Dental Hygiene in Chatham, Kent

Dental hygiene from just £48 – get in touch to book your appointment today.
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Preserve & Restore Your Oral Health With Dental Hygiene

What is dental hygiene?

Maintaining good dental hygiene is a vital part of maintaining overall good oral health. Dental hygiene focuses on preventing oral diseases, such as gum disease and tooth decay.

Hygiene appointments will help prevent gum disease and dental decay. While your oral care routine at home does most of the work when it comes to removing plaque from your teeth, a professional clean will help remove any build-up. Hygienists are trained in cleaning away plaque and tartar deposits, protecting your smile from bacteria.

Why are hygiene appointments important?

Your oral health depends on your gums. Your dental hygienist is best placed to look after your gum health, preventing gum disease and removing any bacteria that is already irritating your gums. Gum disease, if left untreated, can cause gums to recede and can be a contributing factor to tooth loss. As gum disease also has links to health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, keeping your gums as healthy as possible will help your overall health as well.

The symptoms of gum disease are mild, so it is often overlooked. We carry out a check during the appointment to spot gum disease, putting us in a position to catch it before it can worsen.

Top reasons to book your hygiene appointment

Step 1: Prevents dental issues from developing

Regular visits to your hygienist help prevent periodontal and gum disease from developing.

Step 2: Feel more confident with a lighter, brighter smile

Stains, plaque, and tartar will be removed during your hygienist appointment, leaving your teeth whiter and brighter.

Step 3: Fresh breath

As your hygienist can reach parts that normal brushing can’t reach, you will have fresher breath and cleaner teeth, giving you a healthier mouth.

Step 4: Oral health tips and advice

Your hygienist can demonstrate how to clean and floss teeth more effectively, so you can maintain a cleaner and healthier mouth in between your appointments.

Step 5: Screening for mouth cancer and other oral diseases

As part of your appointment, your hygienist will do a mouth cancer screening check to spot any warning signs early on.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Swollen gums
Bright red or purplish gums
Gums that bleed easily
Receding gums
Bad breath
Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Pus between your teeth and gums
New spaces developing between teeth
Painful chewing
Loose teeth or loss of teeth

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gum disease?

If plaque builds up around the teeth and gum line, the gum tissues can become inflamed. The irritated gums often bleed while brushing, making them susceptible to the bacteria in the mouth. Swollen, red gums are often one of the first signs of the early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. Other symptoms include tooth sensitivity and bad breath.

Will my dental hygiene treatment hurt?

Often the anticipation of going to the dentist or dental hygienist is much worse than the actual visit. Listening to people with past bad dental experiences heightens anxiety. However, we aim to create a calm and relaxed environment. There can be an element of discomfort, and sometimes tooth sensitivity can be experienced. We will ensure you know what to expect before any treatment. We will also be guided by you and if you feel any pain, we will stop immediately to give you a break.

How often do I need to see the hygienist?

The amount of time between appointments for visiting your hygienist is specific to each individual patient. This will be based on the condition of your teeth and gums, the speed you build up tartar/calculus, staining, and your susceptibility to periodontitis. For simple tartar/calculus or stain removal, a three-monthly visit is usually enough. If there is any bone loss or unstable periodontal disease present, then more frequent visits may be advised.

What happens during a hygiene appointment?

The main part of your hygiene appointment involves a routine scale and polish. This deep-clean removes stubborn tartar from all the hard-to-reach areas. This is then followed by a professional polish – which leaves your teeth feeling smoother, cleaner, and brighter. As well as a deep clean, we will advise you on how to properly care for your teeth and gums. We can show you how to use interdental cleaning tools properly so you can keep up the hard work at home.

Why does gum disease occur?

Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. If this sticky substance is not removed, it can turn into hard tartar and start to irritate the gums, leading to redness and soreness. Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into bigger problems for your mouth such as periodontitis. This means the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These pockets can collect debris that can become infected. In some people, their immune system can overreact and start to break down the gum tissue and even the bone that supports the tooth.

What are the stages of gum disease?

The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, which can cause gums to separate from the teeth, creating pockets that can get infected. These pockets, over time, will deepen, the gums will continue to recede, and eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

Our healthy hygiene results

Here’s what our patients think…

Fantastic service! I took my autistic son to them today they couldn’t have been more caring, made us both feel very welcome and calm. It was the first time my son ever had an x-ray. The lady spoke calmly to him all through it and the dentist was also a lovely lady. My son came out of there full of smiles telling me they are really nice. He wants to keep going here which makes me as his mum happy. I totally trust this dentist they are the best dentist we have been to 😊 Bryony Finch

Have been with this dental practice for many years and I am always happy with the treatment I receive. I am a nervous patient but everyone there takes time to explain what is happening and I finally have a dentist I can trust. Definitely recommend to family and friends. Claire Stevens

What happens during a hygiene appointment?

As well as a deep clean, we will advise you on how to properly care for your teeth and gums. We can show you how to use interdental cleaning tools properly so you can keep up the hard work at home.

Book your Dental Hygiene Appointment Today!

What our patients say

Testimonials

Have been with this dental practice for many years and i am always happy with the treatment i receive. I am a nervous patient but everyone there takes time to explain what is happening and I finally have a dentist i can trust. Definitely recommend to family and friends.
- Claire Stevens
- Chatham Dentists Patient
Fantastic service! I took my autistic son to them today they couldnt of been more caring , made us both feel very welcome and calm. It was the first time my son ever had an x-ray. The lady spoke calmly to him all through it and the dentist was also a lovely lady. My son came out of there full of smiles telling me they are really nice. He wants to keep going here which makes me as his mum happy.I totally trust this dentist they are the best dentist we have been to 🙂
- Bryony Finch
- Chatham Dentists Clinic Patient
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Saldkhar for repair to a chipped tooth. Both Dr. Saldkhar and her dental assistant were extremely professional and thorough in their work. I am extremely happy with the final result. All staff at the practice are extremely knowledgeable and friendly in their respective roles. I am more than happy to provide referrals in future should anyone require a holistic dental practitioners.
- Darren Willers
- Chatham Dentists Patient