Seeing a dental hygienist is one of the best ways to protect your teeth and gums, but many patients have questions before booking. Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about dental hygiene appointments, costs, pain, and direct access.
Dental Hygienist – Frequently Asked Questions
Booking a Dental Hygienist Appointment
-
You can book a dental hygiene appointment online in just a few minutes. Click 'Book Online Here’ in the header section, select the treatment you need, and pick a time that suits you or call us on 0207 224 3434 or use WhatsApp on 07534411014. Our dental clinic offers evening and weekend appointments.
-
Same-day and short-notice appointments may be available depending on availability. This is ideal if you’re experiencing bleeding gums, bad breath, or urgent gum discomfort.
-
Where is Premium Dental Hygiene - Look for John Bell and Croyden Pharmacy on Wigmore Street. We are inside the pharmacy. Enter through the main entrance, head left to the back of the store, and you'll see Premium Dental Hygiene on the left hand side. We have a video guide on the Location page of our website.
-
Every appointment contains comprehensive cleaning and focuses on short term and long term advice to give you the healthiest mouth possible. It is not a rushed ‘in & out’ cleaning procedure. We care about the little details, from creating a relaxing atmosphere when you enter to giving personalised after care advice.
We'll start by assessing your mouth to check for gum disease and any other issues. We'll aim to gently remove all the plaque, harden plaque (calculus) and stain off your teeth with Airflow, Ultra Sonic Scalers and hand instruments and then finish with a final polish to give that 'super clean feeling'. We'll then work with you to create a personalised home cleaning routine to maintain a healthy mouth or create a plan to resolve any gum disease if necessary and monitor your mouth with digital photographs.
Dental Teeth Cleaning Costs & Pricing
-
At Premium Dental Hygiene, we accept WeChat Pay, Alipay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and cash
-
The cost of a dental hygienist appointment in the UK varies depending on the treatment and appointment length. Existing or routine hygiene appointments such as a scale and polish are lower cost than new patient or first time treatments. Both include treatments like airflow cleaning or spray polishing and cleaning periodontal treatment.
Full pricing is available online before booking, with no hidden fees.
-
In many cases, yes. A hygiene appointment is focused purely on cleaning and gum health, making it a cost-effective way to maintain oral health without a full dental check-up. Hygiene treatment can lower your risks of needing invasive dental treatment but we still recommend a dental exam annually bi-annually.
-
We do not offer NHS Dental hygiene treatment at our practice. Dental hygiene treatment is often limited on the NHS and not available without a dentist referral. Private hygiene appointments offer greater availability, longer appointments, and more treatment options.
-
Every appointment contains comprehensive cleaning and focuses on short term and long term advice to give you the healthiest mouth possible. It is not a rushed ‘in & out’ cleaning procedure. We care about the little details, from creating a relaxing atmosphere when you enter to giving personalised after care advice.
We'll start by assessing your mouth to check for gum disease and any other issues. We'll aim to gently remove all the plaque, harden plaque (calculus) and stain off your teeth with Airflow, Ultra Sonic Scalers and hand instruments and then finish with a final polish to give that 'super clean feeling'. We'll then work with you to create a personalised home cleaning routine to maintain a healthy mouth or create a plan to resolve any gum disease if necessary and monitor your mouth with digital photographs.
Does Teeth Cleaning Hurt?
-
For most patients, a scale and polish is comfortable and pain-free. You may feel mild vibration or pressure, but discomfort is usually minimal. If you have sensitive gums, your hygienist can adjust the treatment to keep you comfortable. We give regular breaks throughout our appointments and we will give our patients stop signals to pause the treatment whenever they need to. We also use the latest equipment which reduces sensitivity and local anaesthetics or numbing creams can also be used in severe cases.
-
Absolutely. Many patients feel anxious about dental visits. Our hygienists are experienced in treating nervous and anxious patients, working gently and at a pace that suits you.
Let your hygienist know how you’re feeling, — communication makes a big difference.
-
If you have sensitive teeth or gums, your hygienist will use gentler techniques and will recommend products to help reduce sensitivity after your appointment.
Dental Hygiene Treatments Explained
-
90% of the time gums will bleed or inflame due to bacteria or plaque sitting on or below the gumline. We would recommend a dental hygiene appointment to remove the bacteria and this will allow the gums to heal naturally and stop bleeding
-
A scale and polish is a professional cleaning treatment that removes plaque, harden plaque (calculus), tartar and stain from teeth, especially in hard-to-reach areas. It helps prevent gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay.
-
Airflow cleaning uses a combination of air, water, and fine powder to remove surface stains caused by tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking. It’s a popular option for patients wanting a brighter smile. Commonly referred to as ‘a spray polish’ or ‘golden standard polish’. It's great for sensitive patients and is normally painless.
-
Prophyjet is just like airflow. Professional cleaning uses a combination of air, water, and fine powder to remove surface stains caused by tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking. It’s a popular option for patients wanting a brighter smile. Commonly referred to as ‘a spray polish’ or ‘golden standard polish’. It's great for sensitive patients and is normally painless.
-
Most people benefit from seeing a dental hygienist every 3 to 6 months. If you have gum disease, bleeding gums, or build-up that forms quickly, more frequent visits may be recommended.
-
Airflow or prophyjet is included in the appointment. Normally, the clinician will assess your mouth and try to remove all staining and plaque in the most comfortable and efficient way possible. Sometimes this includes airflow and sometimes it doesn't but if you want Airflow just ask at the start of the appointment and they'll be happy to do it for you.
-
We will aim to remove all stain from your teeth at the appointment which generally will make the teeth look brighter. At the end of the appointment if you would still like whiter teeth. We will go through our teeth whitening options, but they are a separate treatment. However, we can start to create a home teeth whitening kit for you at the same appointment. We always recommend a hygiene appointment before teeth whitening to give the best results.
Gum Health & Common Concerns
-
Yes. Persistent bad breath is often caused by bacteria build-up along the gum line. Professional teeth cleaning and hygiene advice can significantly improve breath freshness.
-
Dental hygienists play a key role in treating and managing gum disease through deep cleaning and periodontal care. Early treatment can prevent gum disease progression and tooth loss.
After Your Hygiene Appointment
-
Your teeth will feel cleaner and smoother, and your gums may feel healthier within days. Some patients experience mild sensitivity or irritation, which usually settles within 24 hours.
-
Yes. Regular hygiene appointments help prevent gum disease, reduce dental costs long-term, improve oral health, increase your confidence to smile more and keep your smile fresh and clean.
Ready to Book a Dental Hygiene Visit?
If you have more questions or are ready to book, you can schedule your dental hygiene appointment online in minutes.
Book a dental hygienist near you today — no referral needed.
Dental Emergencies
-
In the event of a dental emergency, we recommend contacting your registered dentist in the first instance.
If the practice is closed or outside normal opening hours, please call 111 to speak with the NHS Helpline.