Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, dentistry has changed a lot over the last couple of years.

You are no longer obligated to see the hygienist in the same practice as your dentist, and likewise if you book a hygiene appointment at the hygiene clinic you are not obligated to register with our dentist.

If you pay privately to see a hygienist then you are entitled to choose where you go and who you see.

There is no definitive answer to this question as it varies from person to person depending on need. The recommended frequency is determined by several factors, for example, how good your daily oral hygiene routine is. It is also dependant on whether you have active gum disease or are at higher risk of developing gum disease, if you have a general medical condition or lifestyle factor that makes you more susceptible to gum problems, or if you have orthodontic appliances, implants or restorations that need more frequent attention and monitoring.

We will assess all of these factors when you attend for an appointment and recommend a frequency suitable for you.

It is our aim at The Dental Hygiene Clinic to make your treatment as pain free and pleasant as possible, we will always be as gentle as we can. Most people don’t experience any discomfort during the treatment but on occasion if you suffer from gum recession, swelling or irritation there is a risk of sensitivity or tenderness.

Should you experience any discomfort at all we have several options available including local anaesthetic and desensitising paste.

We want your experience in our clinic to be a positive one so will always strive to make it as comfortable as we can.

There are a mind boggling number of different toothpastes available on the market these days, most of them with grand claims as to why they are better than all the rest. How you use it is the biggest factor in how effective your toothpaste is. You could be using the best toothpaste on the market with an ineffective brushing technique and sadly it wouldn’t protect your teeth. If you have a great brushing technique AND a great toothpaste you minimise your risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease. There are many great toothpastes to choose from, some of them specialising in certain things like sensitivity, whitening or tartar control. When you attend the clinic we’ll advise you if we feel you require a specialist toothpaste and suggest an appropriate one.

At The Dental Hygiene Clinic we feel fluoridated toothpaste is the most effective way to prevent tooth decay, however, we’re aware that some people would prefer not to use fluoride and we always respect personal choice. Should this be the case we will suggest alternatives and give you appropriate dietary advice.

We can also provide advice should you suffer from allergies and require an SLS free toothpaste or if you have ethical objections to certain products we will suggest PETA endorsed alternatives.

Yes sadly you do, for all the same reasons that you need to brush every day! Cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes removes the build up that your toothbrush can’t reach. Cleaning these areas daily means you are removing the sticky plaque deposits while they are still soft. If you miss days with the floss or brushes then the build up will have a chance to harden into tartar, making it more difficult or even impossible to remove with your floss or brushes.

The biggest cause of discoloured teeth is external staining caused by food, drink, smoking etc. Having your teeth professionally cleaned and polished will remove any surface stains and restore them to their natural colour.

At the Dental Hygiene Clinic we can provide an Air Polishing treatment to remove stains. The air polisher projects a jet of compressed air, water and fine powder particles onto the surface of the tooth to polish the surface and remove debris. Plaque, soft deposits and stains disappear quickly and painlessly.

Very few people have naturally white teeth, most people have varying shades of yellow. If you are unhappy with your natural shade after the external stains have been removed then tooth whitening is also available at the clinic.