Dental hygienist Eileen Hartman provides a dental cleaning for Sgt. Cynthia Bowen during a regular oral check up. Capt. Jennifer Elzinga Ever wonder what qualifies the person who cleans your teeth to use those shiny, pointy instruments inside your mouth? How does someone get a job like that?

The practice of dental hygiene requires a college degree. Most states have at least one school that offers an Associate of Arts in Allied Health, a two year program; or a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health, a four year program. These programs are offered locally at the Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta campus. Once a degree is earned, graduates must pass a national board written examination and state clinical examination in order to earn a dental hygienist licensure, required by all states. In military dental clinics, a valid license from any state is acceptable.

Fort Gordon has three dental clinics where registered dental hygienists collectively see an average of 543 patients per month. Snyder Dental Clinic is considered the troop clinic where Signal Corps Soldiers and students are in-processed with a focus on oral hygiene and general dentistry. Snyder has four registered dental hygienists. The medical center dental clinic is located on the first floor of Eisenhower and includes oral and maxiofacial surgery as well as general dentistry. A dental hygienist also works at the medical center clinic. Tingay Dental Clinic is a specialty clinic which is the primary home of the Army’s Dental Residency Training Programs. These programs instruct post graduates in endodontics (root canals), prosthodontics ( dentures, crowns, and bridges), and periodontics (gum surgery and dental implants). The two hygienists at Tingay help support the residents’ patients.

Proper clinical dental hygiene requires dental X-rays and an annual dental examination. The examination, conducted by a dentist, reveals cavities, defective fillings, ill fitting removable prosthesis, fixed partial dentures, oral pathology, and dental implants. The exam also reveals oral health issues such as bleeding gums (gingivitis), heavy tartar build up (calculus), bone loss, and periodontal disease. Unchecked, these findings can lead to loss of teeth.

A dental cleaning, technically termed oral prophylaxis, is the removal of hard and soft deposits on the teeth. Oral prophylaxis should be conducted once or twice a year. This is conducted by a dental hygienist. The deposits are usually removed with metal instruments called scalers or a vibrating machine that removes heavy deposits and stains called a cavitron. This process may or may not be pleasant depending on how well you have maintained your teeth. Immediately following your cleaning, the dental hygienist will polish your teeth to give you that bright smile. Periodontal disease often requires a deeper cleaning which includes scaling and root planing. If this is necessary, local anesthesia is usually administered. However, extensive periodontal disease may require surgical intervention by the periodontist.

In recent articles in the Registered Dental Hygiene magazine, poor oral health has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and other common diseases. This is due to the fact that the mouth holds the most germs in the human body. If proper oral hygiene is not maintained, teeth in the mouth can decay and your gums can become puffy and swollen. If this happens, the bacteria can enter your blood stream, affecting major organs.

Good oral hygiene practices are the key to good dental health. This includes proper brushing and flossing. Everyone should brush for approximately 2-3 minutes in a circular or up and down motion, starting on one side and ending on the other side. When brushing, make sure you clean down to the gums. Gentle, thorough brushing removes soft deposits on the surface of the teeth and just under the gum, without removing the protective enamel of the teeth. Brushing should be done twice a day, preferably after breakfast and before bed. Flossing, on the other hand, should be conducted once a day in order to remove the deposits between the teeth and tissues of the gum. Correct flossing is conducted by wrapping the floss in a C-shape around each tooth and below the gum, moving it up and down. If you have questions about brushing or flossing, your dental hygienist can demonstrate the proper method for flossing and brushing your teeth.

Remember, the beautiful smile you see in the mirror results from the joint venture between you and your dental healthcare professionals. These guidelines, paired with good nutrition, will help you maintain good oral hygiene and keep your permanent teeth.