Updated June 2026
When you visit your dentist, you will often find different members of the dental team handling your treatments and cleanings. While your dentist oversees your overall oral health care, dental hygienists play an important role in helping you maintain a healthy smile between visits.
What is a Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is a licensed oral healthcare professional who works alongside your dentist to help prevent, identify, and treat oral health concerns. Dental hygienists provide preventive care designed to keep your teeth and gums healthy while helping patients understand the importance of good oral hygiene habits.
Depending on state regulations and the needs of the dental practice, a dental hygienist may perform a variety of services. Most commonly, hygienists provide professional dental cleanings, take digital dental X-rays, assess gum health, screen for signs of oral disease, and educate patients on proper home care techniques.
At Shorewood Family Dental Care, our team of hygienists is committed to helping patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles. By seeing patients regularly, our hygienists can monitor changes in oral health over time and help identify concerns early, often before they become more serious issues. Like all members of our clinical team, our hygienists participate in continuing education to stay current on the latest techniques, technologies, and best practices in dental care.
When Should You See A Dental Hygienist?
The most common reason patients visit a dental hygienist is for their routine preventive cleaning and examination. For many patients, we recommend dental visits every six months. However, some individuals may benefit from more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs.
Regular dental cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup that cannot be eliminated through brushing and flossing alone. These visits also allow your dental team to identify potential concerns such as cavities, gum disease, or other oral health issues before they require more extensive treatment.
Along with the responsibility of performing your cleanings, a dental hygienist is often responsible for:
- Reviewing your dental history.
- Completing reports and treatment paperwork.
- Administering and processing x-rays.
- Performing advanced and deep cleaning treatments.
- Performing preliminary examinations and monitoring gum health.
- Assisting the dentist while he/she is performing a treatment plan.
- Educate patients on proper oral care.
Schedule Your Next Cleaning
If you live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and are looking for compassionate, comprehensive dental care, Shorewood Family Dental Care is here to help. Our team is available six days a week to accommodate your busy schedule and provide the preventive care you need to keep your smile healthy for years to come.
Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning or dental appointment. We look forward to seeing you!
