Do your gums bleed when you brush? Do you have gingivitis? Our hygienist at Craigentinny can help

If you are like the majority of people, you may assume that maintaining a healthy smile involves attending biannual check-ups, brushing your teeth twice a day and avoiding sugary foods.

Of course, these are all important parts of keeping your smile healthy, but as we age or go through other changes like pregnancy or illness, we may need a bit more help to keep our teeth looking pearly white and healthy.

While many dental patients find switching to a stronger toothpaste helpful, in many instances, this is not enough to keep their oral health in top shape and so, many people find themselves turning to our team at Craigentinny for more advice.

Luckily, at Craigentinny, we have an onsite dental hygienist in Edinburgh, who can help you maintain good oral health, regardless of what life has thrown at you! If you are pregnant, undertaking treatment with a strong medication or simply have a family history of gum disease, our team can help!

How exactly does our dental hygienist in Edinburgh do this? How are they different from other members of our dental team? Read on to find out!

Scale and polish

One of the most common procedures that our dental hygienist in Edinburgh performs on our patients is the scale and polish.

Designed to remove tartar and plaque below the gumline, this treatment reduces the risk of periodontal disease like gingivitis and, if you already have gum disease, it is one of the first steps in the treatment process.

Once the plaque is removed, using a specialised brush, our hygienist will gently polish your teeth, to make them look whiter and healthier. Perfect!

Prescription mouthwash and toothpaste

There are many reasons for our patients at Craigentinny to need prescription-strength toothpaste and mouthwash.

One of the most common involves acid erosion of the enamel, caused by pregnancy or even medical treatments like chemotherapy. As pregnant women often experience morning sickness, this causes excessive levels of acid to come into contact with the teeth. In order to prevent acid damage, a prescribed toothpaste or mouthwash can help neutralise the acid and protect the teeth. An associated treatment that our hygienists perform may also involve painting fluoride sealant onto the teeth, to boost the strength of the enamel.

Treatment plans

If you have gum disease, are pregnant or are currently taking a medication that may weaken your enamel, (such as immunosuppressants), then you are going to need a specialised dental plan.

Devised by both our hygienists and regular dental team, these customised plans will endeavour to keep your teeth and gums in the best of health, and will prevent issues such as gum disease, tooth decay or even tooth loss! As part of drawing up your plan, our hygienist may need to take X-rays of your teeth, to help explore issues such as jawbone loss or gum disease in more depth.

Remember, brushing and flossing alone are rarely enough to keep your teeth healthy! Book an appointment to see our dental hygienist today!