
Think of your dental hygienist as your smile’s best friend! These essential visits keep your gums healthy and happy because, as we love to say, prevention really is better than a cure. During your relaxing routine appointments, we’ll gently remove stubborn plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach, reducing your risk of gum disease while leaving you with fewer stains and that “just-cleaned” fresh feeling.
Hygienist visits are essential for gum health. Even patients with very little sugar in their diet will sustain some level of plaque in the mouth. Without removal, this sticky, colourless bacterial film can cause decay and gum disease. It is made up of bacteria, food, acid and saliva.
A deeper insight into your oral health. As part of our service to you, we can offer microbiome testing, giving you a deeper insight into what is really going on in your mouth. Microbiome testing shows you the types of bacteria present in your saliva, some of which may suggest an increased risk of systemic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer’s, pregnancy issues, and many more links are being discovered all the time.
Read more about microbiome testing here.
Book a consultationYou can still see our hygienists. If you are not currently under the care of one of our dentists for regular dental health checks, you can still benefit from professional hygiene care through direct access. This allows you to book directly with one of our hygienists for a clean and oral health support, without needing a prior check-up with a dentist.
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Our hygienists do not perform dental examinations or diagnose decay. If any issues are identified during your appointment, we will always recommend that you see a dentist, either at our clinic or with your own provider. This option is perfect for:
We are proud to offer safe, high-quality hygiene care to both existing and new patients in our community.
Plaque is a stubborn waste product made up of bacteria, food and saliva that sticks firmly to your teeth. Acid is a harmful by-product created when the bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and can dissolve tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
A build-up of plaque at the gum margins can become hardened over time and can lead to inflammation and bleeding gums.
Whilst you can remove a portion of the plaque from your teeth each day by brushing and flossing, some will always be left behind. This is where your hygienist comes in.
They will use special instruments to remove it, reducing your risk of unpleasant symptoms and of developing gum disease (the main cause of tooth loss in adults).
Some classic signs of gum disease are:
The early stages of gum disease can be controlled with good at-home care and limitations on your diet. As it’s a progressive disease, once it reaches a certain stage, the gums can’t self-repair, which is why hygienist appointments are so vital, no matter your age, gender or lifestyle.
You may wish to consider Airflow® tooth polishing if you: