Who is a Dental Hygienist? Let's find out exactly what this is!

When you go to the dentist for a teeth cleaning (scaling), have you ever seen someone besides the dentist cleaning your teeth? Sometimes the dentist will examine you and then hand over the cleaning to someone else. That person is what we call a 'Dental Hygienist ' . But many people think that all they do is clean your teeth. But in reality, their role goes much further than that. Let's take a look at how important they are to your oral health.

What are the main duties of a Dental Hygienist?

Simply put, a Dental Hygienist is a professional who is specially trained to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. They work alongside your Dentist. These are some of their main duties.

• Dental Cleanings: This is their main and most familiar task. They use special instruments to remove the yellow plaque and tartar that build up on your teeth. If you don't remove these things that your toothbrush can't remove at home, tooth decay and gum disease will occur. Then they will polish your teeth using a special paste and a rubber cup.

• Deep Cleaning (Tooth Scaling and Root Planing): Sometimes plaque and tartar build up under your gums, in places your toothbrush can't reach. This is a deeper cleaning. It removes these things below the gums and smooths the surface of the tooth roots. This reduces the risk of plaque and tartar building up again.

• Dental X-rays: Your doctor will need X-rays to get a clear picture of your teeth, the jawbone, nerves, and surrounding structures. These can also be done by a Dental Hygienist.

• Administering Local Anesthesia: Some treatments require you to numb your mouth so that you don't feel any pain. In some countries, Dental Hygienists are licensed and trained to administer this local anesthesia . In Sri Lanka, this task is usually performed by the dentist himself.

• Oral Health Screenings: While they clean your teeth, they also check for things like tooth decay, gum disease, and early signs of oral cancer. If they see anything, they'll let your doctor know. This helps them catch problems before they get worse.

• Talking about your health history:They will ask you about your previous dental experience, any other medical conditions you have (e.g. diabetes, heart disease), and any medications you take. This information is very important to provide you with the best treatment.

• Dental Sealants: Our big back teeth (molars) have deep grooves. These are where food gets stuck, bacteria accumulate, and tooth decay occurs. Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating that is applied over these grooves. This seals the grooves and stops food from getting stuck. This is especially common in young children.

• Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the enamel on the outside of the tooth. This treatment reduces the risk of tooth decay.

• Teaching you how to brush your teeth properly: This is very important. Just having your teeth professionally cleaned is not enough. You need to take proper care of your teeth at home. A dental hygienist will teach you the right way to brush your teeth and floss. Imagine you have a dental bridge . They will teach you special ways to clean under it. Or if you have dental implants , they will advise you on the best brushes and products to use to clean them.

What is the difference between a Dental Hygienist, Dentist and Dental Assistant?

Many people confuse these three. Their roles are clearly different. Let's easily understand the difference from this table.

So, the role of a Dental Hygienist is very important in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. No matter how well we brush our teeth at home, there are places that our toothbrush cannot reach. They help remove plaque and tartar that build up in those places, preventing tooth decay. So, the next time you visit your dentist, don't forget to get a thorough cleaning from a Dental Hygienist. Doing this at least twice a year is a great investment in your oral health.