Based in Central London’s world renowned Harley Street district
Based in Central London’s world renowned Harley Street district
A dental hygiene appointment, commonly known as a scale and polish, is a professional cleaning that removes plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. Even with excellent brushing and flossing, deposits accumulate in hard-to-reach areas over time. Left untreated, this buildup leads to gum disease, which causes more adult tooth loss than decay.
During your appointment, our hygienist uses an ultrasonic scaler to gently remove hardened tartar from your teeth and along the gum line, followed by hand instruments for any stubborn deposits. Your teeth are then polished using a rotating brush with a special paste, smoothing the enamel surface to make it harder for plaque to accumulate and removing everyday stains from tea, coffee, and red wine.
We recommend hygiene appointments every six months for most patients, though those with a history of gum problems may benefit from more frequent visits. Regular professional cleaning is essential for maintaining healthy gums and preventing conditions like gingivitis from progressing to more serious periodontal disease.
Our hygienists also provide personalised advice on improving your home care routine, including brushing technique, interdental cleaning, and product recommendations. For patients with stubborn staining or those wanting an extra-fresh finish, we offer airflow treatments that use air, water, and fine powder particles for a deeper clean. If you’re considering teeth whitening, a hygiene appointment beforehand ensures the best possible results.
We offer flexible payment plans to help spread the cost of your treatment.
Our hygienists are skilled professionals dedicated to preventive care. They take time to thoroughly clean every surface, educate you on maintaining results at home, and identify early signs of gum problems before they become serious. Their gentle approach ensures a comfortable experience even for anxious patients.
We use the latest ultrasonic scalers for efficient, comfortable tartar removal with minimal sensitivity. For patients wanting an enhanced clean, our airflow treatment removes stubborn staining and reaches areas that traditional scaling cannot, leaving teeth feeling exceptionally smooth and fresh.
Prevention is always better than treatment. Regular hygiene appointments protect your investment in dental work, maintain the health of implants and restorations, and help you avoid costly procedures in the future. We tailor the frequency of your visits to your individual needs and risk factors.
Most patients benefit from a scale and polish every six months. However, if you have a history of gum disease, wear braces, have dental implants, or are prone to heavy tartar buildup, we may recommend appointments every three to four months. Your hygienist will advise on the ideal frequency based on your individual needs.
For most patients, a scale and polish is comfortable and pain-free. You may feel some vibration from the ultrasonic scaler and slight pressure, but this shouldn’t be painful. If you have sensitive teeth or inflamed gums, you might experience mild discomfort. Let your hygienist know, and they can apply numbing gel or adjust their technique.
A hygiene appointment removes external deposits like plaque, tartar, and surface stains, restoring your teeth to their natural colour. Teeth whitening changes the internal shade of your teeth, making them lighter than their natural colour. For best whitening results, we recommend a hygiene appointment first to remove any buildup.
Yes, you can eat and drink normally after your appointment. However, we recommend avoiding heavily staining foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, and curry for at least six hours to allow the freshly polished surfaces to settle. If you received a fluoride treatment, wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
Even with excellent brushing and flossing, plaque accumulates in areas your toothbrush cannot reach, such as between teeth and below the gum line. Within 24-48 hours, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with professional instruments. Regular hygiene appointments complement your home care to keep your mouth truly healthy.
