Common Dental Hygiene Procedures Performed at the Dentist
August 25th, 2010 by Bill E. Kidd
Just what does a dental hygiene do? Have you ever wondered what dental hygiene procedures performed at the dentist are able to be performed by a dental hygienist? We have, and we’ve decided to outline a few of them for you here.
Common Dental Hygiene Procedures Performed at the Dentist
The dental hygienist acts as the dentist’s nurse. She does many of the information gathering tasks such as taking x-rays, performing a patient history, and examining the mouth for common oral diseases. It’s the dentist’s job to interpret these findings, formulate a plan of treatment, consult with the patient, and carry out the treatment (or assign a qualified professional to complete portions of the treatment).
When visiting the dental hygienist, you will likely start with a few information-gathering questions. This is the time to relay any tooth pain, problems, or questions you have about your dental care. Be sure to tell the hygienist if you have any allergies to medications, or a sensitivity or allergy to latex, as this can significantly affect your care and your plan of treatment.
Next, the hygienist will take x-rays of your mouth, if ordered by your dentist. Like other x-rays, this procedure is painless and does not take long. The hygienist may leave the room for a few minutes, but will return shortly to continue your exam.
Next, the dental hygienist will clean your teeth. Using an abrasive solution, the plaques and debris built up on your teeth are removed with a tool. This procedure is gentle and painless, and you may even get to choose a flavored solution for your cleaning. You’ll get your teeth flossed and have an opportunity to rinse out your mouth when the cleaning is complete.
Next, your dental hygienist will examine your teeth and mouth for problem areas and common dental diseases. He or she will make notes in your chart for the dentist to read.
If ordered, the dental hygienist may apply a fluoride treatment to help strengthen the enamel of your teeth. This takes a few minutes, and the hygienist may choose to leave the room during this time.
Once the cleaning and exam portions of your visit are complete, the dentist will come in and review your x-rays with you. He or she will also perform an exam of your mouth, and discuss possible plans of treatment for your condition. Depending on the dentist, he or she may chose to floss your teeth, or perform other aspects of the exam usually done by the hygienist. He or she may also check your bite pattern and jaw alignment for signs of problems or disease.
Visiting the dentist is much less scary when you know what types of common dental hygiene procedures to expect. Knowledge is an empowering tool for many nervous dental patients. Don’t be afraid to ask your dental practitioners questions about what to expect and what is happening around you during a dental visit.
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