PreventionDental Hygiene

Your mouth is continuously changing and to prevent any deterioration you must have ongoing care to maintain oral health and hygiene.

Your Dental Hygienist, under the direction of your Dentist, may undertake the following range of treatments:

• a medical history review
• periodontal assessment and charting
• removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from your teeth and underneath the gum line
• education of effective home care techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums
• dental radiographs
• dietary analysis and advice on nutrition and its relationship to oral health
• the application of fluoride and desensitising agents
• product recommendations
• tooth whitening
• fissure sealants
• saliva pH testing
• dental impressions
• oral cancer screening
• temporomandibular joint (TMJ) assessment

Periodontal charting involves the collection of detailed information regarding the health of the gum and bone that supports your teeth. There are a number of measurements that are taken as part of a periodontal examination. These include, but are not limited to, gum pocket depths, recession and mobility.

Once all this data has been collected, it will be explained to you in terms that you can understand. A treatment plan will then be devised to ensure that you have the best opportunity to achieve optimal periodontal health. Your hygienist will make some level of reassessment at each hygiene visit and it is normal for the periodontal charting to be fully reassessed at least once per year.

Your mouth is continuously changing and to prevent any deterioration you must have ongoing care to maintain oral health and hygiene.

Please visit our FAQ on dental hygiene for more information.