Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist will perform a visual inspection of your teeth to identify any major problems. They’ll then perform a scale and polish (dental cleaning). This will get rid of any plaque and tartar buildup that might have accumulated. They can also remove any noticeable stains, leaving your teeth looking and feeling cleaner than before.  

As with a normal dentist, it’s a good idea to check in with a hygienist once every six months. However, if you’re prone to things like gum disease or lifestyle factors that are leading to more staining, plaque and tartar buildup than usual, it’s a good idea to visit a hygienist more regularly for teeth cleaning. 

Maintaining healthy teeth and good dental hygiene is incredibly important. Visually, it keeps your smile looking its best, while also preventing things like halitosis (bad breath). It prevents gum disease from gaining a foothold and keeps things like tooth decay at bay. If you want to avoid having to deal with fillings and restorative work, practising good oral hygiene is a must. Visiting the hygienist for a dental cleaning (teeth cleaning) can help.

Some of the signs of poor oral hygiene include bad breath, painful or bleeding gums, tooth decay and/or erosion, and visible plaque. There are other signs that are less evident, such as diabetes and osteoporosis that may be attributed to poor oral hygiene as well.

You should brush your teeth at least twice every day. However, it’s a good idea to brush your teeth after finishing every meal. When brushing your teeth, make sure you’re doing it for at least two minutes to remove as much food debris as possible. You should also floss regularly. Aim to floss at least once every day, ideally before or after brushing your teeth. Sticking to this routine will allow for fewer visits for an oral checkup or a dental clean.

Bad dental hygiene can lead to all manner of issues with your gums and teeth. Bad breath is one of the most common symptoms, although bleeding and painful gums can also become an issue. Eventually, you may notice visible signs of plaque. This can in turn lead to tooth decay and dental abscesses (an infection in the tooth).

The cost of treatment from a hygienist can vary. For a routine exam, scale and polish, adults can expect to pay €80. For children, the cost of the same treatment costs €35. If you need a deep-scale treatment, you can expect to pay around €95.

To ensure your teeth are properly cleaned, you should hold the bristles at a 45-degree angle. Start at the gum line and gently move the brush head over the teeth and gums. You can also move the bristles around the area in a circular motion. Avoid pressing too hard, especially if you have sensitive gums that are prone to bleeding. 

To ensure teeth and gums are thoroughly cleaned, think about the teeth in terms of quadrants: right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower. Spend the same amount of time brushing each of these quadrants.

Bandon Dental has operated since the 1980s and offers high-quality services such as paediatric dentist, teeth whitening, orthodontics, dental crowns, emergency dentist, dental bridges, dentures, Invisalign and more. These are all completed by our fantastic team of dental hygienists and dentists in Bandon.