At each examination your Dentist will check the health of your gums and note any conditions that are present.
Any problems will be shown to you and recommendations will be given.
If there is significant tartar (calculus) present or you have bleeding gums, you will be referred to the Hygienist.

Our hygienists work towards providing preventive treatment for their patients which allows them to have the best possible oral health.

Your dentist can remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, however it is more cost effective to see the hygienist.  Also the hygienist is able to spend a lot more time with individuals educating them on their own periodontal condition and periodontal disease in general.

Tailor-made oral hygiene instruction is demonstrated in detail, which enables you to help prevent the development and/or progression of periodontal disease at home.

Gum disease is diagnosed through a process that measures the depth of the pockets around each tooth. Pockets that are greater than 3 millimetres in depth are considered hazardous and will generally require treatment.

The early detection and prevention of gum disease is another reason to see your dentist and hygienist regularly.

Gum disease is treated by carefully removing the bacteria and substances that form in the pockets around the teeth. The removal of this material occurs on a microscopic level and requires great skill. Our dental team has had advanced training regarding how to effectively remove the offending bacteria.

This process of removing the bacteria sometimes requires more than one visit to our practice. Once the bacteria has been removed, the pockets must be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis by a dental hygienist. Otherwise, the bacteria will return.

Keeping your teeth for life requires careful home care plus regular dental monitoring and preventive care. The Dental Hygienist is not simply a cleaner of teeth, but a personal health coach and educator, helping our patients stay healthy and get the longest service out of the great restorative treatments we deliver. They provide knowledge to enable you to recognise changes in your own gum health and to have the best methods of home care.