So why visit the hygienist regularly?

Oral hygiene is all about removal of the bacterial plaque from all the surfaces of the teeth. This is difficult to achieve when the teeth are straight and even but when there is crowding or fillings and crowns with rough edges it becomes a complex task. There are many factors that can affect an individual's susceptibility to dental problems but the most important one is the effectiveness of the plaque removal on a daily basis.

The primary role of the hygienist is to provide coaching and advice on the tools and technique of effective oral hygiene. Regular visits also allow for monitoring of the condition of the gums and the presence of plaque and this provides an early warning of any problems.

Visiting the hygienist is like having a personal trainer

Ideally everyone would be able to remove every particle of plaque from their teeth every day by means of the skilled manipulation of toothbrushes and dental floss. Unfortunately this does not occur and everyone (including dental professionals) need some coaching and monitoring in order to maintain a sufficiently effective daily clean to prevent dental disease. Although the hygienist can clean your teeth for you and this will make them feel fresh and clean,it only has a limited benefit as plaque quickly forms again. Visiting the hygienist is not a substitute for regular, effective home tooth brushing.