Dental Hygiene

The job of a dental hygienist is to work with you to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy for life. 

At West Dulwich, our dental hygienists focus on a preventative approach for issues such as bleeding gums, bad breath, receding gums, stained teeth and gum disease from occurring. Gum disease is a serious problem and is the number one reason for tooth loss in adults in the U.K.

For these reasons it is important to look after your dental hygiene and visit your dental hygienist every 6 to 12 months. 

Our dental hygienists look after hundreds of patients from West Dulwich, Tulse Hill, Sydenham and West Norwood.  

Let us help you look after your oral health. Book a dental hygiene appointment today. 

Our dental hygienists work with you to prevent and treat oral problems and diseases. The most common dental hygiene treatments that our dental hygienists carry out at West Dulwich Dental include:

Professional teeth cleaning using Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)

A professional clean is essential in maintaining healthy, teeth and gums. GBT is a relatively new treatment that removes harmful plaque known as biofilm on teeth and gums. GBT is a more thorough and gentler professional clean than the traditional scale and polish.

Biofilm cannot be seen on the teeth but must be removed to prevent gum disease and tooth decay from occurring. In keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you increase your general wellbeing and reduce your chances of more serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s, liver disease, strokes, and oral cancer.

Guided Biofilm Therapy uses new technology quickly and painlessly to remove biofilm, calculus and discolouration. GBT uses Airflow, Perioflow and Piezon:

Airflow by EMS – uses air, water and powder particles to gently remove biofilm, discolouration and early calculus.

Perioflow – removes biofilm under the gums to gently clean deep into the periodontal pockets.

Piezon – removes the remaining calculus.

Gum Disease

Dental hygienists spend a lot of time helping patients to prevent gum disease and treating those patients who have gum disease. 

Your dental hygienist will check your teeth for any signs of gum disease such as bleeding gums.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and mostly occurs because of the build-up of plaque or bacteria on your teeth. This can lead to inflammation or soreness of the gums. Gingivitis can be treated, but if left unchecked, it can lead to the more serious stages of gum disease known as periodontitis. 

Halitosis

Halitosis, or bad breath, is caused by bacteria in your mouth. Your dental hygienist can help to remove bacteria through a thorough dental clean.

Dental hygiene advice

Your dental hygienist will discuss ways to help you to maintain a good dental hygiene at home. This may include tips and techniques to effectively brush your teeth and gums and advice on flossing your teeth. Our dental hygienists can also help you with diet and lifestyle advice that promotes good oral hygiene.

It is important that you regularly visit a dental hygienist as well as your dentist because:

• Your teeth will look and feel better after a regular clean which removes plaque and stains to teeth.
• We can eliminate and treat bad breath by removing the bacteria in your mouth.
• We will work with you to keep your mouth healthy and prevent gum disease – the ultimate reason for tooth loss.
• Our hygienists will treat and eliminate gum disease should you develop the first signs known as gingivitis.
• Remove plaque from your teeth which causes staining, cavities and can lead to gum disease.
• Looking after your dental hygiene has proven links to your general health. By taking good care of your teeth, mouth and gums, you can help to prevent serious health problems such as cancer and heart disease from forming.