, and teeth during your visit. They can detect oral health issues such as cavities, oral cancer, gum inflammation, and other dental problems. Early detection allows for prompt treatment and better outcomes.
4. Oral Hygiene Education: Your hygienist London can provide personalised oral hygiene instructions and tips tailored to your specific needs. They can teach you proper brushing and flossing techniques, recommend suitable oral care products, and offer advice on maintaining good oral health at home.
5. Prevention and Early Intervention: Regular dental hygiene visits contribute to preventive dental care. Dental hygienists can apply dental sealants to protect your teeth from decay, administer fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel, and provide insights into healthy dietary choices that help to promote oral health.
6. Support for Overall Health: Poor oral health has been linked to various systemic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and complications during pregnancy. By maintaining a good oral hygiene routine and visiting a dental hygienist regularly, you can reduce the risk of these associated health issues.
Remember, while dental hygienists play a crucial role in oral health care, it is essential that you also see a dentist for comprehensive evaluations, diagnosis, and any necessary treatments. Regular visits to both the dental hygienist and the dentist can help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health.
So whether you come to see us at Aura Dental in St John’s Wood, or at another practice, don’t forget to book yourself in for regular hygiene visits.
We Asked You What You Wanted To Know About Oral Health
Ask Justina…
Over the past month we randomly surveyed our patients to find out what they really wanted to know about oral hygiene. Here are the top 5 queries you raised…
- What can I do if I have sore or bleeding gums while at home?
If you have sore, swollen gums or if they bleed when you brush your teeth it might be the early sign of gum disease. It is vital to make an appointment to see your dental hygienist or a dentist for a thorough gum health examination. Your clinician can then advise you on the best course of action to reduce and/or reverse the effects of gum disease. It is important to maintain as good oral hygiene as possible until you see you your hygienist or dentist.
- I brush my teeth twice a day and I still wake up in the morning with bad breath. What can I do to help this?
Poor oral hygiene, gum disease, tooth decay, or mouth infections can be causes of bad breath. Diet as well as tobacco and alcohol use may also be factors in causing bad breath. First of all it is important to visit your dental hygienist or a dentist if you develop a bad breath. Your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to find out the main cause of bad breath and help to eliminate it.
- My kids hate brushing their teeth. What can I do to encourage my kids to take better care of their teeth?
Let them copy you. You can buy them the same colour toothbrush as you have, which maybe more entertaining for them. You can also let your kids try brushing your teeth and then you can brush theirs to make sure they are actually clean. If you make it look like fun, the kids will want to do it 🙂
It is also good to get your kids used to visiting the dentist and hygienist from early on. This will get your child used to the noises, smells and surroundings and prepare them for future visits. It will also give them the chance to focus on learning about their teeth in an appropriate environment.
- There are so many electric brushes available now. Which one is the best?
In my opinion there is no best brush. It all depends on patients’ needs and individual choices.
Brushing with an electric toothbrush can help you keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. It is important to make sure you choose the right one. Prices can vary from as little as £10 to over £200. They can be rotating, pulsating or sonic brushes. So how do you choose the right one? It depends on:
- Expert recommendation to suit your teeth from your hygienist or dentist.
- Size – make sure the brush head gives you easy access to all surfaces of your teeth.
- Effectiveness – rotation/oscillation is traditionally the most effective for brushing but new vibrating or sonic movement brushes have been proven to be very effective as well.
- Likability – if you enjoy using your toothbrush, you are more likely to use it all the time.
- Battery life – if you travel a lot battery life could be very important.
These days, you can get electric brushes with wifi or blue tooth connectivity. These are meant to increase your engagement in your tooth brushing, prompting you on things like brushing time and pressure. These are all well and good, but it does not replace the self motivation needed to ensure you are brushing you teeth properly.
- I do a lot of exercise and sports and consume high sugar foods and drinks to replenish my energy. How can I best protect my teeth?
Drinking sugary drinks and consuming high sugar foods can contribute to tooth decay. However, those who consume more sugar than average can still maintain healthy teeth. Here are a few tips that can help prevent cavities for sugar lovers:
- Drinking plenty of water and ensure your mouth is not dry. Saliva or water neutralises the acid on your teeth (particularly after eating/drinking sugars).
- Brushing your teeth more often especially after consuming sugary drinks or snacks or at least make sure to rinse your mouth out with water.
- Use fluoride mouth rinse to remove as much sugar as possible.
- Chewing sugar-free gum can help you increase the production of saliva and removing any sugar coating on your teeth.
- If possible choose less sugary snacks like fresh fruits.
The key to protect your teeth from cavities after eating sugary foods is simply to prevent the mouth from remaining coated in the acid-forming sugars found in sweets and energy drinks after eating/drinking.
For more information about hygiene treatment at Aura Dental, check out our website at auradentallondon.com or get in contact to book your hygiene appointment with Justina
Your team of dentists in St John’s Wood and their colleagues
A good dental practice is made up of a team of many members. From dentists to nurses through to the hygienist and administration staff, everyone has a role to play in helping you get the treatment you want.
We pride ourselves on giving our patients all the help and support they need, whether they are having a simple teeth whitening treatment or a long-term adjustment like teeth straightening. We know that, for some people, going to the dentist can be a chore but we want to create an environment that gives you the opportunity to feel differently about it. This is better for your health as the majority of dental issues are easier to solve if they are picked up early, so it is better if you have no reason to delay.
Meet the dentists
Our dentists are skilled professionals who are enthusiastic about the care, health and improvement of your teeth. They can help you to pick up issues before they become a problem. If you already have an issue, they can guide you to the best treatment to suit your needs.
Our team are skilled in advising people about cosmetic dentistry. They know that creating a great look is about having an impact but one that blends naturally with the whole look and can guide you accordingly.
Meet the hygienist
Working alongside our team of dentists in St John’s Wood is our hygienist. This is a professional who is specially trained in preventive dentistry. This means they can clean, polish and perform other procedures that help to keep your mouth healthy. They provide advice on how to look after your teeth including refinements to your oral hygiene routine, food to watch out for that can harm them and help to quit smoking.
Meet the administration staff
A trip to the dentists in St John’s Wood isn’t just about the people who directly care for your teeth. Your reception when you come in is just as much a part of the experience. If you feel welcome and relaxed straight away then you are more likely to continue in that vein. Our friendly, efficient team also keep on top of all our paperwork ensuring regular contact with you about your appointments.