By Abigail, SmileSip Intern
I'm a high school senior interning with SmileSip. As I learned about SmileSip from Misty Mattingly RDH, one of the first things I wanted to understand was where dental hygiene came from. I had always thought of a cleaning as just a cleaning. Learning the history showed me that prevention has been the whole point from the very beginning, and it has changed how I view my routine dental visits.
The Role
Many people know the sensation of going to the dentist, getting your teeth cleaned, and walking out feeling fresh. The job of a hygienist, though, is much more than simply cleaning teeth. Hygienists do multiple oral health assessments, checking your gums for any signs of disease or recession and looking for anything in the mouth that needs a closer look. They also take preventive measures such as applying fluoride varnish or dental sealants. All the while, hygienists encourage consistent oral health habits. For patients at home, hygienists might recommend a specific electric toothbrush, water flosser or new toothpaste. For when patients are on the go, hygienists might recommend less sugary drinks, a travel toothbrush, xylitol chewing gum - and now hygienists are recommending SmileSip.
The mouth is part of the body, so its health can both affect and reflect our overall well-being. Dental professionals often ask about conditions like diabetes because overall health and gum health are connected. That connection helps explain why caring for our teeth and gums is an important part of caring for our overall health.
The Origin
This focus on health and prevention has been part of dental hygiene since the profession began. In 1906, Connecticut dentist Dr. Alfred Fones began training Irene Newman to clean teeth and help patients care for their mouths, and she became the first person to work as what he called a "dental hygienist." In 1913, he opened the first dental hygiene school in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with Newman helping teach the first class. Their work helped establish a profession dedicated to preventing oral disease and teaching people how to maintain their oral health.
The mission soon reached beyond the dental office. In 1914, graduates of the Fones program began providing care and education in Bridgeport public schools. Working with children offered an opportunity to introduce healthy habits early in life. Education became an essential part of the hygienist's role, helping people understand how their everyday choices could protect their teeth and gums.
The Present
As the profession developed, hygienists' education and responsibilities expanded. Today, dental hygiene appointments involve reviewing health histories and medications, assessing gum health, and looking for changes in the mouth. These observations help hygienists understand each patient's needs and tailor their care. Questions about diabetes, smoking, or medications have a purpose: they provide information that can affect oral health and treatment.
Hygienists also help identify problems before patients notice them. Assessing the gums can reveal signs that need attention, while examining the mouth's tissues may uncover an unusual sore or other change that needs a closer look by your dental professional. Recognizing these concerns and arranging follow-up care can help patients get answers sooner. Prevention and early detection serve different purposes, but both are central to protecting health.
The Patients
The work continues through patient education - from a patient's first tooth and their first tooth lost to all dental milestones. Hygienists help people develop practical routines, improve brushing and cleaning between teeth, and understand their individual needs. These conversations turn a dental visit into an opportunity to build habits that patients can use every day.
From dental hygiene's beginnings with Fones and Newman to its role in healthcare today, dental hygiene has kept a clear purpose: helping people protect their health through prevention. Understanding the connection between the mouth and body gives that purpose greater meaning. At your next dental visit, talk to your dental hygienist about possible early concerns, ask questions and ask for recommendations because good oral health affects overall health.
I walked into this internship thinking hygienists clean teeth. Now I know they've been teaching prevention for more than a century, and I'm grateful to the hygienists teaching me now.
Part of the Abigail series.