Category: Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists in Edinburgh deal with the preventive side of dental health. At Craigentinny Dental Care our dental hygienists in Edinburgh  offer the regular range of health care procedures whilst also educating patients as to the best way to look after their teeth at home.

We have found that probably the most important aspect of preventative health care is to keep teeth free of plaque, plaque is a sticky coating which can form constantly on teeth and, if left, can lead to tooth decay.  Our hygienists professionally clean our patients’ teeth by removing plaque and tartar and will work with the dental team to produce a plan of dental care that is specific to the needs of the patient. 

What else can a hygienist do within a dental practice?

Our dental hygienists in Edinburgh can also sometimes carry out some other dental procedures, such as extracting ‘baby’ teeth and sometimes take dental X-rays. But their main volume of work is dedicated to the application of fissure sealants, applying fluoride varnishes and administering fluoride treatments. Both of our hygienists are qualified in impression taking and local anaesthesia.

Does every dental practice have a dental hygienist?

Not every practice has hygienists, but more and more of them do offer this service.  We know how important prevention is for good dental health and we see this as an integral part of our service to all patients. A good home dental health regime and regular professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar will result in a much cleaner mouth in general, which in turn will help to keep your mouth healthy and breath fresh.

Can a hygienist help prevent disease?

This really is the aim of all dental hygienists, prevention is always better than cure and we know that it is so important to remove deposits of tartar from the teeth and educate patients as to the best way of preventing it coming back. This, in turn, will ensure that the patient will not get gum disease or other complications.

Tooth decay can also be slowed down by a better diet with less sugar and a smart home dental care routine of brushing twice a day and flossing in between teeth to keep the teeth and mouth healthy.  We also often recommend giving up smoking, as research has also shown that smokers are more likely to get gum disease than non-smokers.  Our hygienists will be able to help you with advice as to the best ways of giving up smoking.

And enjoy your clean mouth!

We endeavour to help patients with all aspects of their dental healthcare and our hygienists are an integral part of our overall mission.  The prize of a healthy clean mouth with fresh breath is there for the taking and our dental professionals are all there to help you with your specific needs. Through a tailored plan of preventative measures and a willingness to pursue a good oral health care regime at home, our patients will soon have the fresh, clean smile they have always wanted.

Here at Craigentinny Dental Care, we’ve been committed to providing the residents of Edinburgh for the past 25 years with a bespoke, patient orientated, tailored dental service like no other. It is our belief that the individual needs and requirements of each of our patients should be at the forefront of everything we do, rather than opting for the one-size-fits-all approach to dentistry which has sadly become commonplace in far too many practices across the city. Treatment from us here at Craigentinny Dental Care is only carried out by a practitioner of the patient’s choosing whom they trust wholeheartedly and with whom they share a good rapport. Prior to beginning treatment, patients must first undertake informal consultations between themselves and a practitioner of their choosing who will detail the basics of each procedure as well as explain what outcome the patient can expect as a result of their treatment.

Discreet orthodontics

One procedure which is particularly popular here at Craigentinny Dental Care is the installation of discreet braces and dental aligners, such as our ‘Six Month Smiles’ programme. Treatment of this sort is largely favoured by young adults and teenagers over conventional orthodontic methods such as typical fused metal ‘train-track’ braces – which are often uncomfortable as well as largely detrimental to the patient’s outward appearance. The primary reason for the popularity of cosmetic dental alignment over conventional methods is that they are virtually invisible when worn, and can often be removable. Thus patients can undertake essential dental realignment without attracting any unwanted attention from peers or colleagues, as well as the removable nature of the treatment affording them the ability to carry out treatment at a time convenient to them – such as when sleeping or at home.

Squeaky-clean feeling

Another particularly popular cosmetic dental service we offer here at Craigentinny Dental Care is our range of treatments offered by our dental hygienist in Edinburgh. Treatments of this sort are used to eradicate any superficial stains on a patient’s teeth which have come about through drinking red wine, coffee, smoking or just general neglect. Through the implementation of specialist equipment, our friendly team of three in-house dental hygienists in Edinburgh can help reverse years of damage to teeth in a matter of minutes. Here at Craigentinny Dental Care we understand a healthy smile is paramount to a healthy lifestyle and that if a patient has teeth which are stained and discoloured it can have a largely negative effect on their social lives as well as overall happiness. By undertaking our scale and polish services however, patients can walk away from our practice with a squeaky-clean feeling, healthy mouth, and a bright smile to match.

Sedation dentistry

At Craigentinny Dental Care we understand that the dentists can be a trying and stressful experience for many of us, and we do our best to make the process as painless and calming as possible. However, for the more severe cases of dental anxiety, we offer sedation dentistry whereby a sedative is intravenously administered to the patient to calm them down and allow the procedure to be carried out smoothly. Patients seeking intravenous dental sedation must initially fill out a brief medical history form to ensure that they are safe and able to undergo the procedure, as well as a consultation that covers the procedure in detail so the patient can feel comfortable. Treatment of this sort can be massively beneficial to those who suffer severe dental anxiety, yet still require treatment.

At Craigentinny Dental Care for the past 25 years we have devoted ourselves to providing the residents of Edinburgh with a bespoke, tailored dental experience like no other. It is our goal to provide the Edinburgh community with a dental service that caters to the specific needs and requirements of each individual patient, rather than adopting the one-size-fits-all approach that has become common practice in numerous dental surgeries across the country. As can be seen from our many testimonials, we feel we have achieved exactly that, and are committed to continuing to do so for many years to come. Treatment here at Craigentinny Dental Care is only carried out after lengthy, friendly, informal consultations between patient and practitioner – during which time a relationship based on trust and understanding is formed, and the details of any process the patient may undertake are explained.

Good as new

A particularly popular treatment here at Craigentinny Dental Care is the treatment we provide from our dental hygienists in Edinburgh.Treatments of this nature are a cosmetic response to visible, superficial signs of deterioration on a patient’s teeth that have come about from smoking, drinking coffee, tea or red wine, or any other signs of neglect. At Craigentinny, we understand that a clean and healthy smile is imperative to a clean and happy lifestyle. By undertaking our power-cleaning scale and polish service, patients can walk away with a fresh, clean feeling mouth instantly. This helps to restore smiles and self-confidence as well as halting any risk of further detrimental damage to the patient’s teeth, gums or surrounding area coming about through neglect. We currently have three highly skilled and fully qualified dental hygienists in Edinburgh working in-house, each selected for their unique set of skills and expertise, who are happy to consult with patients on basic home remedies and tips on how to maintain a healthy mouth.

Hidden orthodontics

We also offer a range of cosmetic dental alignment procedures, such as our ‘Six Month Smiles’ programme. Unlike conventional orthodontics, which are typically metal, clearly visible and are worn for over a year – our ‘Six Month Smiles’ procedure utilises discreet orthodontic methods and clear plastic aligners, and are only worn for up to six months. Treatment of this description is generally favoured by teenagers and young adults as the brackets of the braces are colour matched to the patient’s surrounding teeth and as such when worn they are almost invisible. 

Combating dental anxiety

At Craigentinny Dental Care, we understand that visiting the dentist can be a stressful time for some people, and for those of you who suffer varying degrees of anxiety, we offer a course of sedation dentistry whereby a mild sedative is administered intravenously which calms the patient down and allows for dental work to be carried out smoothly. Before undertaking sedation dentistry, the patient and a practitioner of their choosing would first discuss the details of the process, and provide them with short medical history form to prevent any complications from arising.

A dental hygienist is the right hand of a dentist since they are in charge of providing hygiene work on patients. Dental hygienists are also trained to provide minor dental work on patients and are in charge of removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums. Last but not least, dental hygienists provide patients with helpful tips and instructions on how to take good care of their teeth and gums.

At Craigentinny, dentists and dental hygienists work closely to provide high-quality services to our patients. Your dental hygienist in Edinburgh is in a way a second pair of hands for the dentist.

What are the main responsibilities of a dental hygienist in Edinburgh?

Dental hygienists are in charge of the process known as a ‘clean and polish’ which involves cleaning teeth of plaque, tartar (hardened plaque) and stains with the help of special tools. However, our dental hygienists will also examine your teeth and gums thoroughly to ensure that you do not suffer from gum disease and tooth decay. Moreover, they will look for abnormal nodules in your oral cavity.

Your dental hygienist in Edinburgh is responsible for documenting and reporting all their findings to the dentist. They can also provide local anaesthesia to patients when needed (provided they are sufficiently trained), and our hygienists are also trained in taking dental impressions. With this range of services on offer, you can see that they are an important part of our dental team.

Our dental hygienists are also in charge of providing our patients with information on dental and oral hygiene. Your dental hygienist in Edinburgh will show you all the right ways to brush and floss your teeth and will warn you of the consequences of poor oral hygiene. If you want to learn more about smoking cessation, your dental hygienist in Edinburgh is the person you should direct your questions. They can even offer advice on the ways in which your diet can affect your dental health, and adjustments you can make to improve it.

Want to learn more about our dental hygiene services? Don’t hesitate to call our friendly team at Craigentinny today.

At Craigentinny dental practice, we have a large team of dedicated professional standing by to assist with your oral care. This includes dentists, dental hygienists, dental nurses and a dental therapist. We also have our friendly receptionists who take care of all of the admin related to your appointments and records. They help to create a welcoming environment that helps you relax the minute you arrive.

Who will you see?

When you have your oral care at Craigentinny, you will generally be assigned a dentist who you will see at your regular check-ups. Sometimes, you may be referred to another member of our team for specific issues. You are likely to see the dental hygienist in Edinburgh for cleaning, polishing and preventive measures. Some members of our dental hygiene team are also qualified to take impressions and administer anaesthesia.

Is the dental hygienist in Edinburgh less qualified that then dentist?

It is true that a dentist studies for longer in order to gain their qualification than a dental hygienist. However, many dental hygienists continue to add to their skills as they work and some even work independently of dentists. They are also focused on specific areas of dentistry which they work with every day. When you come to Craigentinny, you are effectively being looked after by the whole team. Whether you are seeing the dentist, a dental therapist or a dental hygienist in Edinburgh, you will get continuity of care and a shared pool of knowledge.

What does a typical visit to the dental hygienist involve?

The main goal of the dental hygienist is to ensure that you leave your appointment feeling fresh, clean and well looked after. This usually involves the removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth followed by a polish.

The dental hygienist will also be able to give you care advice to combat any issues that they find or that you experience regularly. This might include oral hygiene tips, dietary advice or smoking cessation support.

If you like, they can also talk to you about preventive care such as fluoride applications. These are designed to prevent minor issues with your teeth developing and turning into bigger problems over time.