Dental Services

Hygiene Services

You only have one smile, for life. Regular hygiene treatments will help keep your smile happy and healthy.

There are two simple steps to good oral hygiene - regular visits to your dentist and hygienist, and good oral health care at home.

It's so important to look after your oral hygiene to keep your teeth and gums healthy and limit the chance of dental problems in the future.

What is it?

Our hygienists are highly trained and enthusiastic about educating patients on the most effective ways to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Hygiene treatments are when a hygienist or oral health therapist examines your mouth to assess the health of your teeth and gums and to look for any signs of disease. They will then do a professional clean and polish, using a combination of modern dental techniques. This removes any bacteria and plaque from above and below the gum surfaces. Once the plaque has been removed, your teeth will be polished, leaving them feeling smooth and fresh.

Your hygienist will then show you how to care for your teeth at home. They will advise you on all aspects of dental hygiene, including the use of toothbrushes and dental floss.

Harnett 1920 1080

Need to know

Appointments

  • 1 single appointment, usually every 6 months

How long it takes

  • Hygiene treatments usually take around 45 – 60 minutes

You may be asked about

  • Your dental history and medical history
  • Your normal oral care routine at home

Before your appointment

  • No special preparation needed

After your appointment

  • You can usually carry on as normal

Quick tip

  • If your hygienist gives you advice about daily dental care like teeth brushing techniques and how often you should floss, write it down. It takes time to build a new habit – some say 21 days or more. In the meantime, here’s a handy idea. Stick your note about your new dental care routine on your bathroom mirror as a daily reminder.

 

Book Online Now

Have questions?

The price of hygiene services varies across practices and locations. The cost of hygiene services can also differ if you are on a plan, such as the Lumino Dental Plan (available at selected practices). When you visit your dentist for a consultation, they will let you know the price of hygiene services and let you know of the offers or plans available at that practice.

You shouldn’t experience any pain while getting hygiene services. However it is normal to feel some discomfort during the services. If you have any questions or concerns about the treatment, make sure you ask the hygienist before the treatment is carried out.

To maintain healthy teeth and gums, we recommend that you visit your clinician and dental hygienist twice a year. This will help diagnose and prevent future problems, including gum disease.

Poor oral hygiene can lead to a number of health concerns, some of them extremely serious if left untreated. Some of the common signs of poor oral health are bleeding gums, swollen or inflamed gums, loose teeth and bad breath. Research also shows a clear link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, including increased risk of stroke and heart attack, premature birth and an increased risk of pneumonia, particularly in elderly patients.

Periodontal (or gum) disease is a process that starts with a biofilm that adheres to the surface of your teeth. Gums first become red, inflamed and swollen. Later, the bone that supports the teeth is eaten away. In the final stages, this leads to tooth loss.

We all have bacteria in our mouth, even if we have great oral hygiene at home. Plaque is formed when this bacteria mixes with food and proteins in your mouth. It’s the sticky, pale yellow film that coats your teeth and gets under your gum line. If plaque stays on your teeth it can harden into tartar and give you even bigger problems. Tartar build-up can’t be removed at home. It needs to be carefully scraped off by a special scaler tool in a dental clinic. The bacteria in plaque and tartar damages the enamel, or outer layer of your teeth. But if you remove it regularly, you can help prevent tooth decay, receding gums and gum disease.