How to Prepare For Dental Hygienist Treatment

Many people are reluctant to schedule routine dental hygiene appointments. Even when your oral health feels excellent, regular dental check-ups and cleanings with your dental hygienist are essential for the prevention and early detection and treatment of potential oral issues like tooth decay and periodontitis disease.

If you have yet to have a dental hygiene appointment, you might be curious about what to expect during your visit. In this article, let’s look at what routine dental hygiene appointment entails and how to prepare accordingly.

Preparing for Your Dental Hygiene Appointment

Fortunately, preparing for your dental hygiene visit is straightforward. To ensure a smooth experience, below are vital things to do before the appointment:

• • Confirm your appointment.

Appointment mistakes can happen due to various reasons. To avoid any confusion, be sure to confirm your appointment with your dental hygienist in advance. In case of any changes, you’ll be aware and can be able to schedule another appointment at your convenience.

• • Brush and floss your teeth.

You don’t want to give the hygienist more work cleaning debris that you can easily clean off at home. Not cleaning your teeth before the appointment can also cause foul breath, making your appointment more unpleasant.

Brushing and flossing your teeth before your appointment will make it more pleasant and easier for the dental hygienist to serve you better. Also, avoid eating strong-smelling foods in the hours leading to your appointment to ensure fresher breath.

• • Make notes.

Do you have concerns or questions about oral health that you’d like to ask your dental hygienist? It’s best to note them down just in case your mind goes blank during the appointment.

• • Bring your dental appliances.

If you wear dental devices like mouth guards, dentures, or retainers, you must bring them to the appointment. The hygienist will examine them for fitness and damage to ensure maximum comfort and protection. They can also clean the devices to remove any built-up plaque and tartar.

• • Let the hygienist know if you’re anxious.

More than 50% of dental patients suffer from dental anxiety and phobia. Let your hygienist know before the appointment. They can provide sedation to put you at ease and comfortable during your appointment.

What Happens During my Hygiene Appointment?

Once you get to the dental office, below are general steps on what to expect:

• • Medical and dental history

First, the dental hygienist will begin by reviewing your medical history. Tell them if you have oral or health issues or allergies or are taking any medication. The hygienist might also ask about your diet and lifestyle habits like smoking. This information is necessary for the hygienist to know how to serve you the best.

• • Examination

Next, the hygienist will examine your teeth, gums, neck, throat, and mouth for potential oral issues like tooth decay, gum disease, gum recession, trauma, bad breath, poor bite, and cancer. If any problems are detected, the hygienist will refer you to our dentist in Northeast Calgary, AB, for treatment.

• • Professional cleaning

After the exam, the hygienist will use special cleaning tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and around the gums.

Even with excellent at-home brushing and flossing, it might be difficult to efficiently clean hard-to-reach areas between teeth and the back molars. Professional cleaning is essential to eliminate any plaque build-up in these areas. It reduces your risk of developing decay, gum disease, and other issues.

After scaling, the hygienist will polish your teeth for a brighter and smoother appearance. Lastly, they will brush and floss your teeth. The hygienist might provide further preventive procedures like fluoride treatments and dental sealants to protect you from potential oral issues.

Results and Follow-up Meetings

After the cleaning, the hygienist will share the results. They might also take a few minutes to educate you on excellent oral hygiene tips, diet, and lifestyle habits. Before leaving the office, be sure to schedule your next appointment.

How to Find the Perfect Dental Hygienist Online

Finding a good dental hygienist online can be a real hassle. Below are essential qualities to keep in mind during your search:

• Personality. A good hygienist should have good character. They should make you feel comfortable and at ease during your appointment. Fortunately, you can judge someone’s personality even through a call.
• Education and experience. A good hygienist should have up-to-date training and education and a relatively great track record of work history. Most hygienists have their licenses and certifications visible on their websites or offices. Fortunately, a quick search online can indicate a hygienist’s educational background, experiences, and patient reviews.
• Communication. Good communication skills are essential for a hygienist to communicate effectively with their patients. A good hygienist should also be able to pick up and understand body language when patients can’t express themselves vocally.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in hygiene therapy in Calgary, AB? Contact Sunridge Dental Clinic to speak with our dentist near you.