Dental Hygiene

As well as regular check-ups with our dentist, routine visits to the dental hygienist are an important part of ensuring your teeth and gums are kept in top condition. Keeping your mouth healthy will not only give you a great smile but will also have beneficial knock-on effects for your general health.

Our hygienist will begin by making a thorough assessment of the health of your teeth and gums and gently removing any built-up plaque and tartar on and around the teeth and below the gum line that can’t always be removed by brushing and flossing. Plaque and tartar, if left unchecked, can cause significant health problems associated with tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease and diabetes, so there’s more at stake than just your oral health.

Our experienced dental hygienist will give your teeth the very best deep clean but is also available to advise you on every aspect of your oral health and to make any dietary recommendations that might help. They can also provide advice for patients with severe gum problems, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, and for those who have had extensive reconstructive work such as implants.

Finally, they will show you how to maintain your clean and healthy teeth with an effective brushing and flossing home oral healthcare regimen. Depending on your individual oral health needs, you will be given a recommendation for how often to visit the hygienist, with twice annually being an average.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is dental hygiene treatment?

    The primary aim of dental hygiene treatment is to maintain the health of the gums and prevent gum disease.

  • What is gum disease?

    Gum disease is described as swelling, soreness, or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two forms; gingivitis; and periodontitis.

  • What is Gingivitis?

    Gingivitis means “inflammation of the gums” and is evident when the gums are prone to bleeding when brushing. It is reversible with treatment and daily oral hygiene. If left untreated, this can lead to periodontitis.

  • What is Periodontitis?

    When gingivitis is prolonged is can lead to the destruction of the jaw bone supporting the teeth. This is referred to as Periodontitis and is a leading cause of tooth loss. Whilst it is irreversible, it is preventable with early treatment.

  • How can I prevent gum disease?

    The most important factor in preventing gum disease is an effective daily oral hygiene regime. In most cases this is all that is needed to prevent gum diseases. However, there are serveral other factors that may leave you prone to gum disease. These include smoking and medical conditions (such as diabetes).

  • Is gum disease linked to other diseases?

    In recent years gum disease has been linked with general health conditions such as diabetes, strokes, cardiovascular disease, poor pregnancy outcomes, and even dementia. More research is needed to understand how these links work but there is more and more evidence that having a healthy mouth and gums can help improve your general health and reduce the costs of medical treatment.