Article by Sarah Matthews

Most of us think that a quick brush once or twice a day, along with an occasional work-out with the old dental floss, will keep our teeth in tip-top condition. Good dentists, and dental hygienists, know better. If you want to keep your teeth for as long as possible, you need to keep them clean. And visit a hygienist regularly.

Good hygienists are not a dime a dozen, they are a rare breed who really care about teeth. Many people (mistakenly) assume they are just people who didn’t want to shell out all the time, energy and cash to finish dental school. Actually, becoming a dental hygienist requires finishing an accredited dental hygiene program of at least two years’ duration and pass several state and national exams. Some finish a four-year Bachelor’s of Science program in Dental Hygiene, which includes courses in oral anatomy and hygiene theory.

Teaching good dental hygiene is an art in itself, and doing it properly is not something to be sneezed at (especially not when your hygienist is looking in your mouth). Look for one who has RDH, or Registered dental Hygienist, after their name, as a stamp of quality and … Read the rest