Maintaining good dental hygiene is a vital part of maintaining overall good oral health. Dental hygiene focuses on preventing oral diseases, such as gum disease and tooth decay.
Hygiene appointments will help prevent gum disease and dental decay. While your oral care routine at home does most of the work when it comes to removing plaque from your teeth, a professional cleaning will help remove any build-up. Hygienists are trained in cleaning away plaque and tartar deposits, protecting your smile from bacteria.
Hygienists focus on preventing and treating gum disease by promoting excellent oral hygiene. Regular visits to your hygienist will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums and in turn protect your overall wellbeing, as poor gum health has been linked to more serious conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.
Your oral health depends on your gums. Your dental hygienist is best placed to look after your gum health, preventing gum disease and removing any bacteria that is already irritating your gums. Gum disease, if left untreated, can cause gums to recede and can be a contributing factor to tooth loss.
The symptoms of gum disease are mild, so it is often overlooked. We carry out a check during the appointment to spot gum disease, putting us in a position to catch it before it worsens.
Initially, we will examine your teeth and gums, looking for any signs of inflammation, swelling, or bleeding. We will also check for signs of oral cancer.
The main part of the hygiene appointment is the scale and polish: a thorough clean of your teeth, removing plaque and tartar build up. This boosts the health of your gums and makes it easier to keep your teeth clean at home, as there is no longer a rough surface on your teeth to attract plaque. We complete the clean by polishing your teeth, leaving them shiny and smooth.
Our hygienist will also give advice on how to keep up with a good oral hygiene routine at home and demonstrate how to keep your teeth plaque-free with toothbrushes, interdental brushes, and floss.
Step 1: Prevents dental issues from developing
Regular visits to your hygienist help prevent periodontal and gum disease from developing.
Step 2: Feel more confident with a lighter, brighter smile
Stains, plaque, and tartar will be removed during your hygienist appointment, leaving your teeth whiter and brighter.
Step 3: Fresh breath
As your hygienist can reach parts that normal brushing can’t reach, you will have fresher breath and cleaner teeth, giving you a healthier mouth.
Step 4: Oral health tips and advice
Your hygienist can demonstrate how to clean and floss teeth more effectively, so you can maintain a cleaner and healthier mouth in between your appointments.
Step 5: Screening for mouth cancer and other oral diseases
As part of your appointment, your hygienist will do a mouth cancer screening check to spot any warning signs early on.
Read some of our patient reviews and know that you are in safe hands at our dental practice in Dartford.
For our younger patients, we can apply fluoride varnishes to strengthen the tooth enamel or use fissure sealants to provide a barrier to stop bacteria from settling in the narrow fissures of the back teeth. We can use these treatments as a protective measure for young teeth when they first start to emerge.
At Dartford Road Dental, we believe that quality dental care should be accessible to as many patients as possible. That is why we have options available to help spread the cost.
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. 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.
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 six-monthly visit is usually enough. If there is any bone loss or unstable periodontal disease present, then more frequent visits may be advised.
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.
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.
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.
We are happy to help if you have any questions or concerns - get in touch today with our easy to use contact form. Our friendly team is waiting to hear from you!
Areas we serve include Dartford, Crayford and surrounding areas
When to visit
We have early opening hours!
Mon - Thurs 8:15am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:15am - 1:45pm
Saturday 9:00am - 1:45pm (appointment only)