Dental Hygienist

The Dental Hygienist is a specially trained member of our dental team who works alongside the dentist to provide fully integrated dental care. They play an important role in your dental health, helping to prevent disease by providing professional oral hygiene care and tailored instruction for patients.

A Dental Hygienist cleans teeth by removing plaque, calculus (tartar) and staining. Both adults and children can benefit from regular cleans and polishing, while also learning how dental disease occurs and how it can be prevented. To help prevent decay, the Dental Hygienist may also apply fluoride treatments and preventative sealants (fissure sealants) to the permanent back teeth where appropriate.

Why doesn’t the Dentist do this work?
Dental Hygienists are specifically trained in the cleaning and maintenance of the mouth, teeth and gums. A Dentist will refer patients to a Hygienist for more specialised preventative care, while focusing on complex restorative treatments. With personalised home care advice and regular maintenance, a Dental Hygienist can help you maintain your teeth over time.

Why should you see a Hygienist?
Regular visits to a Hygienist can support improved oral health. Patients who attend routine hygiene appointments, typically every six months, tend to have healthier mouths and may require less restorative treatment such as fillings and crowns.

Gum disease is a common cause of tooth loss. It is caused by bacteria building up around the gums. If you have experienced bleeding gums, it may be an early sign of gum disease. Seeing a Hygienist can help you manage and prevent this, supporting long term oral health.

Research shows a strong link between oral health and overall health, including conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, early onset Alzheimer’s, and complications during pregnancy.

Achieving and maintaining optimal oral health is an important part of your overall wellbeing. Bleeding gums are not normal and are often the first sign of gum disease. Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, can be reversed in its early stages with proper care.

A visit to our Dental Hygienist will help identify any risk factors, assess your oral health, and remove plaque, tartar and staining. You will also receive guidance on maintaining good oral hygiene at home, supporting long term oral health and tooth retention.