Why are regular visits to the Hygienist so important?
Maintaining and improving your oral health and your family is very important as there are direct links between your oral health and overall well-being. Gum disease is a cause of diabetes and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease/arthritis and other illnesses.
Regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning will give you a bright smile while reducing health risks.
Visits to the dental hygienist can help identify early-stage issues that may become serious if left untreated. Brushing and fossing alone will not completely remove a build up of plaque. It is recommended that you visit your dentists twice yearly for teeth cleaning and an exam.
Bleeding gums are a major sign of periodontal disease which can lead to tooth loss. You may need a deep clean below the gum-line to improve gum health. The hygienist will identify these issues and inform you and your dentist so a treatment plan can be arranged.
What to expect during a visit to our Hygienist
We aim to make your hygiene visit as comfortable as possible in an air-conditioned treatment room. We provide you with noise-reducing headphones and your choice of music to help you relax and take your mind off things.
We provide pain-free dental cleaning. There are no needles involved. Using Wand technology, a computer-controlled anaesthetic delivery, we will numb your teeth and gums. We also apply special numbing gel and desensitising pastes to your gums. This will make your dental cleaning visit as comfortable as possible.
On your first visit, the dentist/hygienist will sit down with you to discuss the needs and concerns you may have about your dental health and treatment. This can include discussing cosmetic treatment to enhance your smile or how to look after and treat dental health issues you may have. During the visit, we will assess your medical history, risk factors you may have, and any relevant history of general health or oral health risk factors.
The hygienist will take photographs and even carry out a 3-D visual scan of your teeth if required, using a digital Scanner. They will also let you know if any x-rays or other tests might be useful to help us understand your oral health.
The Teeth Cleaning Process
To begin, we thoroughly assess your gums and support for your teeth. This includes checking the condition of your old restorations and fillings and for signs of tooth decay.
During the visit, we advise you on how to care for your teeth and prevent tooth decay and gum problems, keeping your teeth healthy for life.
The hygienist will assess your oral health risk factors and any relevant medical history. You will also be given smoking cessation advice if you need it. The hygienist collaborates closely with Dr Eoin O’Neill to plan your treatment and will collaborate with outside specialists if necessary.
Any necessary radiograph X-rays will be taken during the appointment. You will be advised on using fluoride and applying fluoride treatments to whiten your teeth and strengthen them to protect them against tooth decay and reverse early signs of tooth decay.
You will also receive diet advice to prevent oral disease, maintain health care, and avoid root decay. As the roots of your teeth become exposed from age or advanced gum disease, they are at a much higher risk of tooth decay as they are softer and more susceptible to acid. These acids are found in everyday food and drinks.This is made worse by a decrease in the amount of saliva we have as we get older.
The hygienist will perform Ultrasonic cleaning of the teeth and gums. This removes plaque, stains and tartar from your teeth. It also removes infected tissue and disinfects the gums and teeth.
We provide Airflow stain removal, a pain-free gentle jet cleaning of your teeth. This treatment thoroughly cleans teeth and areas we cannot reach with instruments. It will leave the surface of your teeth smooth and more stain resistant in the future.
Airflow stain removal is available as a standalone treatment or with your regular dental hygiene appointment.
After cleaning, we will explain our findings and recommendations for caring for your teeth and gums. We will give you an indication of your immediate and long-term prognosis. i.e. the chances of avoiding tooth loss and other adverse outcomes.
Before and after dental cleaning using Airflow Jet
“We aim to give you all the tools and information you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy between your regular visits…………………..we are also happy to answer any questions you have about all the services available to you at O’Neill Dental Care and ensure your overall journey through the practice is running as smoothly as possible”. Dr. Eoin Oneill.
