The process
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General dentistry · Gum health
Hygiene care, without the scraping
A hygienist appointment removes the plaque, tartar and stain that brushing cannot, and keeps your gums healthy. Sarah Waters, our dental hygienist and therapist, does most of the work with EMS Airflow and gentle ultrasonic instruments, using hand instruments only where needed. You can book direct online. Maintenance appointment £135; treatment appointment £200; Guided Biofilm Therapy £200.
Guide fee
From £135
Booking
Direct, online
With
Sarah Waters
Technology
EMS Airflow
Who it is for
Signs a hygienist visit is due
Gums that bleed
Bleeding when you brush or clean between your teeth is the most common early sign of gum disease. At this stage it is usually reversible with a professional clean and better daily technique.
Stain and build-up
Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking leave stain. Tartar forms where plaque hardens, often behind the lower front teeth. Neither comes off with a toothbrush once it has set.
Bad breath or a bad taste
Persistent bad breath often comes from bacteria below the gumline or on the tongue. Cleaning those areas properly, and showing you how to keep them clean, usually helps.
Braces, aligners, implants or crowns
Brackets, aligner attachments, implants and the edges of crowns all collect plaque. Regular hygiene care protects the work you have paid for and the gum that supports it.
The difference
How it differs from a quick polish
The time goes on your gums
A polish at the end of a check-up tidies the visible surfaces. A hygienist appointment is spent on your gums: assessing them, cleaning along and below the gumline and dealing with the cause of any bleeding.
Airflow first, instruments second
Most of the work is done with EMS Airflow, a stream of warm water and fine powder, and gentle ultrasonic instruments. Hand instruments are used only where stubborn deposits need them.
A hygienist and a therapist
Sarah Waters is both a dental hygienist and a dental therapist. She works alongside our dentists, so anything she notices that needs a dentist's opinion is passed on and followed up.
Coaching you can use
What you do at home each day matters more than what we do in the chair. Sarah shows you where plaque is being missed and which brush and interdental sizes fit your teeth.
01
Assess
Sarah checks your gums for bleeding, inflammation and pocketing, and asks about your routine at home. This sets what the appointment needs to achieve and what can be left alone.
02
Clean
Soft plaque and stain are lifted with Airflow. Hardened tartar is removed with a gentle ultrasonic tip, and hand instruments finish the few areas that need them.
03
Coach
You are shown where plaque collects in your own mouth. Sarah recommends the brush, the interdental sizes and the technique to deal with it, and keeps the routine realistic for a working day.
04
Plan the next visit
We agree an interval that fits your gum health, not a default. If deeper gum treatment is advisable, you receive a written plan and fees before anything is booked.
Afterwards
Aftercare
Your teeth will feel smooth, and your gums may be slightly tender for a day, especially if they were inflamed. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily with the sizes Sarah has recommended. A little bleeding in the first week of a new routine is common. If it continues beyond a fortnight, let us know.
Guide fees
Hygienist maintenance appointment£135
Hygienist treatment appointment£200
Guided Biofilm Therapy with hygienist£200
Guide fees. You receive a written plan with exact costs before treatment starts. See all fees
Common questions
Questions, answered
Can I book a hygienist without seeing a dentist first?+
Yes. You can book a hygienist appointment direct online. A hygiene visit does not replace a dental check-up, and Sarah will suggest one if she sees anything a dentist should look at.
How much does a hygienist appointment cost?+
A hygienist maintenance appointment is £135, a treatment appointment is £200 and Guided Biofilm Therapy with EMS Airflow is £200. If you are unsure which to book, call or WhatsApp 07497 573 936 and we will advise.
Does a hygienist appointment hurt?+
Most people find it comfortable. Airflow uses warm water and fine powder, and the ultrasonic instruments are used gently. Inflamed gums and exposed roots can be sensitive, so tell Sarah and she will adapt the approach.
How often should I see the hygienist?+
It depends on your gums and how quickly you build up plaque and stain. Many people do well with a visit every six months. People with gum disease, implants or braces often benefit from shorter intervals, and we will recommend one for you.
What are the signs of gum disease?+
Bleeding when you brush, red or swollen gums, bad breath, gums that are receding and teeth that feel loose or have drifted. Early gum disease is rarely painful, which is why it goes unnoticed. Smoking can mask bleeding, so its absence is not always reassuring.
Is a hygienist clean different from the polish at a check-up?+
Yes. A polish removes some surface stain. A hygienist appointment assesses your gums, removes plaque and tartar from along and below the gumline and includes coaching on home care. It is treatment for gum health, with cleaner-looking teeth as a result.
Will a hygienist appointment whiten my teeth?+
It removes surface stain, so teeth often look brighter and closer to their natural shade. It does not change the underlying colour of the tooth. For that, ask us about teeth whitening.