Treatments

Treatments > Hygienist services

Delivered by Brona McDaniel and Donna Dunleavy who are trained to provide educational and clinical dental care.

Plaque, which is that sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth, causes gum disease and also tooth decay. Therefore if you remove that plaque effectively, most gum disease and tooth decay will be prevented and good dental hygiene is the key to achieving this.

Gum disease

Periodontal (gum) disease occurs when the gum tissues and bones that hold the teeth in place deteriorate. It is the most common chronic disease in the world. The symptoms of gum disease include bleeding gums, persistent bad breath and taste and loosening teeth. If left untreated it will result in tooth loss.

Periodontal disease can be similar to medical conditions like high blood pressure or anaemia, as it can be present without the person's knowledge and can become serious without many outward symptoms.

It is particularly important that we check your gum health regularly if you fall into any of the following categories.

• If you smoke and drink alcohol – particularly if you both smoke and drink
• If you have a specific severe life stress – such as bereavement, redundancy or divorce
• If you are overweight
• If you have heart or lung problems, or diabetes
• If members of your family have or have suffered heart problems, osteoarthritis or alzheimers
• If other members of your household have periodontal disease.
• If you are pregnant

We know that these risks, together with gum inflammation, have been linked with serious general health problems in later life and so it is imperative that the plaque in your mouth is controlled.

What will our dental hygienists do for you?

Brona and Aisling will teach you the correct oral hygiene techniques-individually tailored to your specific needs. This will ensure that you are getting maximum benefit out of your home care routine, controlling the plaque that will cause gum disease and tooth decay. This is especially important if you have crowns, bridges, dentures, implants or braces. They will remove any hard plaque that has been allowed to build up in your mouth and they will share their skills, tips and techniques for helping you to control plaque every day at home. This will help you to keep your teeth for life, which with care and diligence on your part is perfectly achievable.

They can also help you to prevent or deal with bad breath.

They will teach your children the correct techniques and dietary habits to start them on the road to excellent dental health.

Click here to visit the Gum Smart website