Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienists are licensed in dental hygiene and are highly trained in preventive oral health care. 

To obtain a license as a dental hygienist, a person must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass a written and clinical examination. 

When a dental hygienist is licensed, they have the title RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist).  A dental hygienist examines and treats many dental conditions in the dental office. 

A dental hygienist will examine your teeth, mouth and gums and take dental x-rays.  If tooth decay is present, they will assess the level of tooth decay and determine if periodontal gum disease is present.  If periodontal gum disease is present, scaling and root planning may be performed by a dental hygienist. 

A dental hygienist also performs your regular dental cleanings.  They will thoroughly clean the surfaces of your teeth by removing plaque, tartar and easily removable stains from above and below your gum line.  They will use floss, specialized tools and unique cleaning mixtures to clean your teeth.  They may even apply fluoride gels and dental sealants to certain teeth they diagnose as prone to plaque and tartar build-up.  Fluoride gels and dental sealants help prevent cavities and tooth decay. 

Dental hygienists also educate and teach their patients about proper oral hygiene and the importance of good nutrition.  They will provide information on how to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, dental cavities or bad breath, how to select the right tooth brush and dental floss and show you the proper way to brush and floss your teeth. They will also explain how a healthy diet relates to healthy teeth.

Our dental hygienist at San Diego Dentistry is a RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist).  If you need a regular dental cleaning, information about proper oral hygiene or you are wondering if you have periodontal gum disease, tooth decay or dental cavities, please call San Diego Dentistry. Our phone number is 858-277-5141 and our email address is info@mysandiegodentists.com.  Our office is located at 5222 Balboa Ave, Suite 72, San Diego, CA 92117.