Dental Hygiene

This depends on your individual needs. Many patients benefit from visits every 3 to 6 months, but we’ll recommend a schedule that suits your oral health and lifestyle.

Most treatments are comfortable and pain-free. Some patients may experience mild sensitivity during cleaning, but we always adjust the approach to ensure your comfort throughout.

Tartar is hardened plaque that cannot be removed by brushing alone. It can contribute to gum disease, staining, and bad breath, which is why regular hygienist visits are important.

Plaque is a constant build-up of bacteria on the teeth. If not removed regularly, it can lead to gum disease and, over time, tooth loss. Professional cleaning helps keep it under control.

More than you’d think. Common issues we see: brushing too hard (damages enamel and gums); using a hard or worn brush; scrubbing sideways rather than using circular motions; missing the gumline area (where plaque causes most harm); brushing immediately after acidic foods (damages softened enamel); not reaching the inside surfaces of back teeth; and neglecting the tongue. Most people have 2–3 of these issues without realising. Disclosing tablets make the missing spots visible instantly.

Yes — in fact it’s often preferred for these cases. The fine powder used for implants and restorations is specifically designed to be gentler than the standard erythritol powder. Airflow won’t damage porcelain restorations, veneers, crowns or implant surfaces when used with appropriate settings and powder. Our hygienists adjust the protocol based on the work in your mouth.

Yes — extremely effectively. Surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine, turmeric and tobacco are among the easiest things for Airflow to remove. Most patients leave with noticeably brighter teeth after a single session. It’s particularly good for patients who don’t want to whiten their teeth but would like to remove accumulated surface staining.

No — most patients find it surprisingly comfortable, much more so than traditional hand-scaling. The sensation is a cool stream of air and water on the tooth surface. Some find the taste of the powder slightly unusual but not unpleasant. For sensitive teeth, Airflow can actually be gentler than traditional methods. Nervous patients usually find it transformative.

Yes, meaningfully. Scale and polish uses hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to scrape away tartar. Airflow uses a jet of fine powder, air and water to clean the tooth surface and biofilm. It’s gentler, more comfortable, and more effective at removing the biofilm layer that causes gum disease. Modern hygiene typically combines both — Airflow for the main cleaning, targeted ultrasonic only for any stubborn tartar.

No — around 90% of cases have oral causes, but the remaining 10% stem from elsewhere: chronic sinusitis, tonsil stones, acid reflux, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and certain medications can all contribute. As part of our assessment, we’ll identify whether your case is likely oral or systemic and refer you to the appropriate specialist if needed.

Brushing alone doesn’t reach every area. Food and bacteria accumulate between teeth, below the gumline, and on the back of the tongue — all common bad breath sources. If you have gum disease, no amount of brushing will fix the problem without professional treatment. If you’re still experiencing persistent bad breath despite good hygiene, book a consultation — there’s likely a specific cause we can identify.

Mouthwash typically masks bad breath temporarily rather than fixing it. The exception is medicated mouthwashes (containing chlorhexidine or similar) used as part of a treatment protocol — these can help reduce bacterial load during active treatment. Long-term, the goal is to address the cause, not just mask the symptom.

In most cases, yes. Once the underlying cause is identified and treated, bad breath can be completely resolved. The key is proper diagnosis — too many patients waste years on mouthwashes and mints without addressing the root cause. Sometimes bad breath is a symptom of non-oral issues (digestion, respiratory) that we’ll help refer you to the right specialist for. But most cases have oral causes we can treat directly.

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Depends on your needs. For most people with healthy mouths, mouthwash isn’t essential and shouldn’t replace brushing or flossing. For specific conditions: anti-bacterial mouthwashes (chlorhexidine) during active gum disease treatment; fluoride mouthwashes for high cavity risk; alcohol-free options for dry mouth. Avoid alcohol-containing mouthwashes for daily long-term use. We’ll recommend what’s right for you.

You need to clean between your teeth every day — whether with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser. Brushing alone doesn’t reach the surfaces between teeth, which is where cavities and gum disease most commonly start. For many people, interdental brushes (‘TePe brushes’) are easier and more effective than traditional floss. We’ll recommend the right tool for your teeth.

For most people, a good electric brush (oscillating-rotating or sonic) achieves better plaque removal than a manual brush — partly because it does the motion for you, partly because of timers and pressure sensors. That said, a manual brush used with excellent technique is perfectly effective. We’ll recommend specific products based on your needs, budget and dexterity.

Most people are. If you’ve got chips, gaps, discolouration or uneven edges you’d like to fix, composite bonding is a great option. For more significant concerns — heavy crowding, large gaps or damaged teeth — we may recommend an alternative or a combination approach. The best way to find out? Book a consultation. We’ll assess your smile and talk you through everything.

Most patients are — provided underlying teeth and gums are healthy. We’ll carry out a full assessment at your consultation, addressing any oral health issues first (like gum disease or decay) before cosmetic treatment begins. Age, previous dental work and tooth loss don’t rule you out — we’ve transformed smiles for patients in their 20s through to their 70s.

Yes, dental X-rays are extremely safe. They use very low levels of radiation and allow us to detect issues that aren’t visible during a standard examination, helping us provide more accurate and effective care.

No — when fitted by someone skilled, they’re completely invisible from any normal viewing angle. Unless someone looks directly at the inside of your teeth (which is rare), they won’t know the braces are there. Even in close-up photos, your smile appears completely natural.

Yes — healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. Many adults choose orthodontic treatment to improve both appearance and function, although treatment may take slightly longer than for younger patients.