Looking to keep your teeth and gums healthy in Thornton Heath?

It is recommended that you come in for regular hygiene appointments to ensure your mouth stays clean and healthy.

Most appointments are very manageable. If your gums are inflamed, you might notice a bit of tenderness or sensitivity, but this often improves as gum health settles with regular care and a good routine at home.

Yes. Hygiene advice can help children build strong habits early, and gentle cleaning can be useful for keeping gums healthy - especially if brushing is a challenge or teeth are crowded.

Yes. Hygiene appointments support gum health and daily prevention, while check-ups focus on your teeth, bite, jaw and overall oral health. They work best as a team.

Your gums help support your teeth and protect the roots underneath. When gums are not looked after, inflammation can start and the tissues that hold teeth in place can become weaker over time. Looking after gums is just as important as looking after teeth.

Early gum disease (gingivitis) can cause red, swollen gums that bleed when brushing. If it is not managed, it can progress into periodontitis, which affects the supporting tissues around the teeth. Over time, this can lead to looseness and, in severe cases, tooth loss. The good news is that regular hygiene care and a consistent home routine can make a big difference.

Bad breath is a very common problem and there are many different causes. Bad breath can be improved by following a daily oral hygiene regime and cutting down on sugary foods and drinks. Regular trips to the hygienist will also ensure your plaque levels are kept under control.

‍

Causes of bad breath include:

‍

• Chronic bad breath usually has an underlying medical cause such as throat, nose or lung infections and sinusitis, bronchitis, gastro-intestinal conditions or diabetes.
• Poor dental hygiene. Without regular brushing and flossing, bacteria and bits of food can get trapped in between your teeth, which release an unpleasant odour after some time.
• Smoking.
• Consuming strong, odorous foods like garlic, onions and coffee.

‍

If you are aware that your breath is not as fresh as you would like it to be, make an appointment with the hygienist for some advice and assistance.

‍

• Fresh breath gives you confidence in social situations.
• Indicates good oral health and clean teeth.
• Healthy gums.

Start with a solid routine - brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth every day, and staying hydrated. Hygiene appointments help reduce plaque levels and support gum health. If you are concerned about persistent bad breath, we can help identify likely causes and give you practical steps to improve it.

Scaling and polishing is the professional cleaning carried out during a hygiene appointment. It involves removing plaque and tartar using specialist instruments, then polishing the teeth to smooth the surfaces and help reduce staining.

A key part of hygiene care is prevention - helping you understand how to clean more effectively and keep plaque levels down at home. If you have implants, bridges, dentures or orthodontic appliances, you may need specific cleaning techniques, and your hygienist can guide you.

Dental hygiene treatment is delivered by a specially trained dental hygienist who will help to remove any hard-to-reach plaque from your teeth that may have built up over time.

‍

Here is what you can expect from a hygiene appointment:

‍

• Your teeth and gums will be assessed to determine the amount of plaque removal you will need and risk factors will be highlighted.
• Your teeth will be professionally cleaned with special equipment and pastes. This process is also known as scaling and polishing.
• The hygienist's role is to show you how to look after your teeth so that they remain free from plaque in the future. You will be advised on the best tooth brushing technique and given tips on flossing and using interdental brushes.

‍

Dental hygiene at our practice also functions preventatively to treat gum disease and bad breath. If you have a bridge, denture, orthodontic treatment or a dental implant you will have specific hygiene needs that the hygienist will be able to assist you with.

Your gums are like cushions for your teeth; they surround the tooth from its crown to its root in the jaw and help to support a healthy mouth. Looking after your gums is just as important as looking after your teeth, and without routine cleaning gum disease can occur.

‍

These are the stages of gum disease:

‍

• Red and swollen gums that bleed when you brush them are a sign of a type of gum disease, gingivitis.
• When gingivitis is left untreated it can develop further into a type of infection known as periodontitis, which affects the entire area surrounding the tooth, causing discomfort and difficulty when eating.
• Eventually this kind of infection can lead to tooth loss and may require invasive procedures to replace the missing tooth.

‍

Fortunately, this can be avoided by attending regular hygiene check-ups at the practice and maintaining a good daily hygiene routine. Brushing between the teeth, flossing and replacing your toothbrush every three months will also benefit your gum health.