What Does a Dental Hygienist Do Every Day?

Dental hygienists assist your dentist with various aspects of patient care during routine preventive appointments and advanced treatments. They can make a big difference in your overall experience at the dentist’s office, making it much easier for you to maintain a clean, healthy smile while also staying up to date on any oral health issues that you might need to get addressed soon. The following post explores 5 things dental hygienists do daily to help patients smile.

1. Patient Screenings

Before your dentist examines your teeth, your hygienist can perform a brief check for cavities, gum disease, and other issues. The exam may be more extensive depending on how healthy your mouth is. Once the examination is complete, the dental hygienist will let the dentist know what they found so that they already know what kind of symptoms they need to watch out for.

2. Cleanings

Dental hygienists are responsible for removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. Plaque is somewhat loose and can be removed with regular brushing, but it can still build up in places that you’ve had trouble reaching with your toothbrush. Tartar is plaque that has hardened and can only be removed by a professional. By getting rid of plaque and tartar, your dental hygienist can help keep your smile safe from tooth decay and other potential dental issues.

3. Teaching Patients About Oral Hygiene

Do you have trouble taking care of your teeth at home? Your dental hygienist can help you identify the weak spots in your oral hygiene routine. For example, they can advise you on how often you should be brushing and flossing as well as any areas of the mouth that you should be paying particularly close attention to while you’re cleaning them.

4. Keeping Patients Calm and Informed

Some patients avoid the dentist for a very long time before coming in for an appointment. As such, they may be nervous or uncomfortable during their visit. A dental hygienist can help patients stay calm and at ease while they get the care their smile needs. They can also explain what to expect during the visit so that the patient isn’t caught off guard at any point.

5. X-rays and Impressions

Taking X-rays is crucial for diagnosing a variety of oral health issues, and high-quality impressions are necessary for creating lifelike dental crowns and other restorations. Dental hygienists are trained to perform both of these vital tasks.

When you visit a dental practice that has a dental hygienist on staff, you can look forward to more efficient, thorough care. If you’d like to learn more about what your dental hygienist in Ghana does, give your dentist’s office a call.

About the Practice

At Bethel Dental, we aim to provide state-of-the-art care while keeping our patients comfortable and relaxed. We’re proud to have recently added two knowledgeable dental hygienists from the United States to our staff; we look forward to having them help us bring Ghana families an even higher level of care. To schedule your next checkup with us, visit our website.