What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
A professional dental hygienist is an essential figure in the dental office. Dental hygienists are certified professionals who play a critical role on your dental health care team, helping every patient maintain their optimal oral health. Below is a description of a professional dental hygienist, details about what they do, and the important role they play in your dental care.
The Role of Dental Hygienists
A dental or oral hygienist is a trained and licensed oral health professional who works alongside dentists to help maintain the health of the teeth and gums. Dental hygienists work directly with patients, often spending more time with them than the dentist does, providing professional dental cleanings, preventive care treatments, and oral hygiene education. They work closely with patients to support their long-term optimal oral health.
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
A wide range of oral health procedures and preventive dental treatments are performed by dental hygienists, including:
- Review of dental and medical history: Most routine dental appointments begin with a discussion about a patient’s dental and health history. This conversation provides important background to help the oral health care team better understand a patient’s past dental history, any current concerns, and goals for the future.
- Oral health screenings: Next, the hygienist will perform a comprehensive oral health screening. The screening will include a thorough examination of the teeth for cavities and decay, signs of gum recession or inflammation, and signs of oral cancer. These screenings help the hygienist identify issues early and discuss them with the dentist to develop a personalized treatment plan.
- Dental cleanings: Much of the appointment will be spent with the hygienist performing a professional dental cleaning. Using specialized instruments, the hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and gumline. Once the teeth are cleaned, they will be polished, leaving a smooth surface that makes it harder for plaque and tartar to accumulate. These cleanings are essential to preventing cavities and gum disease.
- Dental X-rays: At least once a year or for new patients, the hygienist may also take dental X-rays to help visualize areas that are not immediately visible, including the tooth roots, jawbone, sinuses, nerves, and surrounding structures. This helps the dentist identify issues such as bone loss, tooth decay, infections, or other concerns.
- Preventive care: Depending on the dentist’s direction, the hygienist may perform preventive treatments that help protect the teeth from decay, including dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Dental sealants are protective coatings applied to the back teeth, which have deeper grooves that can trap plaque, food particles, and bacteria. Sealants act as a shield, helping prevent cavities. Fluoride treatments may be applied after a cleaning to strengthen the teeth’s enamel.
- Oral hygiene education: Dental hygienists are also responsible for ensuring that patients maintain their daily oral hygiene habits at home. This includes providing education on proper brushing and flossing techniques and talking through any challenges the patient is having. This personalized guidance helps ensure that patients practice consistent oral hygiene routines between dental visits.
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