Dental hygienist in Larkfield — direct access available
Even the most diligent brushing routine leaves blind spots. Our dental hygienist provides a level of cleaning that simply isn't possible at home — removing built-up tartar, treating gum disease, and giving you the tools and knowledge to keep your mouth in its best condition.
Preventive oral care
what does a dental hygienist do?
A dental hygienist is a specialist in preventive oral care. They focus on the health of your gums and the cleanliness of your teeth — two things that are directly linked to your long-term oral health and, increasingly, your general wellbeing.
Direct access: you don't need a referral from a dentist to book a hygienist appointment with us. You can book directly.
Inside your appointment
our hygienist carries out
Thorough, gentle care for the health of your gums and the cleanliness of your teeth.
Scale and polish
The professional removal of tartar (hardened plaque) from your teeth and gumline, followed by a polish to remove surface staining.
Periodontal treatment
Deeper cleaning for patients with gum disease, including root surface debridement (cleaning below the gumline).
Gum health monitoring
Measuring the depth of the pockets around your teeth to track gum health over time.
Personalised advice
On brushing technique, interdental cleaning, diet, and lifestyle factors affecting your gum health.
Stain removal
Removing surface discolouration from tea, coffee, wine, or smoking.
Direct access
You don't need a referral from a dentist to book a hygienist appointment with us. You can book directly.
Call 01732 521123 →Time for a visit?
when should you see the hygienist?
You should book a hygienist appointment if any of the following apply to you.
Bleeding gums
Your gums bleed when you brush or floss — this is a sign of early gum disease and is not normal.
Persistent bad breath
Your breath isn't fresh even after brushing.
Rough or stained teeth
Your teeth feel rough, or look stained or yellow.
Visible tartar
You can see visible tartar build-up at the gumline.
You're a smoker
Smokers are significantly more prone to gum disease.
Six months or more
You haven't had a professional clean in more than six months.
Gum disease maintenance
You've been diagnosed with gum disease and are following a maintenance programme.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes increase gum sensitivity and susceptibility to disease.
Diabetes
Gum disease and diabetes have a bidirectional relationship.
What to expect
what happens at a hygienist appointment?
A standard hygienist appointment at Larkfield Dental Aesthetics takes around 20–30 minutes, though this may be longer for patients receiving treatment for gum disease. Here's what to expect.
Assessment
Your hygienist will check your gum health, probe the pockets around your teeth, and review your oral hygiene routine.
Scaling
Using hand instruments and/or an ultrasonic scaler, your hygienist removes tartar from all surfaces of your teeth, including below the gumline.
Polishing
A gentle polish removes surface staining and leaves your teeth feeling smooth and clean.
Education
Your hygienist will show you exactly where plaque is building up and how to tackle it at home, with demonstrations where helpful.
Treatment plan
For patients with gum disease, a tailored plan will be put in place with recommended follow-up intervals.
If you have sensitive teeth or gums, let your hygienist know — local anaesthetic is available if needed.
Prevention at home
keeping your gums healthy between visits
Your hygienist will tailor advice to you, but the core habits that make the biggest difference are:
- ✓ Brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, using a fluoride toothpaste.
- ✓ Use interdental brushes or floss daily to clean between teeth — a toothbrush alone cleans 60% of tooth surfaces.
- ✓ Use a mouthwash if recommended, but don't use it immediately after brushing (it rinses away the fluoride).
- ✓ Reduce sugar intake between meals.
- ✓ Don't smoke — smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for severe gum disease and masks the early warning signs (like bleeding).
- ✓ Attend your hygienist appointments at the recommended frequency — usually every 3, 6 or 12 months depending on your gum health.
Fees & finance
What does a hygienist appointment cost?
Hygienist fees at Larkfield Dental Aesthetics are based on the type and length of treatment required. A standard scale and polish will differ in price from a course of periodontal treatment. We will always be transparent about costs before your appointment begins.
Transparent pricing
We will always be clear about costs before your appointment begins — no surprises, ever.
Denplan membership
Patients on our Denplan payment plan may have hygienist appointments included as part of their plan.
Current pricing
Please speak to our reception team or visit the Fees & Finance page for current pricing.
Contact us →General dentistry
Related treatments
Questions
frequently asked
Does a scale and polish hurt? +
For most patients, a scale and polish is comfortable. You may feel some sensitivity around areas of tartar build-up or near the gumline, but it shouldn't be painful. If you find any part of the treatment uncomfortable, tell your hygienist — we can slow down, adjust our approach, or administer local anaesthetic.
My gums bleed when I brush — is that normal? +
No, it isn't — although it's very common. Bleeding gums are usually an early sign of gingivitis (gum inflammation), which is the first stage of gum disease. The good news is that gingivitis is entirely reversible with a professional clean and an improved home care routine. Please don't ignore it.
Can a hygienist whiten my teeth? +
A scale and polish removes surface staining and will leave your teeth cleaner and brighter — but it's not the same as tooth whitening treatment. For a noticeably whiter smile, please see our Teeth Whitening page for details of our professional whitening options. Visit Teeth Whitening
How often should I see the hygienist? +
This depends on your gum health. Patients with healthy gums typically benefit from a visit every six months. Patients with a history of gum disease may need to come every three months to prevent it from recurring. Your hygienist will recommend the right interval for you.
Do I need to be referred by a dentist? +
No. We offer direct access to our hygienist, which means you can book a hygienist appointment without first seeing a dentist. This is particularly useful for patients who want a clean between their annual check-ups. For people who are visiting us for the first time we recommend seeing the dentist first.
Ready to book?
we'd love to help
Call us on 01732 521123 or email hello@larkfielddentalcare.co.uk — we'd love to help.