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Dental Hygienist
A professional dental cleaning, also known as a prophylaxis, is a thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums performed by a dental hygienist. This cleaning includes removal of plaque and tartar, teeth polishing, and a fluoride treatment.
As a dental health-conscious person, you probably already know that your excellent cleaning habits at home will not be enough. It is recommended to get a professional dental cleaning at least every 6 months, or as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist. Some patients may require more regular intervals around every 3-4 months.
Dental Hygienist
Overview
The Procedure
Importance of Oral Hygiene
Prices
Overview
A dental hygienist is a licensed healthcare professional who is trained in preventative oral care. They work under the supervision of a dentist and are responsible for cleaning, scaling and polishing teeth whilst also providing education on proper oral hygiene techniques.
Some of the specific responsibilities of a dental hygienist include:
– Removing plaque and tartar from teeth
– Polishing teeth
– Applying any necessary fluoride treatments
– Educating patients on oral hygiene techniques, such as proper brushing and flossing
– Administering local anaesthesic
The BENEFITS of visiting a dental hygienist include:
– Maintaining good oral health: Regular professional dental hygienist cleanings can help remove plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing cannot, and can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
– Early detection of oral health issues: Dental hygienists are trained to detect early signs of oral health issues such as cavities and gum disease.
– Education on oral hygiene: Dental hygienists provide education on proper oral hygiene techniques and can offer personalised advice on how to maintain good oral health.
– Cost-effective: Visiting a dental hygienist will help to prevent more expensive dental treatments in the future caused by decay or poor oral hygiene maintenance.
Overall, dental hygienists play a vital role in maintaining good oral health by providing preventative care and education. They work closely with dentists to ensure that patients receive the best possible care for their teeth and gums.
Do you feel confident with your teeth and breath?
Confidence is significantly affected by how you feel about your teeth and mouth. If you are worried about bad breath or that they don’t look as clean as they should, then book a check-up and hygiene cleaning appointment now.
Dental Hygienist Direct Access:
Direct access refers to the ability for patients to see a dental hygienist or therapist without first having to see a dentist. In the UK, Direct access allows patients to self-refer to a dental hygienist or therapist for a range of treatments, such as scaling and polishing, without the need for a referral from a dentist. It is a system that allows patients to have more control over their oral health by giving them the option to seek care directly from a dental hygienist or therapist.
Direct access is based on the principle that dental hygienists and therapists are highly qualified and experienced professionals who can provide a range of preventative and therapeutic treatments to patients. They are able to make clinical decisions within their scope of practice and refer patients to a dentist when necessary.
It is important to note that Direct access is not available for all treatments, some procedures such as fillings, extractions, and crowns can only be performed by a dentist.
The Procedure
Hygiene cleans will usually happen on the same day as your regular dental check-ups. It is common practice for you to visit the hygienist before seeing the dentist and saves you having to make several visits.
Dental hygiene cleaning is a painless and preventive measure that everyone needs. There are parts of your mouth that can only be cleaned using professional tools and methods.
A dentist or qualified dental hygienist will use professional tools to clean your mouth, teeth, and gums thoroughly.
Having the treatment significantly decreases your chances of dental issues such as tartar, cavities, and gum disease.
At Holford Partners Curaden you can expect to undergo a painless and comfortable hygiene cleaning.
Our process will include:
1. Brief Inspection: An assessment of the state of your gums via BPE (Basic Periodontal Examination).
2. Ultrasonic and Hand Scaling: Then the next step of the process is a dental cleaning, and you will have procedures that do not produce odd and loud noises. Due to our high-tech equipment those sounds are now thankfully a thing of the past.
3. Polishing Brush/Airflow Treatment: You will then undergo complimentary air flow dental cleaning to remove particles and stains, after which you will have a pre-antimicrobial rinse. Most dental practices will charge extra for this service but here at Holford Partners Curaden we believe it should be included as part of your routine hygiene visit. You don’t have to pay extra for great results.
4. Fluoride Treatment (if necessary): Finally, the dental hygienist will apply CHX Gel if deemed necessary by your dentist following your routine dental check-up.
Before going home, your dental hygienist will praise you for what you are doing right and give detailed advice on how to improve things you may not be doing so well when cleaning your teeth at home.
Importance of Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is important for a number of reasons. Maintaining good oral hygiene can help prevent a variety of oral health issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and tooth loss.
– Tooth decay: Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth, can produce acids that can erode tooth enamel, causing cavities and tooth decay. Regular brushing and flossing can help remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
– Gum disease: Plaque can also build up below the gum line, causing inflammation and infection of the gums, also known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss.
– Bad breath: Plaque and bacteria can also cause bad breath, also known as halitosis. Regular oral hygiene practices can help remove plaque and bacteria and prevent bad breath.
– Tooth loss: If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. Maintaining good oral hygiene can help prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
Additionally, oral hygiene is also important for overall health, as research has linked poor oral hygiene to other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, visiting a dentist or hygienist regularly, and eating a healthy diet can help prevent these oral health issues and promote overall health and well-being.
Prices
How much does a hygienist teeth cleaning cost?
Our standard dental hygiene appointment will last approximately 45minutes.
This includes ultra sonic scaling and hand scaling, tooth polishing and airflow polishing at no additional charge. Most dental clinics will charge extra for airflow polishing but at Holford Partners Curaden we include it in your hygiene session.
If you require deeper scaling the dental hygienist may recommend you visit for additional appointments and they may request a longer appointment for your next visit.
DENTAL HYGIENE CLEAN (including airflow polishing) ……………….. from £138
Dental Hygienist
Our Team of Dental Hygienists
Dental Hygienist
Clean The Teeth That You Want To Keep
The statement might sound funny, but you have to practice excellent oral care habits if you want to keep all of your teeth.
These habits must include at least twice a year visits at a dental practice like Holford Partners Curaden for regular check-ups, and professional hygiene cleans.
Dental Hygienist
What will the Dental Hygienist do?
The General Process
When you go to a clinic like Holford Partners Curaden, there will be several simple steps that will occur during your hygiene cleaning.
Dental Hygienist
The General Process
When you go to a clinic like Holford Partners Curaden, there will be several simple steps that will occur during your hygiene cleaning.
Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienist
Step 1 | Brief Inspection
Step 2 | Ultrasonic & Hand Scaling
Step 3 | Polishing Brush Treatment
Step 4 | Airflow Polishing Treatment
Step 5 | Floss and Rinse
Step 6 | Flouride Treatment
Step 1 | Brief Inspection
A dental hygienist is usually the one performing the cleaning process.
But before starting any treatment, the hygienist will begin with a basic inspection of your teeth and gums to assess the level of staining and plaque build-up.
The dental hygienist will use a small mirror to closely inspect your teeth and gums for any signs of gum problems and other concerns.
Some underlying issues such as caries or cavities can not always be identified by the hygienist which is why you should attend regular check-ups with your dentist alongside your hygiene clean.
Step 2 | Ultrasonic & Hand Scaling
Using a small mirror for guidance, the routine dental hygienist uses a scaler tool to get rid of tartar and plaque around and under your gum line. They also clean between your teeth.
You can expect to hear scraping, which is expected in most clinics when it comes to scaling. At Holford Partners Curaden, we use an ultrasonic scaler that uses water and gentle vibrations. Hand scaling is also used to remove tougher deposits of tartar and plaque.
If you have a significant amount of tartar in your mouth, the more time your hygienist will need for scaling.
While brushing and flossing stop plaque from building up, sometimes it can be easy to miss spots, and the plaque hardens into tartar. You cannot remove tartar on your own, and you need a hygienist to do it for you with the scaler.
Step 3 | Polishing Brush Treatment
After scaling, your mouth is 99% entirely rid of tartar. So, the next step is brushing your teeth with a high-powered polishing brush.
You can expect a noise during this step, but it is entirely safe and painless. So, there is nothing to worry about.
This step does a deep clean, removing any tartar left from the previous step.
The hygienist will use a toothpaste that has a gritty consistency, but with the familiar toothpaste flavor and smell, you know. But you should know that this kind of toothpaste is only safe to use in the hands of a professional.
You might damage your enamel if you do it yourself.
At Holford Partners Curaden, our procedures are more comfortable, and you can expect to not feel any discomforts.
Step 4 | Airflow Polishing Treatment
For that extra clean feeling we provide complimentary airflow polishing which uses a high-powered combination of compressed air, fine powder and water to deep clean your teeth and rid them of stains and dental plaque.
Airflow polish will remove stains removed from the surface of your teeth as well as between teeth. Polishing does not harm the tooth enamel and can be used on dental implants without the risk damage.
You can expect to be left with a super-smooth feeling that will certainly make you want to smile after.
Step 5 | Floss and Rinse
Your regular flossing will never beat an expert flossing session with the hygienist. An expert can effectively get deep between your teeth.
Next, the hygienist will let you rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash to eliminate any debris. At Holford Partners Curaden, we have a more specialized rinse, more of that later in the service description.
Step 6 | Flouride Treatment
Finally, if necessary you may be prescribed by your dentitst to receive a fluoride treatment before leaving. This treatment can protect your teeth against cavities for several months.
Often, a hygienist can offer you flavour options so you can pick a preference. After you have made a choice, the hygienist will place the fluoride treatment into a mouthpiece that is made to fit over your teeth.
The fluoride solution is often a foamy gel but is sometimes a sticky paste. And you will have to leave the treatment on your teeth for a minute.
Aside from the gel, the hygienist will apply a fluoride varnish on your teeth using a brush. The varnish hardens when it comes in contact with saliva.
After the entire session, you are free to eat. And, you can come back for another session after six months or less.
Dental Hygienist
Professional
Cleaning
Prevents
Disease
CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL TEETH
Clean teeth are always a social empowerment for anyone, and when you are self conscious about how clean your teeth are and scared that you may have bad breath, you will lose your confidence. So, get your teeth cleaned.
EXCELLENT ORAL HEALTH
Regular professional hygiene cleans by an accredited expert hygienist will significantly help you maintain your oral health. Along with excellent habits, exercise, and diet, you will have healthy teeth and overall wellness.
DISEASE PREVENTION
Professional cleaning removes plaque that builds up in your teeth, and it also eliminates tartar (hardened plaque) effectively. These are made up of bacteria that can cause severe diseases. Mitigate problems with dental hygiene cleans.
Professional
Cleaning
Prevents
Disease
CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL TEETH
Clean teeth are always a social empowerment for anyone, and when you are self conscious about how clean your teeth are and scared that you may have bad breath, you will lose your confidence. So, get your teeth cleaned.
EXCELLENT ORAL HEALTH
Regular professional hygiene cleans by an accredited expert hygienist will significantly help you maintain your oral health. Along with excellent habits, exercise, and diet, you will have healthy teeth and overall wellness.
DISEASE PREVENTION
Professional cleaning removes plaque that builds up in your teeth, and it also eliminates tartar (hardened plaque) effectively. These are made up of bacteria that can cause severe diseases. Mitigate problems with dental hygiene cleans.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, professional hygiene cleans should be painless, however we are all sometimes guilty of not taking our oral hygiene as seriously as we should. This can sometimes result in some sensitivity and discomfort following your teeth cleaning with the hygienist however this will subside quickly. The more frequently you floss and visit the hygienist the more comfortable and pain free your visits will be.
We use the latest innovations and practices to provide the most comforting, relaxing and painless hygiene cleans. Our skilled hygiene team will be able to provide you with a service that will make you want to return.
Your child can undergo professional hygiene cleaning as early as 12-36 months. By this age, your kid would have a significant number of teeth that you have to take care of.
Regular cleans and visits to the dentist are vital in taking care of a child’s oral health. This is because you would want your child to avoid bad cases of plaque and tartar that can lead to costly and avoidable treatments.
After all, kids love sweet and sugary food that effectively attracts bacteria.
Apart from brushing at least twice a day, flossing, using interdental brushes, and using child-friendly mouthwash, your child must start the habit of visits to the dentist and hygienist early.
Be an excellent model to your child and come together to the practice at least twice a year. Choose a place like Holford Partners Curaden, where there are general denitsts and specialists for all your needs, including paediatric dentistry that is best for your child.
On average we recommend you visit the hygienist every 3-4 months to keep on top of your oral hygiene and remove all plaque and stains that can quickly build up between each visit.
Some people who are genetically predisposed or maintain very good oral hygiene may be advised to visit the hygienist every 6 months.
Each individuals oral hygiene varies from patient to patient so if your visiting the hygienist for the first time, be sure to find out how often you need to return for your hygiene clean.
Unfortunately, we don’t offer home service because we use high-tech equipment that is not portable. So, please contact us for a scheduled professional dental cleaning, and we will make sure that you will feel at home.
Our practice offers a warm and comfortable ambiance, and our staff is composed of expert customer service people who will cater to any dental need you might have.
In the United Kingdom, dental hygienists are regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC) and are able to practice independently within their scope of practice. They are able to perform procedures such as scaling and polishing teeth and providing oral hygiene instruction without the direct supervision of a dentist.
However, dental hygienists must work within the framework of care provided by the dentist, who is ultimately responsible for the overall care of the patient. You will need to sign a direct access form which allows you to see the hygienist without seeing a dentist.
As with other countries, if the hygienist finds any suspicious or abnormal conditions during the cleaning, they will typically refer you to the dentist for further evaluation and treatment.
If you have any further questions about what to expect in your dental hygiene visits or if you wish to find out more on costs, please call us on 020 7499 9806 or email us at sm***@ho************.com .
- 1st Floor, 73 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1S 1RS
- 020 7499 9806
- smile@holfordcuraden.com
- 1st Floor 73 New Bond Street Mayfair London W1S 1RS
- 020 7499 9806
- smile@holfordcuraden.com
