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Dental Hygienist in Ipswich

Lighthouse Dental Practice welcomes new and existing patients who would like direct access to a dental hygienist. You can make an appointment directly with our hygienists without having to see a dentist for a check-up first.

Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Bad breath that will not go away
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Painful chewing
  • Loose teeth
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Receding gums or longer-appearing teeth

Using advanced screening methods, our highly trained Ipswich hygienists can determine the level of infection (gum disease) in your mouth. They will provide advice and education on achieving good gum health and preventing further periodontal problems.

FAQs

1. What does a dental hygienist do?

The dental hygienist plays a vital role in dental health care. We are mainly concerned with preventative dental health and helping you and your mouth to stay healthy. Perhaps our most familiar role involves general dental maintenance. However, that all revolves around keeping your teeth clean! Our dental hygienists at Lighthouse Dental Practice say “Clean teeth and healthy gums are the cornerstones of good oral health”.

Of course, in an ideal world, all our patients tend to practise excellent oral hygiene. Many of you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes at least twice daily. We know many of you also floss thoroughly, and interdental cleaning helps to dislodge food that’s trapped between your teeth. However, it can also help to reduce gum disease and bad breath by removing plaque that forms along the gum line.

2. What happens during the dental hygiene appointment?

An appointment with one of our gentle and highly skilled dental hygienists will involve a consultation regarding your at-home oral health routine. During this, they may well offer advice on how and where you can improve in this routine, as well as tailoring your routine according to your specific health needs. They’ll then assess your gums and the supporting structures of your teeth before providing a full and thorough clean, including polishing the teeth. They are also able to offer Airflow Tooth Polishing.

Treatment may include scaling and root surface debridement (the removal of debris from the root surface) to remove plaque and calculus from the teeth. This is usually done by an ultra-sonic scaler which is a powered instrument producing vibrations, and a water jet, as well as hand instruments where required. Your hygienist will then polish your teeth to remove stains and give your teeth a nice gleaming shine.

3. Why have a dental hygienist check-up?

Dental hygienists are specially trained to work as part of the dental team to give care to patients. Regular visits to our dental hygienist here in Ipswich will ensure that hidden and difficult-to-reach plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth, killing mouth bacteria and, in some cases, removing surface stains to leave you with a fresher, brighter, and all-round healthier mouth.

Our hygienist will also provide advice on diet and how to prevent future tooth decay. If you are already suffering from gum (periodontal) disease, bleeding gums or bad breath (halitosis), you will need a course of treatments from our hygienist.

4. How often should you visit the hygienist?

If you have good oral hygiene habits and a healthy mouth, your dentist and dental hygienist will probably suggest professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year. Some patients who are more susceptible to gum disease should see a hygienist more often.

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Reviews

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“Hygienist, Angela sets you at ease from the moment you walk in the door. She is not only really thorough but also...”

Jenny

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“Wow! The service I received from Jane was absolutely fantastic; she went above and beyond to assist me so that I wasn't...”

Dee D

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“I am 70 years of age, and I have always been afraid to go to the dentist. A broken tooth and my...”

Earlmain L

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“I booked an emergency treatment appointment, having had a tooth for a few days and was unable to get an appointment with...”

Ginette S

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“As a nervous patient, I was very worried about having my tooth removed. I was instantly put at ease by the reception...”

Susannah B

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“Having not been to a dentist in over 25 years, I was a bag of nerves when I arrived, but I must...”

Nick K

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