Going to the dentist can be an intimidating and even scary experience for many people. However, it is important to realize that your dental hygienist only wants to help you have the best oral health possible.
Here are ten things your dental hygienist wishes you knew.
1. Brush and Floss Properly
Brushing and flossing are important for your oral health. And so it is no surprise that your dental hygienist wishes you knew the best techniques because incorrect brushing and flossing leave plaque and bacteria behind, putting you at risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, you should brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle, moving the brush in gentle circles. And when doing so, make sure to brush all surfaces for two minutes. As for flossing, curve the floss around each tooth, rubbing the side of the tooth as well as going below the gumline.
Additionally, your dental hygienist wants you to know that electric toothbrushes provide a more thorough cleaning. The best practice is to brush thoroughly twice per day with an electric brush and floss at least once per day.
Proper brushing and flossing prevent so many oral health issues down the road.
2. Sugary Drinks Damage Teeth
Sodas, juices, sweet tea, sports drinks, and other sugary beverages feel refreshing, but they damage tooth enamel. Your dental hygienist wants you to understand that the sugar and acid in these drinks interact to basically eat away at tooth enamel. This erosion and decay leads to dental issues like discoloration and cavities down the road.
Even milk and fruit juices contain acids and sugars – and it’s best to limit consumption and drink beverages quickly through a straw instead of sipping over long periods of time. Additionally, drink water after consuming any sugary drinks to rinse the acids away.
Your dental hygienist can spot early signs of enamel issues and probably wishes you knew how much sugary drinks impact your dental health.
3. Certain Foods and Habits Stain Teeth
Lots of foods and drinks can stain teeth, which can be very challenging to reverse.
Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, berries, tomato sauce, and hard candies are some of the biggest culprits for tooth staining and discoloration. Additionally, habits like smoking introduce staining compounds into your mouth.
Your dental hygienist does their best to buff away superficial staining during cleanings, but some stubborn stains require professional whitening treatments.
Visible staining usually indicates porous areas in enamel that are vulnerable to decay. Plus, heavily stained teeth may indicate greater dental issues below the surface that require intervention.
Basically, your hygienist wishes you knew what causes stains so you can prevent them.
4. Oral Health Connects to Overall Health
There is increasing evidence that poor oral health corresponds with a greater risk for complex health conditions. Gum disease shows connections with heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes complications, among others.
Basically, poor oral health can lead to poor general health in some people. That’s why your dental hygienist usually performs a thorough exam of your teeth and gums at appointments. They look for early signs of oral infections, gum recession, and slow healing – issues that may reflect vulnerabilities elsewhere or future disease risks if left unchecked.
Your hygienist truly wishes you knew how important your oral health is as far as your general health is concerned.
5. Certain Medications Impact Oral Health
Many common medications have oral health side effects that patients are simply unaware of. For example, antihistamines, pain meds, antidepressants, blood pressure prescriptions, and diuretics are a few types that often cause dry mouth and reduced saliva flow. This leaves teeth vulnerable to bacteria and decay. Also, other medications directly stain teeth.
It is important to understand that all the tools and education your dental hygienist provides at appointments aim to counterbalance medication side effects so as to ensure that you have better comfort and health. It would be good if you would inform them of all the medications you take so they can offer the best supplemental oral care for your situation.
And so don’t leave your hygienist in the dark about your medications.
6. Mouthwash Should Not Replace Brushing and Flossing
Mouthwash can certainly help kill germs and temporary bad breath between brushes. However, the most important thing your dental hygienist wants you to know is that mouthwash should not replace fundamental oral hygiene with brushing and flossing. Rinsing alone is not enough to fully remove plaque below and between teeth.
Dependence on mouthwash gives bacteria extended access to enamel, and this leads to acid damage. Plus, consistent plaque buildup from lack of thorough cleaning can harden into tartar over time. That tartar requires special tools to remove, and it often indicates a higher risk for most oral infections and diseases.
Simply put, using just mouthwash is asking for dental disaster down the road.
7. Bleeding Gums Are an Emergency
Gums that bleed easily with mild stimulation are in bad shape.
Bleeding gums usually signal inflammation and bacterial infiltration and require urgent dental attention. And swollen, tender, bleeding gums indicate gingivitis advancing into periodontal disease. And when inflammation is left untreated, it can rapidly destroy gum tissue and deeper supporting structures.
Unfortunately, many patients do not realize bleeding gums are an emergency that calls for the adjustment of oral hygiene routines and sometimes possibly antibiotics or surgery. Some assume occasional blood with brushing is normal, which is far from true.
Your restored gum health heavily depends on you taking warning signs seriously.
8. Bring Up Any Oral Discomfort with Them
Some people withhold mentioning mouth sores, swelling, jaw pain, or other oral discomfort because they assume it will resolve naturally. However, your dental hygienist always wants to know about symptoms bothering you because they may be signs of infections, nerve damage, TMJ, lesions, and other issues needing assessment and treatment.
Don’t downplay your symptoms assuming that they are inconsequential – a minor mouth irritation can bloom into a major infection. Any discomfort deserves professional examination if it lasts over two weeks. Whether it’s a strange pain when chewing or a stubborn mouth sore, report it to your dentist or hygienist so that they can identify the cause and appropriate treatment plan.
9. Hygienists Want to Know Your Medical History
Thorough knowledge of your medical conditions and prescriptions truly helps dental hygienists customize your care. Certain diagnoses like diabetes, osteoporosis, heart abnormalities, respiratory illnesses, and autoimmune diseases carry oral side effects and risks that require unique vigilance. Moreover, many medications directly impact oral health.
That’s why your dental hygienist wishes you disclosed health changes at each visit, even if it is just a minor cold. This is because compromised immunity alters how your mouth fights germs. It also elevates risks from dental procedures. Plus, if they know your health status and medications, hygienists can immediately spot otherwise mysterious symptoms and adjust dental care plans accordingly.
10. Ask Any Dental Questions That Come Up!
Finally, your dental hygienist wants you to feel comfortable asking questions about dental health instead of relying on internet searches. Each person’s health history, mouth anatomy, and vulnerabilities differ. This means that blanket advice may not apply to your situation.
So whether it’s asking about a palate expander for your child, correct Waterpik settings for your dental work, or whether a teeth alignment product seems legitimate, your hygienist can provide personalized guidance. They study for years just for this – to educate patients accurately one-on-one. So do not hesitate to take a list of questions to appointments for reliable recommendations that support your health goals!
In summary, dental hygienists truly wish the best oral health and overall well-being for each patient. Keep their top tips and requests in mind at your next appointment so that you can build a collaborative relationship for defending both your dental health and general health!
