The High Street Dental Practice, Chippenham

What is the hygienist's role
	The Hygienist's main role is to provide professional cleaning of the teeth for the patient. This is called scaling and polishing. However, their most important role is the education of a patient in the best way to keep their teeth free from plaque. The hygienists will work with your dentist to provide care tailored to your needs.
Why is the treatment important?
	Regular professional cleaning combined with your home care will help maintain a healthy mouth. A clean and healthy mouth will improve your appearance, maintain your general health and help you keep your teeth.
Can a hygienist help prevent dental disease
	The training of the hygienist is centred around preventing dental disease. Careful removal of the deposits that build up on the teeth (tartar) and teaching you how to stop it reforming again, will go a long way to slowing the progress of gum disease. By discussing your diet and recommending other preventative measures your decay can also be reduced.
Why doesn't the dentist do this work
	Some dentists will carry out this type of work. However, many now recognise that the hygienist has been specially trained to carry out scaling and polishing and can spend longer with you. They are also expert at teaching you how to look after your teeth and gums. Often a hygienist will spend a long time getting the gums and teeth ready for the dentist to restore the teeth with crowns and fillings.
What can I do to help the hygienist
	You can do a great deal to help yourself and the hygienist, as you are in control of your mouth between visits to the practice. Your hygienist will have shown you how to remove plaque with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You will have been shown how to clean between your teeth with floss/tape and little brushes. There are many products now available and your hygienist will recommend those that are appropriate for you and you can obtain them here at the practice. Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet from food and drinks and chewing sugar free gum between meals, can help reduce decay. Your hygienist can help you by looking at your diet and making recommendations for you to consider.
Does every practice have a hygienist?
	Not all practices have a hygienist, we are very lucky that we have four very experienced and dedicated hygienists. The hygienists can only see patients that have been referred to them by a dentist and they work under the dentists' prescription but with a high degree of clinical freedom. We value our hygienists and their provision of services for our patients very highly. We hope that you will visit the hygienist and find the experience enlightening and well worth while. To get the most out of the practice, why not book your next examination and hygienist appointment together.