Dental Hygiene in London

Superbly clean teeth are key to a confident smile, fresh breath, and overall health. Regular hygiene sessions help keep your teeth sparkling by removing plaque and preventing issues like cavities and gum disease. It's a simple step to protect your smile and keep it feeling great for years to come.

Treatment
45-60 minutes

Price
From £180

Team Experience
25+ years

Recovery Time
None

Google Rating
★★★★★ (4.9)

Examples of our work

Written by: Ms Jennifer Boardman

Clinically reviewed by: Dr Raul Costa

Table of Contents
    Home » Dental Hygienist

    Preventing tooth damage through Prophylaxis

    At Wimpole Street Dental Clinic in London, we focus on preventative dental care with regular check-ups by specialised dentists and dental hygienists. Our motto is “Prevent rather than cure!”

    A lovely smile can be captivating – having clean, healthy teeth looks and feels great – and our aim is to achieve long-term dental health in partnership with you. We invest in ongoing training for our preventative care department to provide you with the best possible services. This includes professional teeth cleaning in our London clinic, as well as additional options for optimal preventative care to preserve your natural teeth. Our lead dental hygienist and business owner, Mrs Jennifer Boardman, prioritises tailored treatments and personalised prophylaxis plans. She has achieved the highest grades at the prestigious Eastman Dental Institute at the University College London and finished her three-year studies with distinction.

    Why is it crucial to visit a dental hygienist to maintain healthy teeth?

    To maintain healthy teeth and a strong bite as you age, regular dental cleanings are essential. Despite thorough home care, some areas of teeth are hard to reach, allowing harmful bacteria to grow. Even regular flossing may not prevent plaque build-up and potential disease. For a deep cleaning, visit our dental clinic in London.

    Regular professional teeth cleaning also targets gaps between teeth and effectively eliminates tartar. The process is typically painless, allowing patients to unwind in the skilled care of our hygiene team. Following the treatment, you will depart our clinic with visibly cleaner and brighter teeth. Our London experts can advise you on enhancing your home brushing routine and identifying areas of your teeth that are prone to plaque.

    Regular checkups with a dental therapist and professional teeth cleaning not only protect you from costly dental repairs, but also from dangerous systemic diseases. Oral health sciences are now unanimous that untreated periodontitis increases the risk of serious systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or pregnancy complications. Professional teeth cleaning with us in London, therefore contributes to maintaining both dental and general health.

    Patient Journey
    Jennifer Boardman

    How does dental hygiene treatment work at our London practice

    Professional teeth cleaning is performed exclusively by our specialized staff. For all of our hygiene appointments, we use a technique called Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), and we have been one of the first adopters here in the United Kingdom. GBT is a modern and evidence-based approach to dental hygiene focused on effectively removing biofilm without damaging the tooth surfaces. GBT uses a combination of advanced technology, specialised instruments, and minimally invasive techniques to clean teeth more efficiently and comfortably than traditional methods.

    It is very effective in both routine cleanings and in managing serious conditions like periodontal disease. Initially, we reveal all the bacteria and biofilm present and have a conversation with you about the most effective brushing method. Using the EMS water/glycerin solution, we clean your natural or restored teeth effectively. Especially for implant-supported restorations or dental implants underneath dentures, we can use this powder jet technology (Air-Flow®) as it gently removes plaque and discolouration without damaging the ceramic. If any tough tartar remains, we employ ultrasound for its removal. A subsequent high-gloss polish and fluoridation ensure a radiant smile.

    We ensure your teeth and gums are not harmed during cleaning and frequently check for any discomfort. Our skilled dental hygienist can slightly whiten your teeth during a professional cleaning. For a more noticeable whitening, additional tooth whitening can be done in a second appointment.

    What happens precisely during a dental hygiene appointment using the Guided Biofilm Therapy?

    Our GBT hygiene sessions have essentially 3 steps:

    1. The first step is using a disclosing solution to highlight biofilm on the teeth and gums. This colouring reveals areas that need more attention and helps the hygienist educate the patient.
    2. Air Polishing with Erythritol Powder (AirFlow ) – Instead of traditional polishing pastes, we use a fine powder in an air polishing device. This powder is gentle on the teeth and highly effective in removing biofilm, even in hard-to-reach areas like between teeth and around orthodontic appliances. The air polishing process is much more comfortable for patients, especially those with sensitive teeth or gums.
    3. Gentle Ultrasonic Scaling –After air polishing, we then use the best ultrasonic devices to remove any remaining hard deposits, like tartar. Our advanced ultrasonic scalers are designed to work with minimal force, ensuring no harm is done to teeth surfaces and minimising discomfort.

    This method not only makes cleanings less uncomfortable but also enhances accuracy, helping patients understand and target areas needing extra care in their daily oral hygiene routines. GBT ultimately supports long-term oral health by managing biofilm more precisely and gently than traditional methods.

    About Us

    In our dental practice, advice on oral hygiene and correct nutrition for disease prevention is at the core of what we do.

    Enhanced oral healthcare and better eating habits can help maintain the appearance of your teeth and gums. In London, our professional team will recommend appropriate oral hygiene products and explain their proper use for home care during your dental cleaning. We will instruct you on plaque removal techniques, recommend the most suitable toothbrush, and provide guidance on using interdental brushes and dental floss. We are always on hand to answer any queries you may have.

    Meet your award-winning Dental Hygienist …

    • We have over 75+ years of combined dentistry experience across our specialist team.
    • 10,000+ treatments performed and counting.
    • We are leaders in the dental industry – we regularly teach, lecture and publish our research work internationally.

    Dental Hygienist costs

    Dental hygiene with guided biofilm therapy

    45 minute – 60 minute session
    £180

    Dental hygiene with guided biofilm therapy with local anaesthetic

    £240

    Dental hygiene for All-on-4 cases

    From £350

    Our Expertise

    We are dedicated to helping our patients maintain excellent oral health for life. The long-term success of any dental treatment depends on how well patients can care for it, which is why routine dental hygiene sessions are a cornerstone of our approach. Our prevention team, including our skilled dental hygienists, regularly attends professional development courses to stay updated with the latest knowledge, techniques, and advice, ensuring we provide the highest level of care to every patient.

    We offer  EMS air-flow technology during a dental hygiene appointment with us, which is based on innovative technology that comfortably removes  plaque  and discolourations from your teeth as an alternative to other teeth whitening methods. The high gloss polishing fluoridation which follows can provide you with the restoration of a radiant smile.

    Who is suitable for dental hygiene?

    Our team would encourage all our dental patients to make an appointment with our dental hygienist to discuss their individual needs regarding a regular schedule of professional teeth cleaning.

    Optimum dental hygiene is the best tool to equip yourself with when looking to achieve preventative care of your teeth and gums to safeguard your smile for years to come as well as protect against oral issues such as excessive tooth decay, infection, gum disease and bad breath.

    Our small collection of videos about the proper way to brush teeth and improve your gum health.

    Professional teeth cleaning at our practice is vital for dental health. Good dental care is crucial for maintaining natural teeth, implants, or dentures. Watch our video series for helpful tips on dental hygiene. Enjoy!

    Dental hygiene – theory

    Professional dental hygiene – Part I – necessary theoretical knowledge

    Cleaning the natural teeth

    Professional dental hygiene – Part II – cleaning the natural teeth

    Cleaning crowns and bridges

    Professional dental hygiene – Part III – cleaning crowns and bridges

    Cleaning implants

    Professional dental hygiene – Part IV – cleaning implants

    Cleaning removable dentures

    Professional dental hygiene – Part V – cleaning removable dentures

    What should I avoid after a dental hygienist clean with dentists and hygienists?

    After your treatment, it’s best to steer clear of foods that can cause staining for a minimum of two hours. This includes beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as items like beetroot, curry, blueberries, cherries, and tobacco. No additional actions are necessary otherwise.

    COFFEE

    What is a dental hygienist?

    The career of a dental hygienist is an essential part of the dental team, preventing dental problems in both adults and children. Dental hygienists, just like your dentist, prioritise saving teeth for their patients as the optimum clinical outcome. A hygienist evaluates a patient’s oral health during a careful check-up, including both the condition of the teeth and the gums as presented. Ensuring that you’re kept informed on how undesirable dental issues such as plaque, decay, tartar, bad breath and other bacteria can cause further dental complications is essential for your long-term dental health.

    How long is a hygienist appointment?

    The duration of a hygienist appointment at WSDC can go between 45 minutes to one hour. To minimise the time you may need during a hygienist appointment, it is advisable to book a schedule of regular check-ups as directed and practice the highest standards of oral hygiene between your appointments with our team. After your initial consultation with us, we will be best placed to advise you in detail about your individual case, as presented to us.

    How much is a hygienist appointment?

    A dental hygiene visit is charged at £180. For the patients who require local anaesthetic, the costs rise to £240. Please contact us for further details regarding our current fees for dental hygiene appointments. You can also book online.

    How often should you see a dental hygienist?

    Most patients would benefit from seeing the hygienist every 6 months. For the patients with an history of gum disease, the sessions should take place every 3 months. The optimum schedule of regular dental hygiene appointments for you on an individual basis can be best determined and then advised after your initial consultation with your dentist.

    Dental Hygiene

    What does a dental hygienist do?

    A dental hygienist conducts professional teeth cleaning and hygiene guidance for patients. A dental hygienist is a professional in oral hygiene, cleaning teeth to remove plaque and discolouration before polishing to restore the shine to your smile. A dental hygienist is the best dental specialist to offer you the latest information and advice on all aspects of oral hygiene, answer any questions you may have about how to care for your teeth and to raise any concerns you may have on oral health including offering guidance on nutritional best practice, if required. Although a dental hygienist is not a doctor, she performs a second oral cancer screening after the general dentist’s check-up cancer screening.

    What is Guided Biofilm Therapy?

    Guided Biofilm Therapy is the systematic, predictable solution for dental biofilm management. It consists of treatment protocols based on individual patient diagnosis and risk assessment. The treatment is given in the least invasive way, with the highest level of comfort, safety and efficiency.

    Can a dentist work as a hygienist?

    Our dental hygienist works with our dentists as an integral part of the prevention team. It is possible for a dentist to work as a hygienist, but it may be preferable for a hygienist to specialise in the delivery of oral health care so that dentists can focus their own clinical time on the delivery of procedures such as dental surgeries and other modern treatment options.

    Can a dental hygienist fill cavities?

    If they are trained for that, yes. However, at Wimpole Street Dental Clinic all restorative dentistry is performed by dentists. Having said this, teeth whitening can be performed by a hygienist, under the prescription of a dentist.

    Can a dental hygienist prescribe medication?

    A dental hygienist routinely performs professional teeth cleaning for dental patients. If medication is indicated as a necessary treatment option for you after your initial consultation this would usually be prescribed by your dentist who leads on your optimum dental care plan.

    Can a dental hygienist fill cavities?

    Cosmetic dentistry including teeth whitening, is a premium dental service we are delighted to offer after discussing all the modern treatment options available to you during your initial consultation with our team. All aspects of cosmetic dentistry are usually undertaken by your dentist. However, whitening can be performed by a hygienist.

    teeth whitening london before after

    Can a hygienist remove tonsil stones?

    Tonsil stones, which are an accumulation of debris located in the tonsils, may require a surgical procedure to remove them, especially if they are large in size and causing severe discomfort. All dental surgeries are usually conducted at Wimpole Street Dental Clinic by a dentist or specialist within our team.

    What does a hygienist do to your teeth?

    A dental hygienist’s primary clinical concern is tooth preservation during regular careful check-ups evaluating your oral health of both teeth and gums before meticulous professional teeth cleaning is conducted for you. Your hygienist will simply clean your teeth, remove any plaque and discolouration and polish them to restore shine. Most importantly, your hygienist can help advise on an appropriate hygiene routine that helps protect your oral health and smile.

    Does treatment from the hygienist hurt?

    Temporary discomfort or tooth sensitivity during the plaque removal step (for example) of a routine professional tooth cleaning appointment with a dental hygienist may occur. We can administer a local anaesthetic before any build-up or stain is removed and prior to using air polishing. What to expect in all aspects of your dental hygiene appointment will be discussed during your initial consultation with a member of our team where you can raise any concerns you may have so we can resolve them and reassure you prior to treatment.

    How do hygienists remove plaque?

    Dental hygienists within our team remove plaque even from difficult-to-reach areas using special hand-held tools or the EMS airflow. If you would like to view inside our clinic to see our ultramodern equipment for yourself prior to commencing treatment with us, please contact us. 

    Please remember that the most important thing to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to brush with an electric toothbrush and floss or use interdental brushes daily. With good hygiene care, you can prevent general health problems!

    dental hygiene london

    Wimpole St Dental Clinic has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

    • Jongbloed-Zoet C. The role of the dental hygienist in promoting oral health. Int J Dent Hyg. 2020 May;18(2):127. doi: 10.1111/idh.12436. PMID: 32303122.
    • Dunning JM. The future of the dental hygienist. J Public Health Dent. 1990 Winter;50(1):3-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1990.tb03546.x. PMID: 2296000.
    • Aker DS, Zaki HA. The dental hygienist as a preventodontist. J Am Dent Assoc. 1972 Jan;84(1):140-2. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.1972.0018. PMID: 4500212.
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