When was the last time you paid a visit to a dental hygienist? Apart from maintaining good oral hygiene, one must seriously consider, another important aspect of oral health care, which is visiting a dental hygienist every six months. While this is normally recommended, many people may have to make more than two visits a year. We’ve compiled a list of factors that influence the frequency of your visits to the hygienist:

Factors Influencing The Frequency Of Dental Visits

1. Visiting the dental hygienist every six months should suffice if you have excellent dental health or if you have unrestored, uncrowded teeth, and no history of gum disease.
2. You should ideally visit a dental hygienist every two to three months if you suffer from gum disease during pregnancy, gum disease caused due to genetic predisposition, or due to an ongoing orthodontic treatment (braces, dentures, bridges).
3. In the case of children, visiting a dental hygienist for every 6 to 9 months is recommended as they are more susceptible to tooth decay.
4. It is recommended to visit a dental hygienist every 4 to 6 months if you have fillings or crowns or have a history of the dental disease.

What Does A Dental Hygienist Do?

Dental hygienists thoroughly examine your gum tissue for swelling, bleeding and pocketing. Dental hygienists perform a deep cleaning procedure to eradicate any scope of plaque and tartar buildup. Lastly, they do a careful evaluation of your brushing and flossing technique by identifying any potentially infected areas of your mouth.

Reasons To Visit A Dental Hygienist

• To Prevent Gum Disease: Poor oral hygiene can cause bacteria to accumulate in your mouth. This can further lead to plaque, which hardens and penetrates into the gum line. As a result, your gums get infected, swell and you may experience bleeding while brushing and eating. If not taken care of, it can result in gingivitis, which is the initial stage of periodontitis. A dental hygienist looks for potential signs of gum problems and ensures they are treated in time.
• To Help Prevent Cavities: Many people fail to follow the routine of brushing and flossing twice daily due to their busy lifestyles. As a result of irregular brushing and flossing, the food particles get caught up between your teeth and that can lead to plaque buildup. If left untreated, this whitish film called plaque can penetrate through your enamel and cause cavities. Visiting a dental hygienist for a professional cleaning session that will reduce plaque on your teeth and help prevent cavities.
• To Deal With Bad Breath: Tooth decay and periodontal diseases can cause dry mouth and bad breath or halitosis. Since professional cleanings reduce the chance of cavities, plaque buildup, and gum disease, it leaves you with a beautiful smile and fresh breath.

The frequency of your visits to a dental hygienist is determined by factors that vary from case to case. Your dental hygienist will help you map out a program for you to maintain optimal dental health. Contact us, and book your appointment with a dental hygienist at Edmonton Smiles.