Why should I visit a Dental Hygienist?
 

Prevent gum disease
Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. If undiagnosed in the early stages (gingivitis), gum disease can be treated and reversed by regular hygienist cleaning, flossing daily and brushing twice a day.
If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease called periodontitis may follow including the loss of bone that keeps your teeth in place.
 

Detect dental problems early
Your hygienist will be able to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth or gums. Early detection of cavities, broken fillings and gum disease are easily treated. However, if these problems go untreated other more invasive and expensive treatment such as root canal, gum surgery and the removal of teeth may become the only treatment options available.
 

Help maintain good physical health
Recent studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease, resulting from poor oral hygiene. Professional dental cleaning every 6 months (or 3 months for people who smoke) significantly helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.
A clinical study of 100,000 people showed that those who regularly had professional teeth cleaning (scale and polish) had a 24% lower risk of heart disease and 13% lower risk of a stroke.
 

Prevention of oral cancer
Information provided by the British Dental Health Foundation suggests that more than 6000 people will be diagnosed with mouth cancer this year in the UK alone. When your Dental Hygienist cleans your teeth they also screen you for oral cancer, which is highly curable if diagnosed in the early stages.
 

Prevent bad breath
Dental studies show that about 85% of people with persistent bad breath (also known as halitosis) have a dental problem to blame for it. Gum disease (gingivitis) is caused by the build up of plaque which when untreated can harden and become tartar in as little as 24 hours; it is tartar that causes bad breath. Once tartar has formed on your teeth it can only be removed by professional teeth cleaning (scale and polish).
 

Advice on maintaining good oral health
Your dental hygienist will help to ensure you are maintaining good oral health by a visual examination and comparing records from your previous visits. If you are falling off track with your oral hygiene they will help put you back on the right path, including advice on your home dental care and suitable products.
 

Brighten up your smile
Your dental hygienist can remove most surface staining caused by items such as tobacco, coffee, tea and red wine. During your professional cleaning, your hygienist will also polish your teeth to a cosmetic shine; the result being a whiter and brighter smile.

Can I see just the Dental Hygienist?

We would always recommend that you also see a dentist, but yes, in 2013 the government changed the ‘rules’ to allow the general public to freely choose to see any hygienist without the need to see a dentist first. Direct access enables you to book an appointment directly with our hygienists at your convenience. You can also be referred by your dentist too!
 

Please note, direct access to dental hygienists is only provide on a private basis.

Will the Scale and Polish treatment make my teeth whiter?

Your Dental Hygienist will remove any tooth surface staining at your appointment as well as identifying possible causes for the staining and advise you on how to prevent it.
Deep tooth staining can only be removed by professional tooth whitening, or in more severe cases composite white fillings, veneers or crowns may be necessary.

Does Scale and Polish treatment hurt?

You may feel some unusual sensations in your mouth, but no, the scale and polish procedure shouldn’t hurt. The sensation you might feel may include a scraping sensation or a tickling feeling in your gums.

If you are very nervous about any dental pain, a numbing gel can be used. If you are nervous about the scale and polish treatment, please speak to the receptionist when you book your appointment and they will notify your dental hygienist.

Can you have a Scale and Polish on the NHS?

If your NHS dentist says scaling is clinically required, then your dentist may provide a simple scaling included in a Band 1 course of treatment, but for more complex treatment such as gum problems this would be charged within a Band 2 course of treatment.

Your dentist may also discuss with you the options for visiting the Dental Hygienist for private treatment.

I find Dental Floss difficult to use

Not everyone gets along with using traditional dental floss, and for some it is not the most effective solution to cleaning in between the teeth. Your Dental Hygienist will help you find alternatives to suit you and explain and demonstrate how to use them at home.

Brush your teeth

At least twice a day for two minutes.

Floss

Flossing at least once a day helps remove food particles and plaque between teeth and along the gum line that your toothbrush can’t quite reach.

Use a mouthwash

Using a mouthwash can help reduce plaque and can remove remaining food particles that brushing and flossing missed.

Plaque disclosing agents

These can aid the removal of plaque by colouring plaque to make it easily visible. Plaque disclosing agents should be used after brushing the teeth to reveal areas where plaque still remains.

Avoid other risk factors

This includes smoking, getting stressed and having a poor diet.