Getting Hygienist Treatment in South Kensington

Getting hygienist treatment in South Kensington is an important part of maintaining your oral hygiene. You are probably already familiar with what hygienists do because you no doubt have seen one at practically every visit to a dentist's office you've ever made. In this article some common questions about hygienists will be answered for you.

One of the most common questions people have about getting hygienist treatment in Kensington is what does a hygienist do? Dental hygienists are specially trained to assist dentists in treating patients. They play an important role in maintaining oral care and are mainly concerned with gum health and teaching patients how to best take care of their teeth and gums at home by preventing plaque build-up. The primary role of the hygienist is to professionally clean the patient's teeth. This is known as "scaling" and "polishing." Hygienists may also give guidance on diet and preventing dental decay. Some dental hygienists are able to take dental x-rays now.  Any hygienists that take x-rays will have had specialised training and  will be in possession of an x-ray technician certification. If, for example, the dentist suggests that you have sealants put on the deep pockets of your molars, he or she may have the hygienist perform this task. Lastly, hygienists work with dentists and dental specialists to provide care tailored to the patient's needs.

While not every dental practice in South Kensington has a hygienist on duty, it will be rare to find an office without one. Because hygienists can now work alone when a dentist is taking the day off, patients can get even better care.  Although hygienists assist dentists, do not discount the importance of the services they provide. Timely professional cleanings combined with following the hygienist's guidance at home can turn around gum disease and give your teeth and gums longevity. A clean and healthy mouth can improve your appearance, give you better breath, and boost the wellness of your entire body.

You might be wondering why dentists don't just do this type of work themselves. While a few dentists do perform this type of work, most recognise that the hygienist has been specially trained at taking care of scaling and polishing. Furthermore, hygienists typically have more time to spend with patients. It is not uncommon for a hygienist to spend a number of appointments getting the patient's gums healthy, readying them for the dentist to do crowns or fillings. Also, by unbundling these services, the end cost is much lower. By having the dentist perform only the specialty tasks they have been trained to do, the dental office tends to run more efficiently for the patient and the dentist.

If you are looking to get hygienist treatment from a dentist in South Kensington , you might also be wondering if the treatment will hurt and how much it will cost. Scaling and polishing is generally painless. If, for some reason, you do have discomfort while the hygienist is cleaning your teeth, he or she can use anaesthetic creams or give you a local anaesthetic. If you are feeling discomfort, let the hygienist know right away.  In terms of the price, the cost of hygienist treatment varies according to what was done and the practice.  If it's important to you, find out the cost before you start by getting a written quotation. Most dental offices have a price list giving a guide to their prices.