What is oral hygiene?

Oral hygiene simply means the cleanliness and health of your mouth, teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay and is a very important part of your overall general health.

What does the Hygienist do?

Our Dental Hygienists not only carry out scale and polish treatments to ensure teeth are thoroughly cleaned, but also apply preventative materials to the teeth and gums, and advise on diet and individual home care regimes. They also carry out detailed and precise treatments to restore oral health for patients suffering from gum disease.

Our Dental Hygienists are an integral part of our dental team. Their services are often used alongside other specialised dental treatments, such as adding artificial teeth. This care not only helps to restore good oral health, but also advises on how to tailor a lifelong oral regime to your individual requirements following treatment, which can be followed at home. Regular repeat visits to the hygienist are then recommended to ensure good oral health is maintained and that treatments are successful, with a long life.

Can a hygienist help to prevent problems with teeth and gums?

Yes, that's exactly what they are trained to do. By professionally removing the plaque and tartar from the teeth, and instructing how this can be maintained at home to prevent future build up, the risks from tooth decay and gum disease are reduced considerably.

How do dental hygienists aid prevention of tooth decay and gum disease?

Your hygienist will thoroughly clean and polish your teeth (scale and polish) removing any plaque and tartar, and can apply fluoride as a preventative measure. They can also apply anti-bacterial gels and solution under the gum to kill the bacteria that causes gum disease. A very important part of the hygienists' role is to advise and instruct on a specific home care routine, suited to your individual needs.

Can children visit a dental hygienist?

Yes. Hygienists can polish children's teeth, apply fluoride gels and solutions to prevent decay, and seal the biting surfaces of the permanent back teeth with a plastic coating soon after the tooth comes through, as another preventative measure. This hygienist appointment is not available on NHS basis, see fee list for prices.

Will I feel any pain?

Treatments do not usually hurt. However, should you feel any discomfort, it is important to tell your hygienist as they can use anaesthetic creams or a local anaesthetic.

How can I look after my teeth and gums at home?

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often you have sugary drinks and snacks, and visit your dentist regularly as recommended. A dental hygienist will show you the most effective way to clean your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, and also how to clean between with dental floss, tape or small brushes.