Why should I visit the hygienist?

Regular hygiene appointments prevent gum disease, remove tartar and plaque beyond a toothbrush’s reach, and support long‑term oral health maintenance.

What happens during a hygienist session?

You’ll receive assessment, scaling, polishing, gum checking, oral cancer screening and personalized hygiene coaching. Often about 40 minutes in one visit.

Is a scale and polish painful?

Generally it’s pain‑free. If there’s deep cleaning below the gumline you may feel discomfort—local anaesthetic can be used.

Dental Hygienist in Great Barr | Teeth Cleaning & Gum Care

Professional Dental Hygiene & Teeth Cleaning in Great Barr

Are you looking to maintain a healthy, confident smile? Our experienced Dental Hygienist provide thorough teeth cleaning, plaque removal, and gum disease prevention in Great Barr. Through personalized care, we help protect your teeth and gums from common issues like tartar buildup, bad breath, and gingivitis—keeping your smile bright and problem-free.

Deep Teeth Cleaning

Removes plaque and tartar build-up above and below the gum line.

Gum Disease Prevention

Regular visits help reduce the risk of gingivitis and periodontal issues.

Air Polishing

A gentle, effective way to remove surface stains and brighten your smile.

Personalized Oral Hygiene Advice

Tailored recommendations for brushing, flossing, and rinsing.

Direct Access Hygienist

No need to see a dentist first—book your hygienist visit directly.

Why Choose Our Hygienist Service?

Skilled, Friendly Professionals: Our hygienists are trained to provide comfortable, thorough cleanings.
Modern Equipment: We use state-of-the-art tools and air polishing techniques for effective tartar removal.
Flexible Scheduling: Book appointments at times that suit you, including weekends if available.
Holistic Approach: We focus on both prevention and treatment, ensuring a healthier smile long-term.
Great Barr Location: Conveniently located for easy access from Birmingham and the West Midlands.

why choose the dentist's hygienist for dental care

Common Gum Disease Symptoms

Bleeding gums, especially during brushing or flossing

Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
Red, swollen, or tender gums
Gum recession and tooth sensitivity
Loose or shifting teeth

If you notice any of these signs, schedule a check-up. Early intervention can prevent further complications.

What Happens At A Hygienist Appointment?

Initial Assessment: We examine your gums and overall oral hygiene.
Scaling & Plaque Removal: Using specialized tools to remove tartar and plaque.
Polishing or Air Polishing: Smooths the tooth surface and removes surface stains.
Personalized Advice: Recommendations on brushing techniques, flossing, and diet to maintain oral health at home.

How Often Should I Visit The Hygienist?

Most patients benefit from a hygienist appointment every 6 months, though this can vary based on individual oral health needs. Your dentist or hygienist will advise the right schedule for you.

What Is A Direct Access Hygienist?

A Direct Access Hygienist allows you to book an appointment without a prior dental exam or referral. This streamlines your visit and helps you address preventive care quickly—ideal if you simply want a professional cleaning, stain removal, or guidance on oral hygiene.

Ready for a fresh, healthy smile? Book your hygienist appointment today. Call us at 01922 624900 or use our quick online form to schedule a convenient time.

Schedule An Appointment

Testimonials

Marie Green

29. September, 2023.

Cannot fault this dentist. Rikki and Ana made me feel at ease, explained all of the options, and are super nice people. They helped me cure my gum disease quickly and then continued with pain-free dental implants, which has given me back my confidence. No long waiting for appointments, and communication from them is excellent and professional. They also offer a great teeth whitening service. I seriously can't stop smiling; I am so happy with my treatment and would highly recommend The Dentist to anyone and in particular to nervous patients like myself. Thank you, Rikki and Ana; you 100% met my expectations 🙂

Vik

18. March, 2019.

This review is on behalf of my mum, who has been using this dentist for the past six months. However, I myself have had a filling and hygienist appointment here and couldn't recommend them enough. I'm usually an anxious patient, but Dr. Rikki and his staff have made me feel at ease!

Nicki Kelly

22. May, 2017.

After neglecting my teeth and gums by avoiding going to a dentist for a number of years, I finally plucked up the courage and made an appointment with Rikki. I'd explained I was anxious in an email and was very nervous initially, but Rikki is very friendly and helped put me at ease. He referred me to their hygienist (Louise) due to having gum disease and recession and assured me she could halt the recession and get rid of the gum disease. My gums were that bad that Louise could only do one set at a time! My initial BPE scores were 3s and 4s. I've just come back from an appointment with Rikki and felt compelled to write a review because I don't need to see him again for a year; my BPE scores were all 1s, and I'm free of gum disease! Thank you, Louise!

FAQs

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is where your gums are red and swollen. Symptoms include bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and swollen gums. The risk of gum disease increases with age:

47% of adults aged 30 years and older have gum disease.

70% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal/gum disease.

Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria. Some bacteria are harmless, but some are harmful. It can only be removed by brushing and flossing, and hardened bacteria (tartar) can only be removed by seeing a dental professional such as a hygienist

What are the common Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Bleeding gums. People often think this is normal but it is almost always a sign of gum disease.

2. Loose teeth

3. Gum recession (longer teeth). This often results in increased tooth sensitivity.

4. Bad tastes

5. Bad breath

6. Drifting teeth

How to prevent gum disease?

Gum disease can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups, as well as seeing your hygienist for cleaning, scaling, and polishing.

What happens at the hygienist appointment?

The hygienist offers professional teeth cleaning, also known as deep cleaning of your gums. They remove plaque or tartar buildup that cannot be reached by brushing, perform a clean and polish to remove superficial stains, and provide personalized advice on maintaining good dental health at home.

What if I have been diagnosed with advanced gum disease ?

If you have been diagnosed with advanced gum disease, you will need to see both a hygienist and a periodontist. Ask your dentist for more advice on this.

We offer hygienist appointments for our patients, and our hygienist is available through direct access. This means you don’t need to be a patient of our practice to see our hygienist. You can book directly for a cleaning, and the hygienist will focus on your gum health and teeth polishing. Please note, the hygienist won’t perform dental checks or diagnose conditions, so regular check-ups with a dentist are still necessary. The appointment lasts 25 to 30 minutes and costs £67.50.

What is Air Polishing ?

We offer air polishing to remove stains and bring a brighter, shinier smile. Air polishing is an amazing system which works very well on removing coffee/tea/smoking stains from teeth. It is also very good for cleaning in between crocked teeth.

Can the hygienist treat gum disease?

Our hygienists can manage mild to moderate gum issues, but more advanced cases may require a periodontist.

Is a hygienist appointment painful?

Treatments are generally gentle; however, we can use numbing gel if needed.

Can you remove deep stains?

Air polishing and scaling can remove most surface stains and discolouration.

Do I need to see a dentist first?

With our Direct Access Hygienist, you can schedule directly—though regular dental check-ups are also recommended.

If the hygienist notices something beyond their scope, they will refer you to a dentist. However, it’s not a substitute for a full mouth check-up.

Book Now

Take control of your dental health today. Book your check-up or call us at 01922 624900 to schedule an appointment.

Consider other preventive services, such as professional cleaning with our hygienist or root canal treatments for damaged teeth.