Our hygienist, Emma, works alongside our Principal Dentist, Paul, to provide essential preventive care for your teeth and gums. She also works with you to encourage the development of an effective dental hygiene routine to perform at home, helping to ensure your continued oral health.
As Emma’s chief concern is the condition of your gums, she will routinely perform a thorough assessment to make sure they are healthy and free from disease. Emma also helps reduce the likelihood that you will develop gum disease by ‘scaling and polishing’ to remove plaque and tartar build-up and teaching you how to care for your teeth and gums at home, with toothbrushes, interdental brushes and floss.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, the substance that constantly coats the surface of our teeth. If this is left to stick around, it can lead to inflammation of the gums, which can develop into advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis. This is an irreversible condition that can adversely affect gum health and the bone that holds your teeth in place.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of gum disease, some of which you can influence, e.g. smoking, poor nutrition and stress, and some which cannot be altered, e.g. a genetic disposition, how your teeth bite together, hormonal effects and systemic diseases, such as diabetes.
Emma’s role is to arm you with the skills and information you need to make an informed decision about your oral health care. If you do suffer from gum disease, she can offer treatment and the necessary advice to help you improve your hygiene techniques. To be effective, oral hygiene needs to be a continuous process undertaken at home and with our professional support.
Good teeth and gum health can have a positive effect on the rest of your body too, because studies have shown a link between poor oral health and conditions such as heart disease and strokes.
As well as supporting patients with their oral hygiene, Emma gives dietary advice, and can take x-rays to help detect decay. She can help protect children’s teeth against decay, by applying a fissure sealant – a white protective coating that covers the wrinkles on the biting surfaces of teeth to stop food debris collecting.
Keeping teeth and gums in optimum condition means committing to a comprehensive home care routine, and Emma will show you exactly how to maximise the cleanliness of your teeth and the health of your gums.
Pick up some essential gum health tips and benefit from a professional ‘scale and polish’ at Paul Smith Dental Care – call us on 01625 431 063 to book your appointment.
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