Gum disease is one of the most common oral health troubles and if left untreated, can lead to bad breath, bleeding, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, loose teeth and eventually tooth loss.
We believe in preventing all dental diseases, and an important part of that is undertaking regular cleaning with the hygienist to maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. The hygienist removes harmful plaque that settles on the teeth and gums, as well as hardened build-ups, like tartar, below the gum line.
Our hygienists can offer you everything from a simple scale and polish to a far more bespoke treatment program involving in-depth cleaning of your teeth and gums broken down over a series of visits – this is ideal for those patients who suffer from more advanced gum disease.
Treatment journey
Your visit will last between 20 and 30 minutes.
During this visit, the hygienist will talk to you about how you clean at home and then they will check the health of your teeth and gums.
They will then go on to clean them very thoroughly, followed by a polish.
They will end the visit by giving you detailed instructions on improving your cleaning routine at home, including a demonstration with any recommended cleaning aids, like tepe brushes or floss.
Suppose you suffer from advanced disease or have a large amount of tartar built up on your teeth. In that case, they may suggest the cleaning is done slowly over several visits, each visit focusing on a single area of your mouth allowing them to be much more thorough.
Stain Removal
Teeth can build up with stains because of dietary influences like tea, coffee and red wine, as well as lifestyle habits like smoking.
The hygienist can spend time removing all the surface staining which has built up thoroughly, without any damage to the enamel of your teeth.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why should I see the hygienist?
For your mouth to be in the best state of health, it requires a joint effort between you, at home, and the hygienist. Their job is to get into all the areas you cannot reach yourself, so your mouth always remains as clean as possible. By way of regular professional cleaning, we can reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth, reducing, in turn, the likelihood of you suffering from gum disease. If you do suffer from gum disease then regular cleaning will stop it from getting worse, and reduce the chances of you losing your teeth.
2. Do I need to be registered with the practice to visit the hygienist?
No, not necessarily. You can come and see the hygienist even if you don’t see any of the dentists at the practice, which is perfect if your dental practice is unable to offer such services. However, we believe we can take much better care of your overall dental health if you choose us to look after all of your dental needs because the dentist and hygienist can work together to deliver a better level of treatment.
3. What will the hygienist do differently from my usual dentist’s ‘scale and polish?
The scale and polish the dentists give you may be very superficial, and they cannot spend the time being as thorough as you might need, or want, them to be. They will also not spend much time on stain removal. The hygienist will clean much more deeply and completely in comparison.
4. Will it hurt?
Treatment isn’t usually painful but the hygienist can help ease any discomfort you do feel with anaesthetic.
5. How often should I see the hygienist?
If your gums are generally healthy, we suggest you visit the hygienist every 6 months. If you have a more advanced disease the hygienist may recommend you come in and see her every 3-4 months.
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