Preventive & Hygiene
Professional cleaning and care that keeps your smile healthy for years to come.
About this treatment
Preventive care is the part of dentistry that aims to prevent problems, or find them early, before larger treatment becomes necessary. It consists of periodic check-ups, professional cleaning, and advice tailored to your situation.
At a check-up the teeth, gums and soft tissues are assessed. Radiographs are taken where needed, to assess areas that are not visible.
At a hygiene appointment, tartar and plaque are removed — including below the gum line, where brushing does not reach. That is where gum inflammation begins.
Who this may suit
This is not a diagnosis. Whether a treatment is appropriate in your situation can only be established during an in-person examination. A conversation may be worthwhile if you recognize the following:
- Anyone who wants to keep their teeth healthy over the long term
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Visible plaque or tartar
- Patients with crowns, bridges, implants or veneers, which need extra maintenance
Recommended for every patient — whether you've had recent treatment or simply want to maintain a healthy, confident smile.
Examination and treatment process
The process differs from patient to patient. In broad terms it looks like this:
Check-up
The teeth, gums, existing restorations and soft tissues are assessed. Radiographs are taken where needed.
Gum assessment
The condition of the gums is recorded, so that changes between visits can be followed.
Professional cleaning
Tartar and plaque are removed and the teeth are polished. How long this takes differs from patient to patient.
Advice and next appointment
You receive specific advice on brushing, cleaning between the teeth, and habits that affect your oral health, and we agree when you come back.
Limitations and realistic expectations
- Preventive care reduces the chance of problems but does not rule them out. Decay and gum disease can occur even with good care.
- Cleaning at the practice does not replace daily care at home; most of the result is achieved at home.
- Existing damage — decay, bone loss, receded gums — is not undone by cleaning.
- How often check-ups and cleaning are needed differs from person to person; there is no single interval that is right for everyone.
Aftercare and maintenance
- Brush twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between the teeth daily, with floss or interdental brushes.
- Attend at the interval agreed for you, including when you have no symptoms.
- Report bleeding gums, sensitivity or a changed bite rather than waiting it out.
Frequently asked questions
This page is general information, not medical advice or a treatment plan. Whether a treatment is suitable and feasible depends on your oral health, the clinical situation and an examination at the practice. Outcomes, duration and cost differ from patient to patient. If you have acute symptoms, pain or a dental emergency, call the practice directly rather than using the contact form.