Dental Hygiene and Air Polishing

Periodontal disease is often pain-free in its early stages, which means it can go unnoticed until a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist identifies the signs and recommends treatment. Once the teeth lose their attachment to the gums and supporting bone, this damage is not usually reversible. This means that, when it comes to gum disease, prevention and early treatment are especially important. Regular follow-up appointments, even when your teeth and gums seem healthy, are key to helping maintain gum health and reducing the risk of gum disease progressing.

Over-the-counter oral health products, such as mouthwash, can support your oral hygiene routine, but they should not be seen as a replacement for professional care. These products are best used following advice from your dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist.

Here are some indications that you may need a hygiene visit:

• Cleaning visible plaque or tartar build-up on the teeth that cannot be removed with regular toothbrushing
• Treating bleeding gums
• Treating swollen and tender gums
• Helping to manage bad breath

Loose teeth, gaps developing between the teeth, or teeth changing position can be signs of advanced gum disease. In these cases, you may need more advanced periodontal treatment as well as regular hygiene care.

Smokers are at a significantly higher risk of gum disease and may not notice bleeding when brushing until the condition has progressed. Gum disease can also run in families, so people with a family history of gum disease should be particularly vigilant. Some medications, medical conditions such as diabetes, and hormonal changes during pregnancy can also increase the risk of gum problems or make existing gum disease worse.

Whether you are a registered patient or not, you can book an appointment with our Genix hygiene team straightaway. This is called a Direct Access appointment and, if you are visiting us for the first time, it will include an initial check-up.

You will usually need one appointment to have your teeth professionally cleaned by your hygienist. However, depending on the amount of plaque or tartar build-up and the severity of any gum disease, further appointments may be recommended.

Regular visits to your hygienist can help you manage gum problems early, before they become more serious.

Some advantages of maintaining a regular dental hygiene schedule are:

• A cleaner, brighter smile
• Fresher breath
• Healthier gums that are less likely to bleed
• Long-term support for your teeth and gums

The mouth naturally contains many different types of bacteria. These bacteria can collect along the gumline in a soft, sticky film called plaque. Plaque can usually be removed with effective daily brushing and interdental cleaning, but when it is not removed properly, it can contribute to gum inflammation and infection.

As gum disease progresses, the gums can begin to pull away from the teeth, creating small spaces known as periodontal pockets. These pockets can make it harder to clean plaque effectively with a toothbrush, allowing bacteria to collect deeper below the gumline. Over time, plaque that is not removed can harden into tartar, also known as calculus. Tartar attaches firmly to the tooth surface and cannot be removed with normal toothbrushing. If left untreated, this can contribute to further gum infection, loss of gum attachment and loss of supporting bone around the teeth.

Traditionally, scaling involved the use of specially designed hand instruments to remove tartar from the tooth surface. Modern dental hygiene treatment may also involve sonic or ultrasonic instruments, which use gentle vibrations and a water stream to help remove tartar and debris from the teeth.

Air polishing uses a controlled stream of air, water and specially formulated powder to help remove plaque, surface staining and debris from the tooth surface. This can leave the teeth feeling cleaner, smoother and fresher, while supporting your overall gum health.

No sensitivity during scaling? Really?

Some patients may feel concerned about sensitivity during a hygiene appointment, particularly if they have receding gums, exposed root surfaces or existing tooth sensitivity. At Genix, we use advanced ultrasonic scaling technology designed to clean the teeth and gumline gently and effectively. This allows your hygienist to remove plaque and tartar while helping to keep discomfort to a minimum.

Hygiene appointments are often part of ongoing preventive dental care, rather than a one-off treatment. By making these appointments as comfortable and reassuring as possible, we aim to help patients maintain high standards of oral hygiene over the long term and feel more confident about attending regular visits.

What Are the Benefits of Air Polishing?

Air polishing uses a controlled mixture of air, water and fine powder to clean the teeth. It is gentle on the tooth enamel and exposed root surfaces, helping to remove plaque, biofilm and surface staining without damaging the tooth surface.

As air polishing does not use heat or heavy pressure, many patients find it more comfortable than some traditional polishing methods. It can also help clean hard-to-reach areas, including around the gumline and, where appropriate, within periodontal pockets, supporting more effective biofilm removal.

Air polishing can be particularly useful for removing surface stains caused by smoking, tobacco use, red wine, black coffee, tea or long-term use of chlorhexidine mouthwash. This can help your teeth feel cleaner, smoother and fresher after treatment.

Your dentist or hygienist may also recommend air polishing before teeth whitening, as removing surface stains and plaque can help prepare the teeth for whitening treatment.

• Good gum health depends on consistent care at home as well as regular dental hygiene appointments. The importance of cleaning your teeth properly at home should not be underestimated. Thorough toothbrushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, along with daily interdental cleaning, is essential to help maintain your gum health.
• Stopping smoking and maintaining good general health can also support long-term gum health. If you have diabetes, good blood sugar control is particularly important, as diabetes can increase the risk of gum disease. Healthy gums may also have a positive impact on wider health, especially for patients with diabetes.
• Limiting strongly coloured foods and drinks, along with reducing the use of mouthwashes that may cause staining, can help keep your teeth looking cleaner and brighter for longer after your hygiene and air polishing appointment.

• Air polishing may not be suitable for some patients with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Your dentist or hygienist will assess your medical history and advise whether air polishing is appropriate for you.
• You may sometimes experience temporary sensitivity to cold and hot beverages for a few days after your appointment. This should usually settle, but please contact your dental practice if sensitivity continues or you are concerned.

Don’t forget to ask your Genix Practice for easy-to-follow Patient Plans that let you be regular with your hygiene appointments without hassle.