Hygienist appointments

Hygienist appointments cover scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar, and advice on caring for the teeth and gums at home. This suits anyone who wants to keep on top of their oral hygiene, and anyone whose dentist has recommended a professional clean. At BRS Dental on Strand Street, in Cape Town City Centre, hygienist appointments are carried out by the practice’s two oral hygienists.

What a hygienist appointment involves

Plaque, a soft film of bacteria, builds up on the teeth every day, and if it is not removed it can harden into tartar, which ordinary brushing cannot shift. At a hygienist appointment, this build-up is removed from above and, where needed, below the gum line, and the teeth are then polished. Left alone, plaque and tartar can lead to tooth decay or gum disease, so this appointment is part of preventing those problems rather than only treating them once they appear.

When you might need one

A hygienist appointment is worth booking on a routine basis as part of ordinary preventive care, and also when gums bleed during brushing, feel tender or look red or swollen, or when tartar has visibly built up. A dentist may also suggest one after a check-up, as part of a wider plan for a patient’s oral health.

What happens at the appointment

The hygienist reviews the mouth, then cleans each tooth, removing plaque and tartar from the surface and from along the gum line before polishing the teeth. Depending on how much build-up is present, this can take more than one visit. Advice follows on brushing technique, flossing, and other everyday habits that help keep the mouth healthy between appointments.

Aftercare

Teeth and gums can feel more sensitive for a short time after a thorough clean, particularly if gum inflammation was present beforehand. This generally settles as gum health improves. Continuing to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and cleaning between the teeth, helps to keep the results of the appointment going until the next visit.

How often

How often a hygienist appointment is needed differs from patient to patient, depending on how quickly plaque and tartar build up and on the health of the gums. A dentist or hygienist can advise on a suitable interval after an examination.

Getting in touch

Fees for a hygienist appointment are discussed with reception. The panel on this page shows how to get in touch to book an appointment.