We understand that a visit to the dental hygienist can be scary for some people.
Just the thought of a dentist’s drill can be enough to stop someone from coming until they are in agony and can put it off no longer.
Ironically, the more often you visit us, the less likely you’ll need the drill!
Prevention is way better than cure
Putting off going to the dentist is the worst thing you can do, even if you brush your teeth twice a day.
Plaque will build up over time, and brushing, while essential for oral hygiene, can only do so much to remove it.
Your teeth need a proper clean and polish, and only a visit to a dental hygienist can do that.
It’s like looking after a car; regular servicing will fix and prevent small problems before they grow into catastrophic ones.
By avoiding the dentist, you’re only setting yourself up for a dental disaster down the line.
Keeping on top of your oral hygiene will stop plaque from building up, causing real, long-term damage.
A dental hygienist is different from a dentist
Although the two work closely together, a dentist will treat problems, whereas a hygienist will focus on preventing them in the first place.
A visit to the hygienist will involve an assessment of your gums and jaw bone, followed by a scale and polish.
It is this scale and polish which is essential to preventing tooth decay. The hygienist will scrape away the built-up plaque, calculus, and bacteria that forms on your teeth, stopping it from spreading and eating away at your enamel.
To finish off, the hygienist will usually show you how to keep your teeth and gums healthy with a demonstration of brushing and flossing techniques.
Catching problems before things turn bad
To avoid serious dental work later in life, regular trips to a dental hygienist can help catch and fix problems before they have a chance to escalate.
Gum disease is a serious issue in Australia, with 1 in 25 people not having any teeth at all in this country. Thankfully, gum disease is preventable, and regular check-ups can prevent it from happening before things turn really bad.
Basic oral hygiene like brushing or using mouthwash is just that – basic.
A visit to the dental hygienist for a proper clean and scale will help get rid of the bacteria in all those hard to reach places. This in turn not only prevents tooth decay, fillings, and infections, but also cuts down on less permanent problems, such as bad breath.
Meet Kate Scouller, SDAI’s dental hygienist
Kate Scouller is our resident Hygienist here at SDAI.
A graduate of Newcastle University, where she completed a Bachelor of Oral Health Degree, Katie is an easy natured person who loves to chat about what you’re doing and where you’ve been in the world.
Before working as a dental hygienist, Katie completed her Certificate III in Dental Assisting and worked as a dental assistant for seven years in Deniliquin, Port Macquarie and in London.
Katie has a lot of experience in many areas of dentistry, having worked with general dentists, endodontists, periodontists, orthodontists, oral and maxilla facial surgeons and prosthodontists.
Like everyone here at SDAI, Katie will do everything she can to relax a nervous patient. She strongly believes that with the right approach, everyone can be relaxed in a dentist’s chair.
A testament to her own professionalism, Katie is in continuous educational development, attending multiple seminars, lectures, and symposiums each year.
Being all about positive reinforcement, she understands that the more educated you are about a procedure, the more relaxed you will be during it.
Patient comfort is our focus at dental hygienist appointments
There’s no other dental practice in Sydney which focuses on patient comfort more than SDAI.
From the moment you walk in through the door, through to any follow-up appointments, our aim is to make you feel relaxed and calm.
No matter if you’re in for a check-up or a root canal, we will guide you each step of the way, explaining exactly what’s going on, and why there’s nothing to worry about.
When it comes to dental hygienists, they don’t come any better than Katie.
Her friendly, relaxed manner will put you at ease from the moment you meet her.
She’ll have a good look at your mouth and teeth, explain what needs to be done, and how to do it.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see Katie, please contact us today.