Dental Hygienist Henley

A dentist will usually advise you how often you should see a hygienist, depending on your specific oral health.

We would recommend that you should see a dental hygienist every 6 months as a minimum. This ensures you keep an eye on your gum health, and the hygienist can help you do that by monitoring any changes and removing any plaque build up in-between your check-ups with the dentist.

A scale and polish that your dentist has advised is clinically required can be completed on the NHS for £23.80 (Band 1).

If deeper scaling is clinically required this can also be completed on the NHS for £65.20 (Band 2).

We also offer dental hygiene appointments on a private basis and you can see the costs here.

It is extremely rare that a visit to a dental hygienist will result in damage to your gums.

As with anything there is always a risk of something going wrong but thankfully it is extremely rare.

Yes. When a dental hygienist performs a scale and polish, it also removes stains.

If you have extensive staining or discolouration of your teeth you may also benefit from teeth whitening.

Yes. Bad breath is often caused by bacteria in your mouth under the gum line or gum disease. Both are problems that dental hygienists specialise in dealing with.

A build-up of tartar and bacteria on your teeth can result in gum disease. It’s estimated that gum disease, to some degree, affects more than half of all adults in the UK.

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease, where bacteria causes inflammation of the gums and results in them becoming red and swollen, and quick to bleed. If gingivitis isn’t treated it can advance to periodontitis, where the gum comes away from the teeth and forms spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected.

Our hygienists will carry out a teeth cleaning procedure to prevent this occurrence. If periodontitis is ignored or untreated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed so we recommend contacting us before that happens.

Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria constantly form a sticky, colourless “plaque” on our teeth. Brushing and flossing will help to get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing cannot remove. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

The following are typical signs & symptoms of Gum Disease:

• Bleeding gums
• Gum recession
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Gum swelling/abscess
• Bad breath/Halitosis
• An increasing space between the teeth
• Tooth drifting/movement
• Tooth mobility
• Tooth loss

If you suffer from any of these symptoms it may be a sign of a serious problem so make sure you contact us to book an appointment here.

Not only is good dental hygiene important to prevent tooth loss, keep your gums healthy and ensure that your smile is kept white and bright, but good dental hygiene is also necessary for your overall health. Many diseases’ first symptoms show in the mouth, and if you practise good dental hygiene, you’ll be able to notice a change in your teeth and gums right away. Additionally, periodontal disease increases your body’s burden of inflammation, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Dental Hygienists are specially trained to look after gums specifically. Thorough cleanings play a major role in maintaining healthy gums and teeth. Hygienists are also specially trained to provide tailored advice to patients to ensure they can have an effective home care routine. As the hygienist’s main focus is maintaining healthy gums they will have the opportunity to provide you with specific treatment, individual advice and a high standard of clinical care.

Hygienists are also specially trained to provide tailored advice to patients to ensure they can have an effective home care routine. It’s important to supplement your teeth cleaning with a strict dental hygiene regime. As the hygienist’s main focus is maintaining healthy gums they will have the opportunity to provide you with specific treatment, individual advice and a high standard of clinical care.

It is estimated that gum disease affects more than half of all adults in the UK to some degree and most people experience it at least once. It is much less common in children however. There are also some factors that may make you more susceptible to gum disease.

• Smoking – Need another reason to quit smoking? Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of gum disease. Also, smoking can lower the chances of successful treatment.
• Hormonal changes in girls/women – These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
• Diabetes. – People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing infections, including gum disease.
• Other illnesses and their treatments – Diseases such as AIDS and its treatments can also negatively affect the health of gums, as can treatments for cancer.
• Medications – There are hundreds of prescription and over the counter medications that can reduce the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on the mouth. Without enough saliva, the mouth is vulnerable to infections such as gum disease.
• Genetic susceptibility – Some people are just more prone to severe gum disease than others due to genetic predisposition.

Our hygienist or Dentist will customise your treatment plan and discuss with you the type and extent of treatment that you may need. The main goals of treatment are to control the infection and ensure you are confident implementing an effective home care routine. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up a good oral hygiene routine at home.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and electric toothbrush.
• Floss/ use inter-dental brushes regularly to remove plaque from between teeth.
• Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up.
• Visit the hygienist routinely for professional cleanings.
• Eat a well balanced diet.
• Don’t smoke.