Dental hygienist appointments in Konstanz & Bietingen
We can help you to improve your oral hygiene. As part of our preventative, continuous treatments, we offer our patients dental hygienist appointments (for professional teeth cleaning). We offer courses on dental hygiene as well as special consulting hours (e.g. for halitosis, or “bad breath”) as part of our holistic approach.
Nowadays, nothing can stand in your way when it comes to achieving life-long oral health. Regular dental hygienist appointments are very effective and can be booked online via our dental hygiene page.
Using the dental hygienist to achieve life-long dental health
Achieve a rejuvenated look with healthy teeth and gums. This is just what dental hygienist appointments can help you to achieve! The sooner you start attending regular dental hygiene appointments, the less risk you have of developing tooth decay or periodontal disease, for example.
Our staff will even help you to practice the cleaning techniques you use at home during the dental hygienist appointments.
The causes of dental diseases
Dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease are by far the most common dental diseases. The causes for both of these diseases are one and the same: the layer of invading bacteria (biofilm) that forms on the tooth. If we can successfully remove and permanently keep these bacteria at bay then the teeth will never become diseased.
Due to the natural shape of our teeth, they are not very easy to keep clean. There are lots of corners and tight spaces that can be difficult to reach with a toothbrush.
This is the reason why it is not always possible to achieve the best levels of oral hygiene using conventional means. On this basis, we offer our patients a professional tooth cleaning appointment as part of the dental hygiene appointment. This involves intensive cleaning of your teeth using cleaning technologies which can achieve a result far beyond what can be managed by yourself at home.
Comprehensive techniques to meet the highest demands
Over the 40 years since our practices were set up, we have been developing a treatment and care program for all patient ages. We are constantly improving this program to adapt to new, cutting-edge expertise and technologies from the field.
A dental hygienist appointment involves the following essential elements:
- Thorough examination of your teeth at the beginning of the session.
- Removal of hard deposits (plaque and tartar) on the tooth surfaces, in the spaces between teeth, and in the gingival crevices (pockets within the gums) using specialised instruments, as well as removal of stubborn tooth discolouration using an air-flow powder jet device.
- Teeth are polished, as bacteria take hold more quickly on rougher surfaces.
- A special fluoride varnish is applied to protect the enamel from acids.
- At the end of the session, we provide an in-depth explanation and demonstration of the day-to-day oral hygiene techniques you should be using.
Additional treatments for perfect maintenance treatment
In the case of a gum disease (periodontal disease), a sample will be taken of the secretions in the gingival crevices (small pockets in the gums) for bacterial gene analysis. With these tests, we can determine the type of bacteria involved and select the best medicine to treat the harmful germs.
We also take a sample in the case of dental caries (tooth decay), this time just a sample of saliva, which we can use to determine the bacteria contained in the caries, mineral content, saliva quantity and biochemical protection against acids. Additionally, the preventative care assistant will explain exactly which products you should be using to care for your teeth, and how to use these with the right technique.
In the case of particularly deep fissures in the teeth or deep grooves on the surface of the tooth, it may be beneficial to seal these up, as sealed teeth are less susceptible to tooth decay.
The professional tooth cleaning sessions should be repeated around three times per year to guarantee the long-term health and beauty of your teeth.
„The Dr. Hager Dental Practices apply a treatment approach in which dental hygiene is placed at the centre of oral health. Professional tooth cleaning forms a solid basis for life-long vitality of teeth and gums. That’s why our team of dental hygienists here at the Dr. Hager Dental Practice are delighted to be able to offer our patients a treatment approach that has been thought-out down to the last detail.“
Nicole, Dental Hygienist at the Dr. Hager Dental Practice
Get rid of bad breath for good
Bad Breath (halitosis) is still a taboo subject. It is embarrassing for us to talk about. Unfortunately, this is the reason why others will rarely let us know that we are suffering from this issue. In Germany, at least 20% of the population suffers from bad breath, but only very few are aware of it.
It can lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of life of those affected, as well as adversely affecting both work and social life. The causes of halitosis are not to be found in the intestinal tract, as people often believe, but rather 90% of cases are due to causes to be found in the mouth.
Treating halitosis (‘bad breath’)
If you are diagnosed with halitosis during one of our examinations, we will be able to offer you a treatment adapted specially to you.
Firstly, a specialised professional tooth cleaning is carried out, removing bacteria from the gingival crevices (small pockets in the gums) and the spaces between the teeth. Following this, the entirety of the tongue is cleaned with a special brush, right up to its root.
Additional bacteria that couldn’t be removed during manual cleaning are also removed using an antibacterial preparation (e.g. chlorhexidine). To keep halitosis at bay over the long term, the root causes must first be identified, and for this we need you respond to a detailed questionnaire. Based on your responses, we can recommend a treatment approach which can make sure results will last.
Long-term treatment success
In most normal cases, regular check-ups and dental hygienist appointments, combined with daily use of our cleaning kits (incl. tongue cleaner, antibacterial toothpaste and other tools) are enough to guarantee long-term treatment success.
This pays dividends with fresh, healthy breath and improved self-confidence, allowing you to enjoy a new-found sense of well-being.
Possible causes for bad breath may include: Bacteria on the tongue, between the teeth, in the gingival crevices, in deposits on the tooth surfaces, a dry mouth, infections or abscesses in the mouth, dry mucosa, snoring, smoking, fasting, diet or stress.
The right technique for dental care
A correct technique when caring for your teeth has a significant influence on your dental health and how often you will need to visit the dentist. That’s why we try to help our patients to develop the correct technique to care for their teeth at home.
This ranges from the correct brushing technique, use of interdental brushes, and even use of fluoride gel. We will show you all of the most important methods to care for your teeth.
Frequently asked questions
Brushing teeth using the Bass technique
Place your toothbrush at a 45° angle to the gums and the teeth and apply a little pressure to press the bristles lightly against the teeth and gums. You should brush back and forth in quick short motions, at least 10 times per tooth. Clean your teeth systematically: Start with the outer surfaces, then work along the inner side of the teeth, and then finally cover the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Using dental floss correctly
Start with a 40-50 cm long section of dental floss. Wrap the floss a few times around each middle finger and use index finger and thumb to support it. Using both index fingers, work the floss into the space between two teeth. Make the floss wrap around the tooth, “hugging the tooth”, and then move the floss up and down. Then, working between the same two teeth, repeat the process for the other tooth ensuring that all of the tooth surfaces in the gap are cleaned.
Using interdental brushes
Interdental brushes are an alternative to floss in the case of larger gaps between the teeth. These should be used to clean the teeth in front of a mirror. Insert the brush head into the space between the teeth and move it back and forth. With larger gaps between teeth, you can even angle the brush slightly from side to side. Make sure to replace the brush with a new one every two weeks.
The tongue cleaner
Using the tongue cleaner: Both in the morning and in the evening, you should give your tongue a little “pre-clean” with the bristled side, working always from the back to the tip of the tongue. Then, flip the tongue cleaner the other side up, and remove the now loosened coating using the scraper. Repeat as required.
Fluoride gel
Using fluoride gel: Once per week before going to bed, apply the fluoride gel to the tooth surfaces using a cotton swap or a finger. Leave the gel to work for two minutes, and then spit it out.
Be aware of the following points when buying dental care products
Dental floss should contain fluoride. Unwaxed dental floss can become somewhat frayed, which improves its effectiveness when cleaning.
Toothpaste should also contain fluoride as this protects against tooth decay (caries). Avoid toothpaste with whitening properties as these products are abrasive and can damage teeth.
Tongue cleaners should have a scraper portion (for removing the tongue coating) which should be replaced every two months.