Maintaining dental health in Buckie, Forres & Keith with dental hygiene appointments

Several areas in your mouth are ‘hard to reach’. Because of this, plaque can build up and harden, making it impossible for you to remove it at home. Your hygienist can access all these hard-to-reach areas as they have special tools and training that allow them to remove hardened plaque safely.

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If the hardened plaque or calculus isn’t removed, it can lead to advanced gum disease. As gum disease advances, it can begin to destroy your tooth’s supporting structures – which will eventually lead to wobbly teeth. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults which is why we believe in a preventative approach to dentistry. Routine Dental Hygiene visits should be a part of your dental routine to protect your teeth and gums and help prevent the need for dental treatments.

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Maintaining good oral health is also very important to your overall health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that poor oral health and chronic gum disease can be linked to dementia, inflammatory disease and pneumonia.

A hygienist is a qualified professional specialising in preventive oral care and oral hygiene techniques. They work closely with dentists to deliver comprehensive care, which includes:

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• Professionally cleaning your teeth to remove plaque and tartar.
• Examining your mouth for signs of oral diseases, such as gum disease.
• Educating you on effective oral hygiene practices and the impact of diet on oral health.
• Providing preventive treatments and tailored recommendations, such as fluoride applications and dental sealants.

There are lots of scenarios when you might benefit from visiting your hygienist:

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• To stop bleeding gums — This can be an early sign of gum disease. If caught early by your hygienist, it is usually totally reversible.
• To get expert advice – Another reason dentists refer you to a hygienist for your teeth cleaning is because dental hygienists do more than just clean teeth. They also offer advice on how you can best achieve and maintain good oral health for a lifetime.
• To prevent gum disease – Gum disease (periodontitis) causes bleeding gums, bad breath and loose teeth. Gum disease can be treated, stopped and even reversed if caught in its early stages. Your hygienist will not only treat gum disease, they will help you prevent it yourself at home with a better oral hygiene regime.
• To prevent bad breath – Bad breath or halitosis is usually caused by a dental problem. Fear of halitosis is a very common reason for people seeking dental care. The odour can be released by bacteria from under the gum line, where only a dental hygienist can clean.
• To have a whiter smile – External stains that build on your teeth cannot be removed by brushing alone. These stains are often the result of tea, coffee, tobacco, red wine or other dietary factors. Your hygienist has many ways of removing these stains to restore your teeth to their natural whiteness.
• To reduce the risk of other diseases. Gum disease and poor oral hygiene have associations with heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia to name a few.
• To get specialised treatment – Dental hygienists are highly-educated professionals who have specialised education and training in preventing and treating gum disease. In fact, most dentists delegate this duty to a dental hygienist anyway, allowing the dentists to concentrate on their area of expertise.
• To improve self-esteem and confidence – If your mouth feels clean, it makes you feel good. The feeling of fresher breath makes us more comfortable talking with people. Knowing that healthy gums can improve your general health can also make you feel good about yourself.

Our clinics are based in Keith, Buckie and Forres, and we regularly welcome patients from across Moray, including Elgin, Fochabers, Aberlour, Lossiemouth, Portsoy, Banff and Huntly. Wherever you’re travelling from, we aim to make your care as convenient and straightforward as possible.