Our dental hygienists in Chelsea, available at our dental clinic in London SW3, will improve your oral health and provide a brighter, whiter smile.

Our experienced dental hygienists will perform professional teeth cleaning in London, remove staining, and ensure your gums are healthy.

They will also provide you with oral hygiene advice so you can implement an effective home care routine.

Dental Hygiene Treatments

  • Scale and polish (ultrasonic and/or hand scaling)
  • Deep clean tailored for treating periodontal gum disease
  • Air polish for stain removal
  • Teeth whitening

Dental Hygiene To Treat Gum Disease

A build-up of tartar and bacteria on your teeth can result in gum disease. It’s estimated that gum disease, to some degree, affects more than half of all adults in the UK.

Gingivitis

The most common type is a mild form of gum disease called gingivitis, where bacteria causes inflammation of the gums and results in them becoming red and swollen, and quick to bleed.

Chelsea Dental Clinic

If gingivitis isn’t treated it can advance to periodontitis, where the gum comes away from the teeth and forms spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. Our Chelsea dental clinic will work to prevent this occurrence.

Chelsea Dental

If periodontitis is ignored or untreated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed.

The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed so we recommend contacting The Wellington Clinic’s Chelsea dental clinic before that happens.

Signs & Symptoms of gum disease

  • Bleeding gums
  • Gum recession
  • Loose teeth
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Gum swelling/abscess
  •  Bad breath/Halitosis
  •  An increasing space between the teeth
  • Tooth drifting/movement
  • Tooth mobility
  • Tooth loss

If you suffer from any of these symptoms it may be a sign of a serious problem so book in with our hygienist by calling 020 7148 7148

Why doesn’t the Dentist just clean my teeth instead of the hygienist?

Dental Hygienists are specially trained to look after gums specifically. Thorough cleanings play a major role in maintaining healthy gums and teeth. 

Dental Hygienist London

Hygienists are also specially trained to provide tailored advice to patients to ensure they can have an effective home care routine.

As the hygienist’s main focus is maintaining healthy gums they will have the opportunity to provide you with specific treatment, individual advice and a high standard of clinical care.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes gum disease?

Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria constantly form a sticky, colourless “plaque” on our teeth. Brushing and flossing will help to get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing cannot remove. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

Are there different types of gum disease?

Gingivitis

Gum Disease affects the supporting structures of the teeth. The longer plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums, this is called gingivitis. In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dental hygienist.

Periodontal Disease

When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis (periodontal disease). In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. If ignored or untreated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.

Who gets gum disease?

It is estimated that gum disease affects more than half of all adults in the UK to some degree and most people experience it at least once. It is much less common in children however. There are also some factors that may make you more susceptible to gum disease

Smoking – Need another reason to quit smoking? Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of gum disease. Also, smoking can lower the chances of successful treatment.

Hormonal changes in girls/women –  These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.

Diabetes. – People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing infections, including gum disease.

Other illnesses and their treatments –  Diseases such as AIDS and its treatments can also negatively affect the health of gums, as can treatments for cancer.

Medications – There are hundreds of prescription and over the counter medications that can reduce the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on the mouth. Without enough saliva, the mouth is vulnerable to infections such as gum disease.

Genetic susceptibility – Some people are just more prone to severe gum disease than others due to genetic predisposition.

How is gum disease treated?

Here at The Wellington Clinic our hygienist or Dentist will customise your treatment plan and discuss with you the type and extent of treatment that you may need. The main goals of treatment are to control the infection and ensure you are confident implementing an effective home care routine. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good oral hygiene routine at home.

What is involved in a Deep Cleaning? (Scaling and Root Planing)

The hygienist removes the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.

How can I keep my teeth and gums healthy?

  • Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and electric toothbrush.
  • Floss/ use inter-dental brushes regularly to remove plaque from between teeth.
  • Visit the dentist routinely for a check-up
  • Visit the hygienist  routinely for professional cleanings
  • Eat a well balanced diet
  • Don’t smoke

Why doesn’t the Dentist just clean my teeth instead of the hygienist?

Dental Hygienists are specially trained to look after gums specifically. Thorough cleanings play a major role in maintaining healthy gums and teeth. Hygienists are also specially trained to provide tailored advice to patients to ensure they can have an effective home care routine. As the hygienist’s main focus is maintaining healthy gums they will have the opportunity to provide you with specific treatment, individual advice and a high standard of clinical care.

 

 

To find out more about dental hygiene, or to book an appointment at our dental clinic in London, call 020 7148 7148, email info@thewellingtonclinic.com or send us a message using the below contact form.