A hygiene appointment does much more than polish your teeth. It is one of the most useful things you can do to keep your gums healthy and to spot problems early.

1. Health and habits review

Your hygienist or therapist will ask about your general health, medicines, smoking and diet. Conditions such as diabetes, and some medicines, can affect your gums.

2. Gum assessment

A quick screening, often called a BPE, checks how healthy the gums are around each part of the mouth. If needed, more detailed measurements are recorded so changes can be tracked over time.

3. Removing plaque and tartar

Hardened deposits (tartar) can’t be removed by brushing. They are cleaned away above and, where needed, below the gumline using hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler.

4. Stain removal

Surface staining from tea, coffee or red wine can be reduced with polishing or air polishing. This does not change the natural shade of your teeth. That would be tooth whitening, which is a separate treatment.

5. Advice that fits you

You will be shown which interdental brush sizes suit you, how to angle your toothbrush along the gumline, and how to adapt your routine if you have crowns, implants, braces or aligners.

How often should I go?

This depends on your gum health and risk factors. Some people benefit from visits every three months, others less often. We will recommend an interval based on your assessment.

Book through our dental hygiene page, or see our membership plans, which include regular hygiene visits.

Contact Dental Wellness Finchley Road

Dental Wellness Finchley Road, 106 Finchley Rd, South Hampstead, London NW3 5JJ.

Call 020 3813 3848, message us on WhatsApp (07522 141064), email smile@dentalwellnessfinchleyroad.co.uk or book online.