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Good oral hygiene is one of the most important parts of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Regular visits to a dental hygienist help remove plaque and tartar build-up that brushing and flossing alone may not fully reach, supporting your long-term oral health alongside your daily routine at home.
At Dental Arts Studio in City Road and Enfield, London, our hygienists assess your teeth and gums to recommend a hygiene routine suited to your individual needs, and explain what each treatment involves so you can make an informed decision.
Ready to Book a Hygiene Appointment?
0207 250 3536 (City Road) | 0208 362 3110 (Enfield)
Dental hygiene treatment, often called a “scale and polish,” involves the professional removal of plaque, tartar, and surface staining from the teeth. It is a preventative treatment designed to support healthy teeth and gums between check-ups, rather than treat an existing dental problem.
Hygiene appointments are typically recommended:
How often you need hygiene treatment, and what it involves, depends on your individual oral health, which your hygienist will assess and advise on.
You may want to book a hygiene appointment with our team if you are experiencing:
An assessment with our hygienist will help confirm the most suitable type and frequency of hygiene treatment for you.
Scale and polish
A thorough clean using hand or ultrasonic instruments to remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surface, followed by polishing to smooth the teeth and help reduce future plaque build-up.
Air polishing
A gentler option using a controlled jet of air, water, and fine powder to lift surface staining and soft plaque. Ask our team for more details on this option.
Periodontal (deep) cleaning
For patients with more significant plaque and tartar build-up below the gum line, a more thorough clean may be recommended to help support gum health. This is generally carried out over one or more appointments, depending on your needs.
Oral hygiene advice
Every hygiene appointment includes personalised advice on brushing, interdental cleaning, and other habits that can help you maintain your results between visits.
Initial assessment
Your hygienist will examine your teeth and gums, check for any areas of concern, and ask about your oral hygiene routine and general health.
Discussing your needs
Your hygienist will explain what treatment is recommended, how many visits may be helpful, and answer any questions you have.
Managing expectations
Hygiene treatment supports healthy teeth and gums and helps reduce staining and plaque; it does not replace the need for daily brushing and flossing at home, or treatment for any underlying dental problems identified during your check-up.
Step 1: Assessment
Your hygienist checks your teeth and gums, sometimes measuring gum pockets, to identify areas that need attention.
Step 2: Scaling
Plaque and tartar are carefully removed from the tooth surface, and below the gum line where needed, using hand or ultrasonic instruments.
Step 3: Polishing
Teeth are polished to remove residual surface staining and leave a smooth finish that can help reduce future plaque build-up.
Step 4: Aftercare advice
Your hygienist will go through personalised advice on brushing technique, interdental cleaning, and lifestyle factors that affect your oral health.
For suitable patients, regular hygiene treatment may help:
As with any hygiene treatment, results and how often you need appointments vary between individuals, and your hygienist can discuss what to realistically expect in your case.
The cost of a hygiene appointment depends on the type of treatment recommended and how many visits are needed.
Treatment fees
We provide clear costs before any treatment begins, so you can make an informed decision without pressure.
Payment and finance
Finance options may be available to help spread the cost of treatment where relevant — please ask our team for details.
Want to Know What Hygiene Treatment Suits You?
Looking after your teeth and gums at home helps you get the most from your hygiene appointments.
Most patients are advised to attend every six months, though your hygienist may recommend a different interval based on your individual oral health, such as more frequent visits if you have signs of gum disease.
Most patients find hygiene treatment comfortable, though some may experience mild sensitivity, particularly around areas with more significant plaque or tartar build-up, or sensitive gums. Let your hygienist know if you have any concerns beforehand.
A routine scale and polish addresses plaque and tartar above the gum line, while a periodontal (deep) clean targets build-up below the gum line and is generally recommended where there are signs of gum disease. Your hygienist will advise which is appropriate for you.
Costs vary depending on the type of treatment recommended and the number of visits needed. We provide clear costs before any treatment begins so you know what to expect.
Hygiene treatment can reduce surface staining and improve the appearance of your teeth, but it does not change their natural colour. If you are looking to lighten your tooth colour, ask us about professional tooth whitening.
Removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria through hygiene treatment can help with bad breath linked to poor oral hygiene, alongside a good routine at home. Persistent bad breath should also be discussed with your dentist, as it can have other causes.
Most patients benefit from regular hygiene treatment, though your hygienist will assess your individual gum and tooth health to recommend the most suitable approach and frequency for you.
Regular hygiene visits, alongside good habits at home, are one of the simplest ways to support your long-term oral health. Book an appointment with our team to discuss the right hygiene routine for you.
For patients in Enfield, we offer private dentist appointments at weekends, on Saturdays, and in the evenings where possible, along with same-day dentist availability. Patients from City Road and Old Street can also book corporate dental care or a lunchtime dental checkup to fit around the working day.
0207 250 3536 (City Road) | 0208 362 3110 (Enfield)
For further information, contact us.
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