Dental Hygiene

Healthy teeth are underpinned by healthy gums, and dental hygiene therapy plays a vital role in maintaining good oral health and general wellbeing.

Regular visits to the hygienist should be booked alongside dental check-ups, as your dentist and hygienist play different roles when it comes to your smile.

What to expect during a visit to the hygienist

Here at Stoke Bishop Dental Centre, your hygienist will examine your gum health and educate you on preventative measures to avoid the onset of gum disease. They will also perform hygiene therapy, which is a deep cleaning of your teeth to remove plaque that inevitably builds up between visits, and remove any light staining that can’t be removed through brushing and flossing at home. We can also offer Airflow® polishing, a state-of-the-art method of tooth polishing performed without the use of scraping tools.

The benefits of regular hygienist appointments

• Learn about your unique hygiene needs – everyone is different, and regular hygienist appointments will help you maintain healthy gums in the long-term.
• Ensure your teeth are plaque and scale-free, protecting your tooth enamel.
• Maintain a fresh breath.
• Avoid the need for more complex treatment down the line.

Seeing a hygienist regularly as they can:

• Prevent gum disease
• Stop gums bleeding
• Keep breath fresh
• Reduce your risk of conditions related to poor gum health, such as heart disease
• Teach you how to keep your teeth healthy for life

Even if your teeth look and feel OK, gum disease can gradually and unnoticeably inflict significant damage. It is rarely painful but can cause bleeding gums, bad breath and possible tooth loss. A hygienist’s chief contribution to dental health is to help you avoid gum disease and decay, so you can keep your own teeth, for life, and your need for dental treatment is greatly reduced. Recent research has also shown a link between periodontal disease (severe gum disease) and other health concerns like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

What happens during a hygiene session?

Our hygienists will assess your current level of oral hygiene and carry out a full scale and polish, as well as demonstrating oral care techniques such as flossing and brushing.

How often should I see a hygienist?

This will depend on your risk of gum disease. Risk factors include having a personal susceptibility and having had restorative treatments. We will advise you how often you should have a hygiene appointment, which can range from every three months to once a year.

Do I need to see a dentist first?

No. Since a change in the law (in 2013), patients can now see a dental hygienist without being referred by a dentist.

Steps To Health

Achieving and keeping a healthy mouth is a joint effort, please click here for information on our Oral Health Pathway.

Give us a call on 0117 968 4888 to book an appointment for a refreshing deep clean (and more!)