Most of us swear by regular check-ups at the dentist, followed by a trip to see the hygienist. With an emphasis on what’s going on below the surface of the teeth, focusing on the structure of the mouth and the stability and integrity of the teeth, the role of a dentist is to ensure that your teeth are stable and able to support everyday tasks, such as eating, communicating, and drinking. The role of a hygienist, meanwhile, focuses more on the surface of the teeth and deals with the importance of oral hygiene in supporting a healthy mouth.

However, that’s not to say that regular visits to the hygienist are purely aesthetic. In fact, oral hygiene and the health of the teeth play a huge role in overall wellbeing, and can genuinely impact a series of other conditions that may cause more issues down the line. 

In this blog, we’re emphasising not just the importance of regular dental cleanings by a hygienist, but the role of a hygienist in overall wellness, and the impact that good oral hygiene has on your lifestyle. 

What does a hygienist do?

The role of a hygienist is to provide a thorough teeth cleaning and to assess the quality of your oral hygiene routine. They will ask questions about how regularly you brush and floss your teeth, and will be able to suggest changes to maximise your routine and ensure that both your teeth and gums are cleaned effectively and safely. 

In comparison with a dentist, who focuses on more structural aspects of dentistry, hygienists are the right people to talk to about teeth whitening solutions and the impact of your oral routine on overall health and wellbeing. 

But, while most of us know that brushing and flossing is important, there is a significant gap in knowledge when it comes to conditions that are caused or exacerbated by poor oral hygiene. Let’s take a closer look at how oral health connects with the rest of the body and why it’s so important for overall wellbeing. 

Why is oral health so important for overall wellbeing?

One of the most prominent issues that can be caused by a lack of oral hygiene is gum disease – but did you know that this in turn can transform into a wealth of other health issues and challenges?

When gum disease is allowed to set in, it weakens the gums and leads to inflammation, which allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Because our mouths come into contact with so many outside objects and elements, the number of bacteria that this can expose us to is huge – creating issues that are allowed to enter the bloodstream and circulate around the body with alarming efficiency. 

Some of the conditions that poor oral hygiene can lead to include:

• Heart disease. This is because, when the body is fighting or experiencing gum disease, its natural defences are lowered, and it becomes harder to control your blood sugar and the presence of bacteria. Once in the heart, bacteria can cause inflammation, which increases the damage to blood vessels – leading to, or worsening, heart issues. 
• Endocarditis. Caused by inflammation to the lining of the heart as a result of infection. 
• Pneumonia. Again, caused by bacteria, but this time in the lungs, leading to inflammation throughout the breathing system in the body. 

All of these health issues are why seeing a hygienist for regular appointments is so important. Not only can they check your existing oral hygiene routine, but they can provide advice on how to achieve an effective clean without heightening sensitivity in your mouth. 

Signs that you may need to see a dental hygienist

Having covered the importance of dental hygienist appointments and how these appointments support overall wellness, as well as oral health and hygiene, the final thing to do is identify the main signs that you might need to book a hygienist appointment sooner rather than later.

Starting with an obvious one, any blood that you see while brushing your teeth indicates that you either have some damage to the gums, that you are brushing too hard, or that you may have some gum inflammation that is becoming irritated during brushing. If any of these are the case, seeing a dental hygienist will enable you to understand the cause of the blood and take steps to rectify it. 

Another sign that you may need to see a hygienist is bad breath. There are multiple causes of bad breath and, while cavities and other structural issues will need to be referred to a dentist, the hygienist is a good initial port of call for advice.

Some other signs that you may be due a hygienist appointment include:

• Toothache 
• Discolouration on the surface of the teeth 
• Sensitive teeth and growing gaps between the teeth

If any of these are familiar or are signs you have experienced when brushing your teeth, we recommend booking an appointment with a hygienist to identify any underlying issues and to adjust your oral hygiene routine accordingly. 

Hygienist FAQs

Finally, a few frequently asked questions about hygienist appointments, when to book them, and how to keep your teeth healthy between appointments. 

How often should you see a hygienist?

It is generally recommended that you see a hygienist at least once every six months. Most people see their dentist once or twice a year, and coincide appointments so that they fall together for convenience. 

How to keep teeth healthy and clean between appointments?

Regular brushing twice a day, flossing, and following a healthy lifestyle are all important parts of oral health and hygiene. This includes drinking lots of water, getting lots of nutrients and vitamins, and of course avoiding using your teeth for tasks that may cause damage – for example, opening bottles and breaking things open. 

The more you look after your teeth and protect your oral health, the less you will need to rely on hygienists and dentists to reverse any damage caused. Book your next appointment by getting in touch with your local clinic directly.