Current lifestyle and social trends like smoking and Unhealthy eating habits can negatively impact your oral health. Dental care is important to maintain good oral health which is often neglected. This must begin at home through regular brushing and flossing. But often this may not be sufficient.
The dental services in Concord, NC consist of a panel of dental hygienists who are skilled in offering comprehensive teeth cleanings that aid in enhancing your oral health.
Who is a dental hygienist?
A dental hygienist, or an oral hygienist, is an oral healthcare professional offering several dental services to enhance your oral health and wellness. These health providers work closely with your general dentist to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
What are the duties of a dental hygienist?
Dental hygienists have a wide range of duties towards oral health enhancement. These include:
- Dental cleanings
- A dental hygienist performs teeth scaling using special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth surfaces.
- They will additionally polish your teeth and make them less vulnerable to plaque adhesion.
- Furthermore, they also offer root planing procedure to smooth them, preventing plaque and tartar from reattaching
- Dental X-Rays
- Hygienists are also trained to take dental X-rays to help your dentist view your teeth, bones, sinus, etc., that aid in disease diagnosis.
- Oral health screenings
- Dental hygienists perform routine oral health screenings to check for cavities, gum disease, and signs of oral cancer and report the findings to your dentist.
- Dental history review
- The oral hygienist acts as a first line of communication when you come for your dental appointment. They record your dental and overall health history, which enables the dentist to understand your past dental experiences and goals for the future.
- Application of dental sealants
- Sealants are an effective preventive measure offered by hygienists to seal deep pits and grooves of your back teeth to prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.
- This can greatly reduce your risk of tooth decay.
- Fluoride treatment
- Topical fluorides applied by hygienists can greatly reduce the risk of cavities, especially in children.
- Oral hygiene counseling
- Your hygienists can guide you to follow proper oral hygiene habits for the welfare of your oral health.
- They counsel you about the correct brushing and flossing techniques, and the importance of a good diet in enhancing your oral health.
Wrapping up
Dental hygienists play a key role in helping you maintain healthy teeth and gums. They perform their duties dedicatedly to improve your oral health by offering you several treatments that are needed beyond regular brushing and flossing at home.