Dental hygienist in Belfast

Your local Belfast hygienist’s key aim is to prevent and treat gum disease, which is now one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. By including regular professional teeth cleaning in your oral routine, you can help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Whilst a visit to the hygienist is not a substitute for a full dental examination with a dentist, we recognise that some patients may not have access to see a hygienist at their own practice. We happily welcome patients who wish to use the services of our dental hygiene team, without them having to be examined by a dentist prior to visiting us.

      Why do I need to see a dental hygienist?

      Regular visits to your hygienist puts you in the best position for detecting any oral health problems before they become symptomatic or require treatment.  

      Hygienists are trained to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums. Even the best electric toothbrush can’t reach every part of your mouth, and a hygienist can get to those hard-to-reach places to provide a professional deep clean. While you will leave your Cavehill Dental & Implant Clinic hygienist appointment with a fresher, cleaner smile, their job goes far beyond the superficial. A scale and polish will remove harmful plaque and deposits of tartar that, if left, can cause periodontal (gum) disease. By making a hygienist visit part of your dental care regime you can stay one step ahead and avoid becoming one of the 19 out of every 20 people who will suffer from gum disease during their life.

          How does dental hygienist clean the teeth?

          An appointment with your hygienist will involve an initial oral hygiene check-up, followed by a ‘scaling’ procedure. This is where any buildup of harmful plaque and tartar is carefully and gently removed from the surface of your teeth and around the gum line using scalers and curettes, which are specially designed tools to check scrape away soft deposits. Hand-held mirrors help your hygienist to spot those missed areas and pinpoint plaque buildup. Following a good clean and analysis of overall gum health, they will give your teeth a shine and polish with a gentle, quiet air polisher to remove any superficial stains. In cases where there is decay, a hygienist may apply fluoride or an antibacterial gel.

            Tackling tooth fissures

            Tooth fissures are tiny pits and grooves that appear on the surface of teeth and are extremely common, especially on the back teeth and molars. It is easy to miss these narrow fissures with normal brushing, meaning that bacteria can build up in the gaps and lead to deterioration of your tooth. Fissure sealants are a quick and comfortable preventative measure that can be applied by your hygienist to prevent tooth decay. Your hygienist will be able to advise you if this is a treatment they recommend for your teeth.

                What can I expect from a direct access hygienist appointment?

                In order for our dental hygiene team to treat direct access patients, we require new patients to complete a medical history and consent form for treatment. Hygienists are unable to diagnose, offer a prognosis or prescribe antibiotics, painkillers or any symptom-alleviating medication. 

                During a direct access appointment, if the hygienist feels you have any oral health problems which are outside of their oral hygiene scope, they will make you aware of this and recommend you see a dentist. On rare occasions, it may not be possible for the hygienist to treat a patient due to an issue with their general health, their medical history, a recent surgical/medical treatment or the condition of their mouth. Please let us know at the time of booking if there are any issues you think may be relevant.

                  Stain removal

                  We all want to show the world our whitest, brightest smile, and stain removal treatments at Cavehill Dental & Implant Clinic are key to keeping your teeth looking their best.

                    Check-ups

                    At Cavehill Dental & Implant Clinic we know that every smile is unique. Regular check-ups are advised to complement a good daily oral health routine and to provide a preventative approach to dental issues.

                        Ready to see one of our hygienists?

                        Prevention is better than cure, and identifying early signs of tooth decay or gum inflammation enables your practitioner to address the problem swiftly.

                          Portman Dental Care Awards

                          Fmc Logo 2019 Winner Oby M25
                          Award Logo 2018
                          Dental Industry Award - Portman Dental Care
                          The Dentistry Awards - Portman Dental Care
                          Elite Practice Award - Portman Dental Care