Dental Hygiene

Our dental hygienists are specially trained in preventing and treating gum disease, leaving you with a healthy smile.

Why do I need a dental hygienist appointment?

Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. At our Dental Practice, we take this issue very seriously. We do a B.P.E. test as part of your check-up (basic Periodontal Examination). If your B.P.E. suggests that you may have gum disease or periodontal disease, we will recommend you to our hygienist.

Hygienists are professionally educated dental professionals that provide preventive and treatment treatments for acute and chronic gum disease.

What is gum disease?

The term “gum disease” refers to a set of clinical conditions that affect the gums and tissues that support the teeth. The most common gum disorders are gingivitis and periodontitis. FP Dental offers an experienced staff that can walk you through your treatment using a variety of procedures and sophisticated treatments.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease, and fortunately, it is reversible in its early stages. If you have gingivitis, you may notice that you have a small amount of bleeding when you brush or that the gum margins look slightly red and puffy. Seeing a hygienist for a good clean along with small changes to your cleaning routine will help this.

Periodontitis

If gingivitis is not treated, it will lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is more severe than gingivitis as it is not reversible and involves damage to the bone structure and ligaments that hold the teeth in place. Without treatment, the result is eventual tooth loss. Although periodontitis is irreversible, the progression of gum disease can be managed to prevent further bone loss.

How can I avoid gum disease?

To keep gum disease at bay, appropriate dental hygiene practices, such as cleaning between the teeth and attending regular check-ups, are necessary.

As part of your check-up, your dental team will ask you questions about your lifestyle, and the dentist will inspect your gums for signs of gum disease. Gum disease can be treated in its early stages by a dentist or dental hygienist. Gum disease can also be caused by the following factors:

• Smoking
• Drinking high-sugar, carbonated beverages
• Diabetes Patients undergoing cancer treatment
• Teeth crowding
• Medication side effects Immune system deficiency

What happens at my dental hygiene appointment?

Your dentist/hygienist will clean your teeth if treatment is necessary. They will polish any stubborn stains and remove any calculus (hard build-up that cannot be eliminated by brushing alone). Following a thorough discussion of how to keep your gums healthy, your dentist or hygienist will review this with you on a regular basis until you have returned clinical gum health and a healthy smile.

How to brush