Hygiene & Prevention
Putting you in control of your dental routine
Dental hygiene services
Healthy smiles mean happy smiles and at Dental House we’re dedicated to making sure that everyone achieves this by maintaining a great oral hygiene routine. Our philosophy is that prevention is better than cure and regular visits to our dental hygienist is the best way to keep you on the right track.
Hygiene appointments at Dental House are designed to improve the overall health of your mouth.
Our dental hygienists have undertaken advanced training in the prevention of oral disease and will give advice regarding any dental concerns you may have. They will help to prevent dental disease, removing hard deposits of tartar and motivating you to prevent it forming again.
What happens at a dental hygiene appointment?
Healthy mouth check
At every hygiene appointment we will perform a ‘healthy mouth check’ where your hygienist will look for signs of gum disease, inflammation and bleeding. During your appointment we’ll also perform an oral cancer screening exam.
Scaling and polishing
Our hygienists are specifically trained to treat and prevent gum disease by scaling and polishing your teeth. Using a gentle and pain-free air flow and polishing system we’ll banish bacteria and remove decay to ensure you leave smiling and your teeth feeling clean and fresh.
Oral care routine
Your hygienist will work with you to help establish a daily oral health routine in between visits – helping to keep your teeth clean, remove surface stains, keep your breath fresh and ultimately prevent disease and decay.
Our dental hygienists are also permitted to apply topical fluorides and fissure sealants to prevent dental decay where required.
Hygienists tips for a healthy smile
- Brush with an electric toothbrush twice a day
- Clean in-between the tooth with floss or interdental stick
- Brush your tongue with a tongue cleaner
- Don’t neglect the gums
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and DO NOT rinse after spitting
- Wait at least 30 mins after eating or drinking before brushing your teeth
- Minimise snacks in between meals
- Regular trips to the hygienists in between dental appointments
Why should I visit the dental hygienist?
Even the best brushing and flossing routines cannot eliminate all traces of plaque. Left on your teeth, plaque becomes hard tartar, which cannot be brushed off. This then traps more plaque and the cycle repeats, causing gum disease and bad breath. Combined with a good oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing twice a day, regular trips to the hygienist in between dental appointments are the best way of ensuring that your teeth stay healthy and strong.
How often should I visit the hygienist?
Just as you should visit your dentist twice a year, you should also aim to visit your hygienist every six months, unless directed otherwise.
Gum disease can often go undetected for long periods of time leading to more serious dental concerns and even tooth loss. If you do suffer from any form of gum disease seeing the Dental Hygienist every 3-6 months is an important part of keeping your teeth long term.
Will it hurt?
At Dental House we invest in the latest advancements and techniques to ensure your appointments are as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Scaling and polishing is generally pain-free, but if you are nervous or do experience any discomfort, please let your hygienist know and they’ll do everything they can to put you at ease.
Air polishing
If you’re looking for treatment that helps your teeth appear brighter and whiter and gives you that clean-teeth feeling, a high-quality Air Polish at Dental House could be just what you need.
An effective stain removal treatment, air polishing is a dental hygienist procedure that uses a fine jet of controlled compressed air, water and fine powder particles to gently remove plaque and stains on the front and back of teeth often caused by tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco. It’s also effective in helping to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease around natural teeth and implants.
Air polishing at Dental House is a gentle and painless process, and unlike traditional teeth polishing techniques does not harm the tooth enamel. In fact, no tool touches the teeth and therefore no pressure or force is applied to the teeth. Suitable for both adults and children, air polishing can also be used on patients with dental implants without any risk of damage.
After an air polish at Dental House our patients notice a real difference to the colour and brightness of their teeth, leaving their teeth feeling smooth, clean, polished and smiling with confidence.
Oral cancer screening
Studies show that mouth cancer is on the increase and early detection can dramatically improve the chances of recovery.
All patients of Dental House are given a thorough yet comfortable mouth cancer screening at each appointment. Our dentists and hygienists have the experience to identify any changes in the tissues of your mouth, tongue and lips, so that they can highlight any risk factors and detect the early signs of mouth cancer.
Mouth cancer symptoms
- Sore mouth ulcers that do not heal within several weeks
- Lumps in the mouth and lymph glands that do not go away
- Pain or difficulty swallowing, eating or speaking
- Red or white patches in your mouth
- Difficulty moving your jaw
If you notice any unusual symptoms between dental visits, please contact us immediately so that we can arrange an appointment. Mouth cancer is normally treatable if detected in the early stages, so it is important to act right away.
Ready to take the next step? Book your consultation online or enquire with our team today
Book a consultation
Booking your consultation online is easy, simply visit our online patient booking portal and pick your preferred day and time - we will then be in touch to confirm your booking.