The Dental Hygienist is one of the most important people in your dental care regimen.
A Dental Hygienist is trained and licensed to provide preventative care with thorough examination of a patient’s oral health.
The Role of your Dental Hygienist
It is important to know what to expect of your Dental Hygienist.
Regulations vary by state as to the range of services performed by your Dental Hygienist. The Hygienist is educated in accredited colleges or universities with the required national board exam and clinical exam before being awarded a license to practice.
Your Hygienist is responsible for reviewing your overall health history and performing an oral health assessment. Your oral health assessment includes an x-ray, screening for oral cancer, and an evaluation of the health of your gums.
Dental Hygienist means Preventative Care
After a thorough examination of your oral health and interpretation of your x-rays, your Dental Hygienist will consult with the Dentist to make him / her aware of their findings.
Although your Dentist will be the person to treat any oral health problems, it is the Hygienist who is responsible for your preventative care.
Preventative care includes a thorough cleaning of your teeth by removing harmful plaque and calculus (tartar) that can form above and below the gum line. They may also apply cavity preventing agents to your teeth. Your Hygienist will advise you of proper oral hygiene techniques to use at home. They may even counsel you on good nutrition for your teeth.
Knowing the role of your Dental Hygienist is important and you should provide this person with an accurate health history.
Visit Your Dental Hygienist Regularly
Depending on the health of your teeth and gums, you should visit your Dental Hygienist at least twice yearly.
As we age, good oral hygiene and regular check-ups become even more important. You should think of your oral health checkup as you would your annual physical. It’s all about prevention.
Make your Dental Hygienist one of the important people on your health checklist. Call to make your appointment today with the professional Hygienists at the offices of Dr. Ron Rotem.
Good oral hygiene is the key to minimizing oral health problems in the future.
