What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?

You may not think about it often, but dental hygienists play a critical role in the dentist’s office. Hygienists are certified dental professionals who work alongside dentists to help patients maintain optimal oral health and prevent cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Below is more information about what dental hygienists do and the important role they play in your dental care.

What Is a Dental Hygienist?

A dental hygienist, often called an oral hygienist, is a trained and licensed oral health professional who works with your dentist and their team to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Dental hygienists play a central role in patient care, providing professional dental cleanings, preventive care treatments, and oral hygiene education to help patients maintain long-term optimal oral health.

What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?

Dental hygienists perform a wide range of oral health procedures and preventive dental treatments, including:

1. Dental and medical history review: Most routine dental appointments begin with a conversation about your dental and overall health history. This discussion may seem simple, but it is an important step that helps your oral health care team better understand your past dental experiences, current concerns, and future goals.
2. Oral health screenings: At the beginning of each appointment, the hygienist will perform an oral health screening. During this screening, they examine your teeth for cavities and alignment issues, check your gums for signs of recession or inflammation, and look for potential signs of oral cancer. These screenings help the hygienist and dentist identify issues early, before they become more serious.
3. Dental cleanings: A primary responsibility of a dental hygienist is performing professional dental cleanings. During this procedure, the hygienist uses specialized instruments to remove the plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth. They will also polish your teeth, leaving a smooth surface that makes it harder for plaque and tartar to accumulate. While these cleanings may seem cosmetic, they are essential to preventing cavities and gum disease.
4. Dental X-rays: Approximately once a year, or during new patient visits, the hygienist may take dental X-rays to help your care team see areas that are not visible during a routine exam. X-rays provide a clearer view of the teeth roots, jawbone, sinuses, nerves, and surrounding structures. This allows your dentist to identify issues such as bone loss, tooth decay, infections, or other concerns.
5. Preventative Care: The hygienist often provides preventive treatments that help protect the teeth from decay, including dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Dental sealants are protective coatings applied to your back teeth, where deep grooves can trap plaque, food particles, and bacteria. Sealants create a shield that helps prevent cavities. Topical fluoride treatments are often applied after a cleaning to strengthen the enamel layer on the teeth.
6. Oral hygiene education: Professional dental cleanings are important, but maintaining good oral health also depends on your daily habits at home. Dental hygienists play an important role in teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques to help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. This personalized guidance helps patients maintain consistent oral hygiene routines at home between dental visits.

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