Dental Hygiene in Wimbledon
Book a dental hygiene appointment for £75 – get in touch today to see our dental hygienist
What is dental hygiene?
Dental hygiene is the practice of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. It involves a combination of daily habits and regular professional care. Proper dental hygiene can prevent a variety of oral health problems, including cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Daily habits like brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and using a mouthwash can help remove food particles and plaque, a sticky film that can form on teeth. Regular dental checkups and cleanings by a dental hygienist are also essential. We can remove tartar (hardened plaque) and check for signs of oral health problems. Hygienists are trained in cleaning away plaque and tartar deposits, protecting your smile from bacteria.
Dental hygienist
The cleaner your teeth, the less likely you are to develop gum disease. Hygienists are fully trained members of the dental team who focus on preventing and treating gum disease by promoting good oral hygiene. Our dental hygienist, Wiola Pawelec, takes pride in being both thorough and gentle, as well as putting nervous patients at ease throughout their hygiene experience.
Regularly visiting a hygienist will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums, as well as protecting your overall well-being because poor gum health has been linked to more serious conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Why are hygiene appointments important?
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.
Our hygienist also offers helpful hygiene advice and demonstrates how to keep your teeth clean and plaque-free with toothbrushes, interdental brushes and floss.
Five reasons to book your hygiene appointment
- Prevent dental issues before they start: Regular visits to your hygienist can help prevent gum disease and other oral health problems from developing.
- Achieve a brighter, confident smile: Stains, plaque, and tartar will be removed during your appointment, leaving your teeth whiter and brighter.
- Enjoy fresher breath: Your hygienist can reach areas that your toothbrush might miss, leading to fresher breath and cleaner teeth.
- Gain expert oral health tips: Your hygienist can demonstrate effective cleaning and flossing techniques to help you maintain a healthier mouth between appointments.
- Early detection of oral health issues: As part of your appointment, your hygienist will conduct a screening for mouth cancer and other oral diseases, helping to catch any potential problems early.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bright red or purplish gums
- Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums (gums that pull away from the teeth)
- Persistent bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Sores in the mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth wide
- A change in your bite
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- New spaces developing between teeth
- Loss of teeth
Find out more about gum disease
Book your dental hygiene appointment today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my dental hygiene treatment hurt?
Often the anticipation of going to the dentist or dental hygienist is much worse than the actual visit. Listening to people with past bad dental experiences heightens anxiety. However, we aim to create a calm and relaxed environment. There can be an element of discomfort, and sometimes tooth sensitivity can be experienced. We will ensure you know what to expect before any treatment. We will also be guided by you and if you feel any pain, we will stop immediately to give you a break.
How often do I need to see the hygienist?
The amount of time between appointments for visiting your hygienist is specific to each individual patient. This will be based on the condition of your teeth and gums, the speed you build up tartar/calculus, staining, and your susceptibility to periodontitis. For simple tartar/calculus or stain removal, a three-monthly visit is usually enough. If there is any bone loss or unstable periodontal disease present, then more frequent visits may be advised.
What happens during a hygiene appointment?
The main part of your hygiene appointment involves a routine scale and polish. This deep-clean removes stubborn tartar from all the hard-to-reach areas. This is then followed by a professional polish – which leaves your teeth feeling smoother, cleaner, and brighter. As well as a deep clean, we will advise you on how to properly care for your teeth and gums. We can show you how to use interdental cleaning tools properly so you can keep up the hard work at home.
Why does gum disease occur?
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. If this sticky substance is not removed, it can turn into hard tartar and start to irritate the gums, leading to redness and soreness. Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into bigger problems for your mouth such as periodontitis. This means the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These pockets can collect debris that can become infected. In some people, their immune system can overreact and start to break down the gum tissue and even the bone that supports the tooth.
What are the stages of gum disease?
The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, which can cause gums to separate from the teeth, creating pockets that can get infected. These pockets, over time, will deepen, the gums will continue to recede, and eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
