No of appointments

1-2

Duration

15-60 mins

What is Hygiene?

Dental hygiene is an integral part of ensure your teeth and gums are healthy as well as give you a brighter, whiter smile! Our hygienist, Shak, has extensive training in identifying signs of dental disease and helping you clean your teeth well.

Gum disease (gingivitis) is very common and symptoms such as inflamed gums, bleeding, sensitivity, receding gums and pain on brushing can all be signs of this. It is the leading cause of tooth loss which is why at Oak Hill Dental we take a preventative approach to gum disease, as it is very treatable.

However, if gum disease persists over a long period of time and progresses, it can eventually affect the supporting structure of the teeth which can result in pain, infections, wobbly teeth and even tooth loss. This is known as periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease.

At Oak Hill Dental our focus is on prevention and this is why we believe it is critical to visit the hygienist regularly to assist you in maintaining the health of your gums and prevent gum disease.

This is provided through regular maintenance cleaning at least twice a year, oral hygiene instruction and education.

Our hygiene appointments range from 15-60 minutes and include:

  1. Detailed discussion about your current oral hygiene regime and how it could be improved
  2. Comprehensive assessment of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth
  3. Full clean of the gums, teeth and polish
  4. Detailed oral hygiene instruction on how to maintain and look after your teeth tailored to your needs based on the findings of the assessment.

Severe forms of gum disease can compromise the function and appearance of the teeth, creating the appearance of “black triangles” or that the teeth look long. Through advanced regeneration techniques, they can also cosmetically improve this sort of appearance and restore the normal appearance of the gums and teeth. Furthermore, they can help reshape the gums to help and improve the appearance of a gummy smile.

This often requires the input of a gum specialist, Dr. Yavar Khan, our periodontist, who is specifically trained in the management of gum disease and the supporting structures of the teeth. They work hand in hand with the hygienist and yourself to ensure that any disease is managed.

Teeth whitening
All of our expert hygienists are trained in teeth whitening procedures which include enlighten and ZOOM. Please see the teeth whitening page for more information on these tooth whitening systems we provide.

Need Same Day Hygiene Appointment?

Call our Emergency Hotline to enquire a same-day dental appointment. 02031462123.

Frequently Asked Questions

Healthy gums do not bleed.

Bleeding gums (gingivitis) would suggests you might be missing certain areas when you are brushing. This allows plaque to build up on teeth and for the gums to swell and bleed. It can be a sign of gum disease.

We would encourage you to brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste and use interdental brushes to keep the space between your teeth clean.

Regular visits to the hygienist would help improve your cleaning and allow for the health of your gums to improve.

What at the signs of gum disease?

  • Bleeding gums when brushing or even whilst eating
  • Red, swollen gums
  • Bad breath
  • Spaces appearing between teeth
  • Loose teeth
  • Receding gums

It is what you do at home every day of the year which will have the biggest impact on the health of your gums. Brushing twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and using interdental cleaning brushes are two of the simplest and most effective methods of improving your gum health. If you smoke, we would encourage you to stop smoking to improve the health of your gums (and general health).

In areas that your brushes can’t reach, you are likely to have bleeding and a build up of hardened plaque, called tartar or calculus. We treat it by thoroughly scaling those areas for you. This can involve getting the areas numb to make the process more comfortable for you. This will allow you to manage better at home.

If your gum disease is advanced, you would benefit by seeing the hygienist regularly, every 3 months.

Gum disease can cause the gums to shrink (recede). The makes the necks of the teeth look yellow, become sensitive and give the appearace of gaps between teeth (black traingles).

If your gums are shrinking, it would suggest you have gum disease. We would suggest that you arrange an appointment with us.

Sometimes we can improve the appearance of shrinking gums by covering them with a graft.

It can be a tell-tale sign of gum disease. It can also be caused by infection, food trapping around teeth or cavities in your teeth.

Regular visits to the hygienist would remove tartar, help keep your gums healthy and help you maintain fresh breath throughout the day.

We would encourage you to use mouthwash in the middle of the day to help keep your breath fresh.

Staining is caused by tea, coffee, wine, what we eat and smoking. It can be removed with our gentle air polish.

At Oakhill Dental Practice we use the very latest technology to clean your teeth, offering deeper levels of cleaning and stain removal. Your dentist and hygienist will be able to advise you on this.

Having an airpolish with our hygienist is a great way of boosting your smile and make you look and feel fabulous!

Plaque is soft and accumulates on teeth during the day. It is made up from food debris, millions of microorganisms and saliva proteins. It can easily be cleaned daily with a toothbrush and interdental cleaning. If it isn’t cleaned, it can cause the gums to swell and bleed.

Tartar, or calculus, is plaque that isn’t brushed off teeth and becomes hard and ‘calcifies’ on your teeth. It is not always harmful, but does require a scale to have it removed.

If plaque and tartar continue to progress under the gum, it can lead to gum disease. Through proper cleaning at home and regular visits to the dentist and hygienist, you will be able to help prevent this from occurring.

Read Our Reviews!

Amir K
Amir K
2023-07-18
The staff at this practice are unparalleled! The most friendly and helpful staff I have ever had the experience of dealing with at a dental practice. Rahana and Usman have not only saved the day countless times for me personally, but are always such a joy to interact with. Thank you for making the dental experience so much better!
Patricia Paraschiv
Patricia Paraschiv
2023-07-15
I am thrilled to express my immense gratitude for the exceptional care provided by Dr. orthodontist Suhaym Mubeen. The level of dedication, compassion, and professionalism exhibited by him surpasses all expectations. Dr. Suhaym's approach is marked by thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and meticulousness. His genuine concern for his patients is unparalleled. As a perfectionist, I greatly appreciated his unwavering attention to detail throughout my two-year treatment. His passion for his chosen profession is evident, and his involvement and care were nothing short of outstanding. One of the aspects that truly sets Dr. Suhaym apart is his willingness to take the time to explain each step of the treatment process, ensuring that I understood the purpose and benefits of every decision made. His explanations helped me make well-informed choices for my long-term oral health, instilling confidence and trust in his expertise. Every visit to Dr. Suhaym's office was a joyful experience, thanks not only to the exceptional services he provides but also to his exceptional team of colleagues, including the hygienists and general dentistry practitioners. The reception staff deserves a special mention for their friendliness, professionalism, and ability to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be a patient of this outstanding practice. In summary, there are simply not enough words of thanks to adequately convey my gratitude to Dr. Suhaym Mubeen. His level of care, commitment, and professionalism is truly second to none. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone in search of an orthodontist who will go above and beyond to provide an exceptional experience and deliver outstanding results.
Oliver L
Oliver L
2023-07-04
Went to Oak Hill dental pratice to have my wisdom tooth removed, this was my first tooth extraction however Dr Ali was very empathetic, alivated any nerves I had and was very quick with the procedure. Highly recommended!
Will Hooper
Will Hooper
2023-06-30
Just finished my final Invisalign session with orthodontist Suhaym Mubeen and felt compelled to leave a review after the incredible service I've received from him and his team over the past year. His diligence and attention to detail has been amazing and I am beyond happy with the results. He works and communicates with great clarity and care. And whilst he conducts himself very professionally, he does so with a warm, friendly energy that has honestly made the whole experience really nice. What a legend.
alan croucher
alan croucher
2023-06-21
I received first class treatment from Dr. Ali. Dental treatment is never a pleasure but the process of installing an implant was virtually painless and the procedure was competently conducted.
sumayya choudry
sumayya choudry
2023-06-12
Fantastic dentist practice. Ive had wisdom teeth problems for over 4 years and recently had a coronectomy on both sides at a NHS hospital near me. One side would not heal and I was in constant pain, I was told for 6 months that it has healed and the pain is jaw related and I should just continue with pain killers. I sent the photos and x-rays to Dr Ali and he was more than happy to walk me through what needed to be done and spent time listening to me and was genuinely interested in helping (and not in it for a profit as I've had in other private practices). I am now pain free after months of constant pain, and I am so grateful to Dr Ali and his team for their help.
Androulla Kilikita
Androulla Kilikita
2023-06-07
5 star implant done at oakhill dental practice, very pleased, but a bit more expensive as I needed a bone graft
Jose Martin
Jose Martin
2023-05-11
Always easy peasy
tony sobers
tony sobers
2023-04-29
It took seven weeks to go from smashed front teeth to veneers and a perfect smile thanks to Dr Ali and the team at Oak Hill Dental Practice. Eight weeks before my wedding I fell and suffered serious damage to my face and teeth. Over the following weeks and a series of appointments Dr Ali set about repairing the damage, each session gave me more hope that I’d have a toothy grin for my wedding photos. Dr Ali and the team were totally supportive and reassuring during the treatment. And the result of the dental work was amazing, I had to tell people I’d had an injury, they wouldn’t have known otherwise. I’m loathed to change dentists and despite moving away from the area I stayed with Oak Hill as I know they are great, that confidence paid off. I can thoroughly recommend the entire team at Oak Hill Dental Practice, you’ll be in good hands
Mike Bliss
Mike Bliss
2023-04-25
After recently finishing a series of dental treatments, leading to the fitting of a new implant and two replacement crowns for my front teeth, I have nothing but the highest praise for the team at the Oak Hill Dental & Implant Centre. After the initial consultation, assessment, and CT scan - which revealed insufficient bone to take an implant - Dr Moshin Ali drafted an impressive four-phase plan which was described to me clearly and professionally and in a manner that put me completely at ease. The most daunting procedures - including both bone and gum grafting surgeries - went extremely well, and the aftercare was excellent with follow up calls from the doctor's reassuringly calm and efficient assistant, Mihaela. As we came towards the end of the treatments Moshin took a great deal of time and care to achieve a very natural look and I am delighted with the results. Kudos also to Steve and the other receptionists who are always most welcoming, patient and helpful when you arrive or call. I have no hesitation in recommending this practise. Thank you so much!
Read All Reviews

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