Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene consists of the practices that keep people’s teeth whole and healthy.  Brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of Dental Hygiene, but there are many other precautions a person can take that can help preserve teeth and gums.  There is also a direct relationship between diet and dental health that is often misunderstood or ignored.

In the dental office, the dental hygienist performs many functions with patients to assist them in maintaining healthy teeth.  The American Dental Association recommends regular teeth cleaning twice a year.  As the dental hygienist cleans the patient’s teeth, an assessment of the gums, teeth, neck and face are also being done to detect any other problems that could affect the patient’s health.  Some diseases like Diabetes, Oral Cancer, and Sjörgren’s Syndrome affect the teeth and gums in the early stages of the disease.  Early detection of tooth decay, gum disease and other diseases will typically make treatment of the problems much more effective.

The Dental Hygienist has received several years of specialized education culminating in a test by the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, which is required by almost all states for licensing.   Only one state, Alabama, still holds their licensing process apart from the ADA, but the process and requirements are very similar to the rest.

The American Dental Hygienists Association, ADHA, explains the training and capabilities of a Dental Hygientist as follows:

“The Hygienist can clean teeth, check for periodontal gum disease, and perform thorough head and neck examinations to look for oral cancer and other problems.  To prevent and treat disease, they remove plaque (a stubborn film that contains bacteria), and calculus, both above and below the gum line.  To prevent caries, dental hygienists provide nutrition counseling, apply fluorides or pit and fissure sealants, and in some states, polish and contour fillings.  Because dental hygienists specialize in preventive oral health care, they educate their patients, the community, and schools on oral health and its effect on overall health, as well provide dietary education and counseling. They expose, develop, and interpret oral X-rays. In many states, registered dental hygienists administer local anesthesia and/or nitrous oxide.”

If you have children, regular visits to the dentist for check-ups and cleanings can minimize fillings and dental traumas later.  Children especially can benefit from fluoride treatments and sealants that prevent tooth decay.  Early education about proper brushing and flossing techniques and diet are beneficial life lessons that are long term gifts a parent can give to a child.

At Parkview Dentistry, we rely on our Dental Hygienists to perform all of these tasks.  By making a commitment to having regular teeth cleaning, you are giving yourself and your teeth another line of defense against tooth decay, gum disease, and even early detection of other serious health problems such as diabetes and oral cancer.

Call Parkview Dentistry today at 480-836-1551 to schedule your next tooth cleaning and exam with one of our Dental Hygienists.