Hygiene Services

Dental hygiene, also known as oral hygiene, is a large part of preventative dental care. At the core of dental hygiene is your home care routine, including brushing and flossing your teeth. While you are responsible for day-to-day dental maintenance, your dental hygienist along with your dentists, play an integral role in preventative oral care.

At your hygiene appointment, your dental hygienist will perform a professional tooth cleaning, inlcuding scraping off plaque, removing calculus deposits both above and under your gum tissue (scaling and root planing), and cleaning and polishing your teeth (prophylaxis).  Also any necessary X-rays will be taken, and sealants and fluoride treatments may be recommended.  Your dental hygienist will also identify any tissue changes in your oral cavity related to your gums and bone, and preform an oral cancer screening.

Your dentist will then work with your hygienist by further examining the teeth, mouth and gums to recommend and provide any necessary treatment. Regular dental visits are essential at any age for the maintenance of oral health. The American Dental Association recommends that patients visit their dental hygienist an dentist a minimum of two times each year to maintain proper dental hygiene.