What to do before seeing a dental hygienist

What to do before seeing an oral health therapist

Regular visits to an oral health therapist can help prevent tartar buildup and keep your teeth a brighter shade of white. If you’ve never been to an oral health therapist before, here’s how you can prepare for your upcoming appointment.

Why see an oral health therapist and not a dentist?

While a dentist can give you a quick clean and polish, an oral health therapist can give you a more thorough clean. 

Regular deep cleans are an important part of looking after your mouth as you age. Deep cleans help remove plaque from your gumline. And healthy gums are an important part of creating a strong foundation for your teeth.

What can you expect when you see an oral health therapist?

An appointment is a bit longer than a regular dental checkup. During your visit your oral health therapist will:

• Check the health of your mouth, teeth and gums
• Go over your brushing and flossing routine
• Remove any tartar from behind or between teeth
• Give your teeth a clean and polish
• Give you tips for keeping plaque and tartar at bay
• Address any issues you might need further treatment for

How to prepare for your appointment

Brush and floss your teeth

Brushing and flossing before your appointment helps get rid of food particles between your teeth and gumline. It also leaves your breath clean and fresh for your oral health therapist. 

Take note of any concerns

If you notice bleeding when you floss or have sore gums - it can be helpful to make a note of these concerns in the weeks before your appointment. It's easy to forget about small changes to your mouth, teeth or gums. You can discuss these changes with your oral health therapist during your appointment. 

Review your medical history

Write down or take photos of your medication so you have them on hand at your appointment. Certain medications can cause dry mouth which can increase your likelihood of developing gum disease. An oral health therapist can help you minimise these risks.

Bring your dental appliance

If you have a retainer or dental appliance, you can bring it with you. Your oral health therapist can clean it ultrasonically and remove any stains or built-up tartar. 

Limit foods and beverages that stain

During your appointment your oral health therapist will clean and polish your teeth. If you want a brighter smile, limiting foods and beverages that stain (like coffee, red wine and tea) can help. 

How do I know if I need to visit an oral health therapist?

Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, it’s still hard to clean between your teeth and around the gum line. You should book a hygiene appointment if:

• You have never seen an oral health therapist before
• You have tartar on the back of your teeth
• Your gums bleed when you brush or floss
• You have bad breath even after brushing
• You have sensitive or puffy gums
• You have receding gums

How often should I see an oral health therapist?

After your first treatment, your oral health therapist will tell you if you need to come back more frequently. It’s common to need to see your oral health therapist once every 6 to 12 months. If you have signs of receding gums, gingivitis or other gum problems, you may need to come back for additional treatment after your first appointment.

Tips for improving your gum health

You don’t have to wait to see an oral health therapist to learn how to look after your gums. These tips can make a big difference:

Learn to floss properly. Place the dental floss between your teeth. Gently guide it up and down against the side of your tooth. As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to make a C motion. This will ensure you are flossing between the tooth and the gum line. 

Switch to an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are particularly helpful for people with bonded retainers. These metal fixtures, used to keep your teeth straight after braces, can be hard to clean behind. An electric toothbrush can help get into those difficult places.

Brush your gumline. Plaque and tartar can easily hide in your gumline. When brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline and use short strokes to help clean the plaque away. If you have an electric toothbrush, hold it against the gumline and the electric bristles will do the work.

Want to know more about the health of your gums?

Book an appointment today with one of our oral health therapists across Wellington, Lower Hutt or Upper Hutt. They can help you stay on top of any gum issues before they become a problem.