If you’re searching for a dental hygienist in Christchurch, you’re probably looking for some professional help in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. But what exactly does a dental hygienist do, and when should you book a visit?

In this helpful Q&A guide, we answer common questions about dental hygienists and how they help protect your teeth and gums. Whether you’ve not seen a hygienist before or just looking for a local dental hygienist, we’ve got the answers to your questions.

What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?

A dental hygienist is a registered dental professional who specialises in preventive dental care. The main role of a dental hygienist is to help you to maintain healthy teeth and gums through:

• Professional teeth cleaning – scaling & polishing
• Removing plaque, tartar, and stains
• Providing patient advice on brushing & flossing
• Checking for signs of gum disease & other oral health issues

A dental hygienist and your local dentist will work together to help you maintain good oral health.

Why Should I See a Dental Hygienist?

Visiting a Christchurch dental hygienist is important for your oral health, since they can prevent small issues becoming bigger problems. A regular visit to the hygienist can:

• Identify signs of gum disease
• Prevent gum disease and tooth decay
• Improve the appearance of your smile
• Maintain fresh breath

If you’re unsure when to see your local dental hygienist, speak to your dentist in Christchurch for advice about booking an appointment with a hygienist.

How Often Should I Visit A Dental Hygienist?

Most patients will benefit from a visit to their dental hygienist once every 6 months. However, it does depend on your oral health, where some people may need to visit more frequently. This includes those who have or have had:

• Braces or dental implants, whereby fixtures such as these can lead to food particles getting stuck in the teeth and potentially causing oral health issues
• A history of gum disease, meaning patients with this may be more susceptible to gum disease in the future
• Smoking or vaping, since both can lead to increased bacteria in the mouth alongside discolouring your teeth
• Poor brushing and flossing routines can lead to needing more regular hygienist appointments, since this can cause build up of bacteria that is not reached with daily cleaning

Your dedicated dental hygienist will be able to help you with understanding how frequently you should visit them for a check up, and build a schedule around that.

Is It Painful to See a Dental Hygienist?

Most visits to your local dental hygienist will be comfortable and pain-free. However, if you have sensitive gums or significant tartar build up, you might feel some discomfort during your appointment. We’re proud to offer a welcoming and comfortable environment at our dental practice, where our hygienist will support you to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible when visiting us.

Can a Dental Hygienist Whiten My Teeth?

While it’s not exclusively teeth whitening, a dental hygienist will help clean your teeth by removing surface stains during a scale and polish. This can noticeably brighten your smile, with your teeth appearing whiter. If teeth whitening is something you are looking for, speak to our dental hygienist when visiting and we can discuss options with you.

Ready to Book Your Hygienist Appointment?

Don’t wait for problems with your teeth to arise! If you’re overdue a visit to your local dental hygienist, or simply looking to maintain a radiant and healthy smile, book a visit to our dental hygienist in Christchurch today. Contact our team today for more information and to schedule your appointment with Haydn!