Dental Hygiene

Healthy gums are the foundation for healthy teeth.

No matter how well you look after your teeth, if your gums reach a certain level of poor health, they can no longer provide a healthy home for your teeth, putting you at risk of tooth loss. Good dental hygiene is all about having a preventative approach which means attending regular hygiene appointments, alongside a healthy at-home routine.

What can I expect from a hygienist appointment?

Your hygienist is a gum connoisseur and, contrary to what many might think, plays a totally different role to your dentist. A whopping third of adults in the UK have never been to the hygienist, suggesting there is still some way to go in educating the public about why these appointments are so important. Your hygienist is there to teach you how to brush and floss and can suggest the types of products to use depending on your tooth structure and health. They’ll also perform what is known as a scale and polish, using special equipment to clean your teeth and gum line, removing plaque and tartar.

Airflow® tooth polishing at Hunts Cross Dental Care

We’ve invested in a state-of-the-art Airflow® tooth polishing system which works to gently remove tenacious plaque and tartar staining. This scale and polish method is particularly attractive to patients who aren’t keen on the traditional metal scraping tools used to remove bacteria along the gum line.

Why attend regular hygienist appointments?

Long-term investment into your gum health: regular hygienist appointments will stop the significant build-up of bacteria on your teeth and gums and, therefore, protect you from developing advanced gum disease. In turn, this reduces your risk of tooth loss and extraction.

Maintain fresh breath: bacteria build-up in the mouth can leave you with a poor-smelling breath. Improve your confidence and relationships with regular appointments to keep your breath smelling fresh and healthy. Those who smoke and regularly consume alcohol are particularly susceptible to bad breath.

Save money: advanced procedures can cost thousands of pounds but can be avoided by simply attending routine hygienist appointments.

Learn about your smile: everyone’s smile is different. Your hygienist can teach you the best methods to keep yours healthy.