Hygiene Services
For top-notch teeth and gums
We offer a dental hygienist service at the practice and this is contracted on an independent basis. Please note that NHS regulations do not permit direct access to dental hygienists and all NHS treatment must be prescribed by the dentist. We do not have the capacity or the appointment availability to provide NHS Band-1 treatments with the hygienist. These NHS treatments will be provided by your dentist and normally at the same time as your check-up appointment. However, seeing the hygienist can have additional benefits, such as fine stain removal for whiter teeth.
We professionally clean your teeth with a thorough ‘scale and polish’. This removes plaque and stubborn tartar, which can harbour the bacteria that causes gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis, characterised by redness, swelling and bleeding. If this is not treated, it can develop into periodontitis, a more serious stage of the disease that can potentially cause tooth loss. As well as being a refreshing, cleansing treatment ‘scaling and polishing’ also leaves the teeth with a smooth, silky finish which can help prevent further plaque from forming.
We check your teeth and gums for signs of gum disease and demonstrate the best way to care for your teeth, including showing you how to brush and clean between your teeth using floss or inter-dental brushes.
At The Smile Centre, our hygienist uses an air polishing system which eliminates stains by blasting them with a concentrated mix of water, air and powder. This is especially effective in difficult to reach areas of your mouth.
Seeing us regularly for hygiene treatments not only ensures the health of your teeth and gums, but also contributes to your general well-being because poor oral health has been linked to serious conditions, such as heart disease and strokes.
Don’t forget to bring your children to see us as early as possible, so they can get used to having cleaning treatments and pick up handy tooth care tips. We also offer prevention clinics run by our qualified dental nurses especially for children.