Hygiene Services

What is gum disease?

Bacteria is attracted to plaque and tartar, so when tartar accumulates around the gum line, the bacteria causes the gum tissue to become inflamed when these tissues become under attack. Affected gums can appear red, irritated and bleed when you brush your teeth. If your gums bleed, it is one of the first signs of gum disease. We would advise you to contact us for an appointment with your hygienist as you can now book a direct access hygiene appointment without seeing the dentist first. You can do this by contacting our reception team who will arrange an appointment at your convenience.

What does a hygienist do?

Hygienists are fully trained members of the dental team who focus on preventing and treating gum disease by promoting good oral hygiene. During a hygiene appointment, the health of your gums and teeth will be assessed. This will involve looking for any signs of swelling, inflammation or bleeding. The hygienist may also take measurements where the gum attaches to the tooth and check for signs of oral cancer.

One of the main aspects of the hygienist’s role is to carry out a ‘scale and polish’, a thorough clean of the teeth to remove plaque and tartar build-up. Scaling (removing tartar) also makes it easier to keep teeth clean as there is no longer a rough surface to attract more plaque. This deep clean will be finished off with a polish to leave teeth shiny and smooth.

Hygienists also offer helpful hygiene advice and demonstrate how to keep your teeth clean and plaque-free with toothbrushes, interdental brushes and floss.

Regularly visiting a hygienist will help you maintain a healthy oral environment.