Is a Dental Hygienist worth a visit???

amyb_2

brook2jack wrote: »

For many people a visit to the hygienist is not necessarily a treament it is a preventative measure to head off trouble in the future.

Thank you.
How often is it recommended to go?

Alisha2008

I think it's recommended to go at least once a year. I went last week and my teeth were so bad that the hygienist said I need another clean in 3 months, she couldn't take it all out (I bleeded a lot). I also brush daily, use floss and don't smoke, but that doesn't mean you don't need cleaning.

SailorSam

I suppose i've been pretty lucky with my teeth.i'm 58 and still have nearly all my own but i started going for regular check-ups every 6mths now every 12mths, and visiting the hygienist every 4mths now every 12mths, after i injured my hand ten years ago. I found at the time i couldn't twist the toothbrush properly to get into clean. Although i could get by without the visit to the hygienist now i still think it's worth it 'cos it's very rare that i need any extra treatment
I don't see them both at the same time, one at the end of the year the other in the summer so if there was a problem it's only a gap of 6mths between visits for one of them to pick up.

brook2jack

amyb wrote: »

Thank you.
How often is it recommended to go?

It varies from person to person. Some people only need a visit every couple of years some with severe problems come weekly until they're stabilised. People with implants might need to come every three months, most private patients go six monthly. It depends on how healthy your mouth is and how closely you follow the hygienists advise.

bohemia

I'd completely recommend visiting one, although I was initially very sceptical. I have great teeth with no fillings (am late 20s) but before my visit I only flossed once a week or so. I naively thought everything was fine, even though my gums would bleed when flossing. Turns out I had the early stages of gum disease and I'd been completely unaware because that's the kind of the thing the dentist doesn't spot. I would now totally recommend visiting a hygienist just to check you're doing everything right. I'm going for a 6 month check up soon but probably won't need to go again for a while.

hethmar

I go after my 6 monthly check up as the dentist sends through on the puter anything he wants particular care taken of. They take a lot of time nowdays to explain the best toothbrushes, the best way to floss or use those little flue brush things and also how to look after your gums. I use Corsodyl daily toothpaste now and do my best to keep my teeth and gums ok. I was a smoker for 40 years and lost a lot of back teeth and had some discoloured front ones. When I went for a cosmetic dental make over the dentist blunty told me that if I didnt pack up smoking then Id be wasting the £3k I was thinking of spending and frankly he wouldnt do the work. The first time the hygenist cleaned my teeth, there was a lot of blood from the gums and she asked the dentist to prescribe some meds for them.

Well, bless him, it was the kick up the butt I needed and I havent smoked for nearly 5 years now and every time I have a check up he always says, lovely, pink gums, well done When I look at the pre work photos he took Im horrified by the colour not only of the teeth and the stains but by the awful colour of my gums. (Oh and packing up ciggies actually paid for my dental makeover in just over 18 months).

If you need help packing up fags, go to your GP - most GPs run clinics now. I went on my own using nicotine replacements.

Solstice_Twilight

I'm on a dental scheme which costs me £10.50 a month and I get two hygienist appointments and two dental appointments a year, and it covers a fair chunk of any work that needs doing (there is a long list of exclusions as well but I also get 20% off this for being a plan member). So far, I've never needed anything doing - never had a filling or anything, but I'd rather pay monthly and know I can go, rather than the problem I had before when money was tighter and I'd often cancel my appointments to save the cash for food/bills/getting to work.
I always book my appointments so they fall immediately one after another, and go first for my dental check up then the hygienist comes in and cleans my teeth. I go six monthly and my dentist is very good about booking them either first thing in the morning or last thing on the evening so I either go to work a little late or a leave a little bit early and then make the time up, rather than having to take a full half-day holiday for the appointment.

belfastgirl23

hethmar wrote: »

I go after my 6 monthly check up as the dentist sends through on the puter anything he wants particular care taken of. They take a lot of time nowdays to explain the best toothbrushes, the best way to floss or use those little flue brush things and also how to look after your gums. I use Corsodyl daily toothpaste now and do my best to keep my teeth and gums ok. I was a smoker for 40 years and lost a lot of back teeth and had some discoloured front ones. When I went for a cosmetic dental make over the dentist blunty told me that if I didnt pack up smoking then Id be wasting the £3k I was thinking of spending and frankly he wouldnt do the work. The first time the hygenist cleaned my teeth, there was a lot of blood from the gums and she asked the dentist to prescribe some meds for them.

Well, bless him, it was the kick up the butt I needed and I havent smoked for nearly 5 years now and every time I have a check up he always says, lovely, pink gums, well done When I look at the pre work photos he took Im horrified by the colour not only of the teeth and the stains but by the awful colour of my gums. (Oh and packing up ciggies actually paid for my dental makeover in just over 18 months).

If you need help packing up fags, go to your GP - most GPs run clinics now. I went on my own using nicotine replacements.

Well done you!! :T:T:T

hethmar

The lovely thing is belfastgirl, by packing the cigs up, not only am I healthier but I have all that previouslu wasted money to spend on things that are nice and on my charity projects:) And its so wonderful when someone actually says what lovely teeth I have

GlynD

I've just been to the hygienist yesterday and I can say now that it was very worthwhile. £25 well spent. The calculus was affecting my gums, even though I do brush regularly. She removed it.