Dental hygienists play an important part in dental health care and are mainly concerned with preventive dental health and treating gum disease - showing you correct home care and helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

During a visit to our hygienist the bacterial plaque that builds up between visits – which contributes to decay, gum disease and bad breath – is removed leaving your mouth healthy and smelling fresh.

We recommend a visit to the hygienist each time you visit the dentist for your regular appointment to ensure that your oral health is maintained.

The hygienist will focus on removing the plaque and tarter present on your teeth which if left can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and potentially tooth loss. They will also be able to provide individually tailored oral hygiene plans to ensure that you have the right tools and techniques to care for your teeth in between visits.

The hygienist may give advice on lifestyle changes which could help to improve the health of your teeth and gums, for example smoking. Smoking will have a detrimental effect on your teeth, increasing the risk of gum disease and staining. They may also give dietary advice on reducing the number of times you have sugary food and drink throughout the day.