How Seeing a Dental Hygienist Can Help with Stain Removal and Your Overall Dental Health?

Dental stains are one of the most common concerns of people, worldwide, impacting overall smile aesthetics and confidence. While there are several dental whitening products available commercially to remove stains from the enamel along with regular oral hygiene maintenance, it is important to consult a good dental hygienist. In this blog, we will explain how private dental hygienists in London help restore the natural colour of your teeth. Read on until the end.

What are teeth stains?

Before we discuss the significance of regular visits to a dental hygienist in minimising teeth stains, it is important to understand what they are. Teeth can get stained for a wide number of causes, and are typically classified into two main types:

• Extrinsic stains: These appear over the enamel, the outermost layer of the teeth, and are caused due to poor dietary practices and improper oral hygiene habits. In most cases, the mail culprits are coffee, tea, red wine, and unhealthy practices like smoking, high alcohol consumption, etc. However, the good news is that these stains can easily be completely eliminated through a professional grade whitening treatment.
• Intrinsic stains: These dental stains occur within the tooth structure; most of which result out from factors such as, ageing, medicinal side effects, etc. Sometimes, excessive fluoride treatment also leads to the formation of intrinsic stains. One requires additional teeth whitening treatments to remove such stains.

The role of a dental hygienist in dental stain removal

A dental hygienist is a board-certified oral healthcare professional who focuses on preventive measures to protect dental health and educate patients on good oral hygiene maintenance. They associate closely with dentists to keep your teeth clean, and manage gum health.

Two of the best and most common treatments performed by a dental hygienist to tackle surface stains are root scaling and polishing. These are highly sophisticated dental treatments that remove accumulated plaque and tartar from the enamel and smoothen it to remove minor discolourations.

Apart from scaling and polishing, a dental hygienist uses an advanced method known as airflow stain removal. This is a technique that utilises a fine stream of air water and a special cleansing powder to remove obstinate stains from your teeth’s enamel. Contrary to the conventional dental polishing methods, airflow is highly beneficial for eliminating stains caused by foods and smoking. And the best part is that it provides immediate visible results with minimal discomfort and damage to the dental surface.

Understanding stain removal vs. teeth whitening

Most of you might mix up between stain removal and teeth whitening, and that is very normal. While a dental hygienist can superficially remove the enamel stains and improve the aesthetics of your smile, stain removal does not involve any chemical intervention to lighten the overall shade of your teeth. In contrast to this, teeth whitening is a procedure that uses chemical agents on the enamel to target the stains. A specific chemical reagent known as hydrogen peroxide is used in the process which penetrates deep into the enamel to restore the original colour of the teeth.

Can I really benefit from a professional stain removal process?

Professional stain removal process is beneficial for individuals who are currently experiencing severe external teeth discolouration caused due to poor dietary habits, smoking, and inadequate oral hygiene maintenance. With regular dental cleaning procedures, it is possible to significantly minimise the stains and brighten up your smile in the best way. Feel free to book any of your locally available private dental hygienists in London if you have developed yellowish or brownish stains and are unable to remove them by brushing alone.

(Note: In case you have any dental restorative works done over your teeth, such as, crowns, veneers, fillings, etc., it is good idea to consult once with your personal dental hygienist before undergoing stain removal treatments. He can guide you regarding the most suitable cleaning methods for the type of material you have worn. Also, if there are any available alternative approaches, he can discuss them, too.)

How do I prevent future stains?

Maintaining proper oral hygiene is a topmost priority while it comes to prevention of future dental stains. It is a way to stop stains from coming in the first place. Here is a list of few common guidelines that can preserve your smile in the long run:

• Brush at least two times a day with fluoride-based toothpaste. This will protect your enamel and minimise plaque build-up.
• Floss regularly especially after having main meals. It helps eliminate stuck food debris in between the teeth.
• Cut down on the foods and rinks that can potentially cause your teeth to get stained. For example, coffee, tea, red wine, spicy curries, etc. Even if you are consuming any such dark-coloured liquids, use a straw to minimise the contact of the item with your enamel.
• Attend your dental hygienist appointments without fail. They can manage the early signs of dental staining before they even become severe and deep-rooted.

Start making these small changes from now on and keep your teeth healthy and stain-free for over long periods. After all, prevention is better than cure!

Does stain removal give pain?

Numerous patients are concerned about the pain experienced during professional cleaning. You can be confident that stain removal procedures, like airflow polishing, are usually painless and well-accepted, even by individuals with sensitive teeth. However, if the dentine is exposed or you have gum recession, you could feel slight sensitivity throughout the procedure. In such cases, your hygienist may suggest desensitising toothpaste or modify the method to make sure you're at ease.

How frequently should you seek stain removal services?

The frequency of stain removal procedures varies based on your personal needs and lifestyle behaviour. Individuals who often drink stain-inducing liquids or smoke might require more regular cleanings to preserve a white smile. Typically, we advise seeing a dental hygienist at least twice a year to maintain excellent oral health and prevent stains.

Conclusion

A dental hygienist, such as Jack Button at South Kensington MD, can efficiently eliminate extrinsic stains through professional cleaning techniques, including scaling and polishing or airflow stain elimination. Although these treatments don’t whiten teeth in the manner of bleaching/whitening methods, they can greatly enhance the look of your smile and oral health. By maintaining regular care, practicing proper oral hygiene, and scheduling professional cleanings, you can ensure your teeth remain bright and in good condition. If blemishes are impacting your self-assurance, a trip to a hygienist like Jack Button could be the answer you’ve been seeking.