Sam, the dental hygienist at CK Dental, carries out professional plaque removal and other dental services for patients of all ages that visit our Clifton dental clinic.

A Dental Hygienist and Therapist graduate, Sam is always learning and developing her skills. Recently, she trained with a leading periodontist to further improve her gum disease knowledge and treatment techniques. Sam loves empowering her patients to manage their oral health.

To support our patients, we have put together some common questions to ask your dental hygienist – with some helpful answers from Sam.

Why do my teeth feel sensitive?

It is important to check with your dentist or hygienist about tooth sensitivity as this is often something that can be easily treated. It may also indicate that there is a more serious oral health condition.

Common reasons for teeth sensitivity include:

• Brushing too hard: Brushing your teeth too firmly causes gum recession and tooth wear, leading to sensitivity, and using an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor can prevent this.
• Acid erosion: Avoid consuming acidic foods and drinks between meals. Brushing too frequently and after meals can increase sensitivity, so brush only twice a day and wait at least an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.
• Teeth grinding: Grinding and clenching your teeth will cause tooth wear and sensitivity. Stress management and a night guard can help protect your teeth from tooth wear.

Sam’s tip: “If there is a particular area or tooth that causes sensitivity, you can try rubbing sensitive toothpaste directly on the area.”

Why do my gums bleed when I brush my teeth?

“Gums bleed when they are irritated and inflamed,” Sam explains. “This is due to plaque being left on the gum line of the teeth, resulting in gum disease.”

It is important to look after your teeth and gums and have regular dental check-ups and hygiene visits to manage plaque build-up and your home care.

Clean your teeth with an electric toothbrush twice a day and also in between teeth daily using well-fitting interdental brushes; this will maintain gum health between visits.

How often should I see my hygienist?

At CK Dental, we believe that early detection of any oral health problems is better than dealing with more extensive damage further down the line.

“Bacteria build up on your teeth every day, so by visiting your hygienist regularly, we can remove hard and soft plaque deposits and, most importantly, give you the skills you need to keep your mouth healthy,” confirms Sam.

We recommend maintenance every three to six months, depending on your level of risk. Some patients may start with an active phase of treatment to get gum disease under control. Maintenance allows us to monitor your gum and tooth health and work with you to correct any incorrect dental techniques – like missed areas and poor brushing.

Will a hygienist appointment hurt?

Professional plaque removal is usually pain-free, and we make sure our patients are as comfortable as possible. However, if we anticipate some discomfort, we provide local anaesthetic injections to make sure your treatment is painless.

For those patients that are anxious about the treatment, CK Dental offers conscious sedation.

See the hygienist – and leave smiling brighter!

Although we have covered some common questions asked about oral hygiene, it is important to ask questions relating to your own teeth and gum health. Sam can give advice on making your teeth look better – be that diet changes and brushing techniques or with a whitening treatment.

A lot can be discussed and achieved in a dental hygiene appointment – and you will leave with bright, clean teeth and fresh breath!

Give us a call on 0117 472 1600 to book your appointment with the hygienist today.