Hygiene Department
01.
Why does Hartwell have a Hygiene Department?
What Does the Hygiene Department do at Hartwell?
Prevention is at the heart of everything we do. All dental disease — from decay to gum problems — is driven by bacteria and viruses. An imbalance in your mouth’s microbes, called oral dysbiosis, is a lot like a leaky gut: it can create problems if left unchecked.
Our Hygiene Department is dedicated to preventing disease by understanding and managing these microbes. By keeping your oral bacteria in balance, we help you stay healthy and set you up for a lifetime of strong teeth and gums.
What's Difference Between a Dentist and a Hygienist or Oral Health Therapist?
The difference between a dentist and a hygienist, is that hygienists focus on providing patients with preventative care to minimise the need for dental procedures in the future. Our hygienists focus on minimising the effect that harmful oral bacteria can have on your teeth and body through specialised equipment and their invaluable experience.
Oral Health Therapist have a broader scope of practice, and can perform some restorative treatments and extractions for younger patients.
How Often Do I Need To Have Hygiene Appointments?
Our Hygiene department will recommend a schedule based on a thorough assessment of your gum health, which most often involves the use of a gum map. A gum map involves the measuring of periodontal pockets.
What Can I Expect From My First Appointment?
During your first hygiene appointment, your clinician will thoroughly analyse your current gum health through tools such as x-rays, gum maps and an intra-oral camera. They will debride plaque and calculus, and flag any possible issues for our dentists to follow up on in the future.
More About Oral Hygiene
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by an imbalance of bacteria and viruses in the mouth. When harmful microbes build up, they trigger inflammation — not only in the mouth but also throughout the body. This inflammation dissolves the bone supporting your teeth, leading to tooth movement and, if left untreated, tooth loss.
Why do I need to take X rays?
What Role does Bacteria Play in Gum Disease?
Bacteria — often living alongside viruses — gather around the gums and trigger inflammation. Over time, this inflammation dissolves the bone that supports your teeth. This is the key process behind gum disease and, if left untreated, can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Does Gum Disease Affect the Whole Body?
Yes. Gum disease doesn’t just stay in your mouth — the bacteria and inflammation it causes can spread through the body. Research, has linked gum disease to a range of systemic conditions such as:
Heart disease and stroke – oral bacteria can contribute to inflammation in blood vessels.
Diabetes – gum inflammation can make blood sugar levels harder to control.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease – bacteria from the mouth have been found in brain tissue, suggesting they may cross the blood–brain barrier.
Respiratory disease – inhaled bacteria can affect the lungs.
Pregnancy complications – gum infections are associated with preterm birth and low birth weight.
Certain cancers -more predisposed.
These bacteria also interfere with the body’s nitric oxide metabolism, which is important for healthy blood flow and overall wellness.
Keeping your gums healthy supports not just your teeth — but your entire body.
Whats the Difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. It occurs when plaque bacteria build up around the gumline, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding. At this stage, the damage is limited to the gums and is completely reversible with good oral hygiene and professional care.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. In periodontitis, bacteria and inflammation spread deeper under the gums, affecting the bone and supporting structures of the teeth. This inflammation can dissolve the bone, leading to gum recession, tooth movement, and eventually tooth loss.
Because periodontitis causes a stronger and more widespread inflammatory response, it can also affect the whole body, contributing to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic issues.
