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Plaque develop naturally and adheres to the surfaces of the teeth especially at the gum margins. Brushing regularly twice a day will remove the plaque which is soft debris. Flossing will remove plaque between teeth. However, lack of this will convert plaque to tartar. This is calcified and harder and can only be removed regularly by a dental surgeon or hygienist. Failure to remove this regularly will increase the accumulation, deteriorating the gums and will eventually lead to bone loss around the teeth which is known as periodontal disease.
Your dentist and hygienist will suggest 3, 6 or 12 month intervals for hygiene treatment depending on your own personal circumstances or needs for gum maintenance.
Stains can build up on your teeth and are a real struggle to remove just by brushing your teeth. Tea, coffee, wines, certain foods, fizzy drinks, and smoking can all cause your teeth to stain a yellowy/brown colour. After removing the plaque deposits the Hygienist will carry out a gentle polish to remove stains and restore your teeth to their natural colour.
Hygiene cleaning is usually pain free. However, if you do have any discomfort the hygienist can use anaesthetic gels or give you some local anaesthetic. It is important that you let the hygienist know at the time so they can help with your pain.
Absolutely. Children can benefit greatly from visiting a dental hygienist; this prevents plaque build-up and gum disease. With their visit, it is more likely their understanding of oral health will be improved, and they can get used to the dental environment.
