We recommend a professional hygiene appointment every six months for most patients, though some individuals may benefit from appointments every three to four months. Your hygienist will advise on the right interval for you based on your individual clinical picture.
A thorough removal of plaque, calculus, and surface staining from all tooth surfaces and gum margins, including the areas your brush cannot reach. Ultrasonic scaling is used alongside hand instruments to ensure a comprehensive clean without discomfort.
At every hygiene appointment, we assess the health of your gum tissue and measure periodontal pocket depths to identify any areas of concern. Where early or established gum disease is present, we provide appropriate treatment and a management plan designed to stabilise and improve the condition over time.
Surface staining from tea, coffee, red wine, and tobacco is removed as part of every appointment, leaving your teeth noticeably cleaner and brighter. For patients with heavier or more persistent staining, additional polishing can be arranged.
No two patients have the same home care routine, or the same challenges. Your hygienist will take the time to review how you are cleaning your teeth, identify any areas that are being missed, and give you personalised, practical advice on technique, products, and habits. This is one of the most valuable parts of the appointment.
The best hygiene appointment in the world is only as effective as the home care that follows it. These are the habits and techniques our hygiene team recommends most consistently: simple to adopt and genuinely transformative over time.
Most people brush for less time than they think. A two-minute brush, morning and last thing at night, using a fluoride toothpaste, every day, without exception, is the single most important thing you can do for your dental health. An electric toothbrush makes this significantly easier and more effective.
Brushing cleans only three of the five surfaces of each tooth. The spaces between teeth are where gum disease and decay most commonly begin, and the only way to clean them is with interdental brushes or floss. Even a daily thirty-second sweep makes a measurable difference.
It seems counterintuitive, but rinsing your mouth after brushing washes away the fluoride from your toothpaste before it has had a chance to work. Spit, do not rinse. If you use mouthwash, use it at a different time of day.
Acidic and sugary drinks are damaging not just because of their sugar content, but because of the frequency of exposure. Sipping throughout the day keeps your teeth under sustained acid attack; confining drinks to mealtimes gives your enamel time to recover in between. Water is always the best choice between meals.
A worn toothbrush cleans far less effectively than a new one. Replace your manual toothbrush, or the head of your electric brush, every three months, or sooner if the bristles begin to splay. Most electric toothbrush heads come with indicator bristles that change colour when it is time.
Professional cleaning removes what your brush cannot, catches problems early, and gives your hygienist the chance to refresh your technique and products as your needs change. We recommend six-monthly hygiene appointments for most patients, and we promise it is worth every visit.
Gum disease is common, largely preventable, and, when caught early, very manageable. It is also one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, and one of the most frequently overlooked health concerns. If your gums bleed when you brush, if your teeth feel sensitive at the gum line, or if you simply cannot remember the last time you had a professional clean, please book in. The sooner we can see you, the simpler any treatment will be.
Our hygiene appointment fees are straightforward, and a full breakdown will always be provided before your appointment. There are no hidden costs, and no pressure to add on additional treatments. We believe your hygiene investment is one of the most worthwhile you can make for your long-term dental health, and we work hard to ensure every appointment reflects that.
For most patients, we recommend a professional hygiene appointment every six months. This interval keeps calculus build-up in check, gives us regular sight of your gum health, and ensures your home care advice stays current.
Some patients, particularly those with a history of gum disease or consistently heavy build-up, benefit from more frequent appointments every three to four months. Your hygienist will advise on the right interval for you.
A dental check-up is carried out by your dentist and focuses on assessing the health of your teeth, bite, and oral tissues, and diagnosing any problems that need treatment.
A hygiene appointment is carried out by our hygienist and focuses on the professional cleaning of your teeth and gum margins, the management of gum health, and your home care routine. Both are essential components of good dental care, and many patients book them either together or in close succession.
Not necessarily. Many patients attend hygiene appointments independently as part of their routine care. However, if you have not had a dental check-up for some time, we may recommend combining the two, particularly if it is your first visit to the practice. Please mention this when booking, and our team will advise accordingly.
It may take a little longer, and there may be more calculus to remove, but that is exactly what we are here for.
A thorough catch-up appointment will leave your teeth significantly cleaner and your gums in much better health, and we will always go at a pace that is comfortable for you. Please do not let time away from the hygienist put you off coming in.
For the vast majority of patients, a hygiene appointment is entirely comfortable, and many find it one of the most satisfying dental visits they have.
If you have gum sensitivity, significant calculus, or early gum disease, there may be some mild sensitivity during cleaning, particularly at the gum margin. Your hygienist will take care throughout and can pause at any point if you need a break.
Bleeding gums are the most common sign of early gum disease (gingivitis), and something we take seriously. It is often a sign that plaque is accumulating at the gum line and causing inflammation.
The good news is that gingivitis is highly reversible with professional treatment and improved home care. Please book a hygiene appointment so we can assess the situation and give you the most appropriate advice.
Whether you’re booking your first appointment, have a question about our treatments, or simply want advice on your dental care — our friendly team is here to help.
