What Your Dentist’s Office Wants You to Know: Q&A with Tori McConnell, Dental Hygienist

Does your dental hygienist really know if you floss at home or not? Does brushing your tongue really make a difference in your oral health? Should you tell your dentist if you’re experiencing any anxiety prior to your appointment? All of these answers and more are shared from a recent Q&A with one of our dental hygienists, Tori McConnell.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. Who’s behind the scrubs?

A: My husband Zach and I grew up in Pennsylvania. We have lived in Richmond for the past 2 years. Our favorite things to do in Richmond are bike on the capital trail, eat and drink at all the restaurants and breweries, and see concerts at the Broadberry. In our spare time, we also enjoy camping and traveling.

Q: What’s your favorite part about being a dental hygienist?

A: My favorite part of being a hygienist is giving patients a healthy smile that will boost their confidence.

Q: What’s the #1 thing you want every patient to know about going to the dentist?

A: I want every patient to know how important it is to get regular check-ups and cleanings every 6 months! It is MUCH easier to get your teeth cleaned every 6 months as opposed to pushing it off for years.

Q: Can you share a question patients ask you often?

A: Patients often ask me what the best mouthwash is, and I really like Listerine Total Care, the purple one without alcohol and fluoride.

Q: Here’s our burning question: Do you already know whether we have been flossing or not? What do you REALLY want to say to patients when you know they haven't been flossing?

A: Oh, we KNOW if you have been flossing or not. There are no secrets.

Q: What’s one thing that we should be doing for our dental care at home that most people don’t realize they should do? Can you tell me the difference that makes?

A: One thing patients should be doing at home is brushing their tongue. Tongues hold tons of gross bacterias and odors, and it should be brushed at least once a day. It will make your breath smell so much better!

Q: Why is it important to get a dental cleaning TWICE yearly instead of once a year?

A: To make it easier for the hygienist (laughs). Your cleaning will be much more comfortable if you maintain regular appointments.

Q: A lot of people are nervous at the dentist… How do you put them at ease? Is it important for someone to tell you if they have anxiety about their dental appointment?

A: I like to get to know the patients and ask them about their work or kids. When patients talk about their families, it seems to get their mind off of the cleaning. I also always explain everything I do before I do it so the patient knows exactly what to expect. It is important to tell us ahead of time if you have some form of dental anxiety so we can prepare for the appointment.We hope you enjoyed with Q&A session with dental hygienist, Tori McConnell. If you have any questions about an upcoming appointment or service, please feel free to give our office a call at (804) 794-4588