What to Expect From Your Dental Hygienist

Did you know that April 11th through the 17th is dental hygienist week? In honor of this week that celebrates this noble and necessary profession, we’d love to show you a few details about their important job. At Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our dental hygienists are vital members of our team that do very skilled work with our youngest patients. In pediatric dentistry, the temperament, care, and kindness that these dental hygienists need to show can make all the difference in the world for the experience a child has at Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, and for their parents as well.

Experiencing a regular cleaning, childhood tooth extraction, or braces can be an intense experience for a little one or teen. Luckily, we have the most skilled dental hygienists here in the Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry office. Let’s look at what you can expect from a dental hygienist when you bring your child to a pediatric dentist, like ours, to keep their teeth and mouth healthy.

Dental X-Rays 

In pediatric dentistry, one of the most important parts of a child’s visit is the x-rays. The dental hygienist will complete this step with your child. The purpose of the x-rays will allow the pediatric dentist to see how the child’s mouth is developing and growing. Plus, it can also show where cavities and decay are occurring in permanent or baby teeth.  The skill and compassion that a pediatric dental hygienist is able to convey during this process, can make the experience much better for the child and their parents to go through.

Routine Teeth Cleanings

Routine cleanings for children are such an important part of dental health. The dental hygienist will perform this task with quick expertise. It will include the removal of plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth with a dental scaler. Children can be a little fidgety during a cleaning, but our hygienists will do their best to keep the child calm and entertained while it’s happening. This is definitely where the amazing personalities of our dental hygienists shine at Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics.

A Dental Assistant Assists During Procedures

The dental assistant assists in setting up and helps out during procedures that the dentist needs to perform. Some of these services can include the filling of teeth when there are cavities present, childhood tooth extractions, and putting on braces. They are there to make sure that the process goes smoothly, and the dentist can complete the tasks with everything they need.

Educating Kids and Parents on Healthy Dental Habits

One of the most important parts of a dental hygienist’s job is to educate parents and children on the proper tooth and gum care. It’s about so much more than just brushing the teeth. It can include healthy diet education like foods, candy, or gum to avoid.

The dental hygienist will be able to answer any questions a parent or child has about taking care of their teeth, how to avoid cavities, and the dental care services they may need. This is a time in a child’s life that starts as early as one-year-old when they come in for their first exam and cleaning of those tiny baby teeth. Getting them used to coming to our office is going to go a long way in their comfort level. The dental hygienist is a touch point for each patient because they will look forward to seeing their smiling faces each time they come in for an appointment.

We Value All of Our Dental Hygienists

At Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we highly value all of the exceptional work our dental hygienists do for our practice. We couldn’t do such a great job for our pediatric patients without them. Feel free to contact us to make an appointment for all of your child’s dental and orthodontic needs. And if you know any dental hygienists or come to our practice during the month of April, make sure you wish them a happy National Dental Hygienists Week!