Hygienist

Hygiene treatment shouldn’t be painful, but you may find a traditional scale and polish uncomfortable. We create a calm and relaxed environment to help you feel at ease, and let you know what to expect before we begin. On the other hand, Airflow treatment is a completely pain free, fast and non-invasive way to professionally clean your teeth, which many patients prefer.

The amount of time you should leave between hygiene appointments is completely bespoke to each individual patient. Your dentist and hygienist will suggest when to book your next appointment, based on the current condition of your teeth and gums and if any gum disease is present, among other factors. For most patients, a hygiene appointment every six months is advised.

Although many patients tend to book their dental examination and hygienist appointments around the same time, this is not always necessary. You don’t need to be referred to the hygienist by your dentist, and are able to book an appointment separately if you need or want to. We can advise you if you need it.

Initially, your hygienist asks about your overall oral and general health, and your brushing and flossing routine at home. This helps them tailor the treatment to your needs. Your hygienist then examines your teeth and gums, looking for signs of disease and decay. The main part of your appointment is a professional clean of your teeth, either a traditional ‘scale and polish’ or with increasingly popular Airflow treatment. Your appointment finishes with some advice on how to continue to care for your teeth at home.

To keep up with an effective oral hygiene routine at home, and protect your oral health, we recommend the use of interdental brushes to clean between your teeth. Plaque is constantly forming on your teeth, and while brushing controls this on the surfaces, it does not reach the areas in between. This is why interdental brushing at least once a day is so crucial.

If plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on your teeth and around the gum line, and not removed effectively, your gums begin to become inflamed and irritated. Red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed are the main sign of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. This can be reversed with careful treatment, but, if left untreated, it can develop and worsen. The gums start to recede, allowing pockets to develop between the gum and tooth which fill with bacteria. This is known as periodontitis, and can lead to tooth loss. It is not reversible but can be managed.

There are a number of factors that indicate you may be living at high risk for developing gum disease. These include:

• Smoking: Numerous studies have shown that smokers have more gum disease. Smokers have increased levels of tartar in the mouth, and experience more tissue irritation, which makes their gums more susceptible to disease. Smokers have more bone loss and heal less quickly than non-smokers.
• Stress: When our immune system is stressed it is difficult to fight off the bacteria that causes gum infections.
• Dental neglect: Avoiding the dentist is a lifestyle choice that puts you at risk of contracting diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums.
• Diabetics: This group of people are more likely to have gum disease than most people and gum disease makes it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood sugar.