It is now known that certain oral bacteria cause gum disease. Your hygienist will demonstrate to you how to control this disease by disrupting the progress of these bacteria. You and your hygienist will work closely together to discover some areas of bacterial infection and she will show you how to deal with these. Your hygienist will then carefully clean and polish every tooth surface so those bacteria can be kept under control. She will show you oral hygiene procedures such as flossing. And remember the adage,

"Do I have to floss all my teeth ?"

"No, only those you want to keep !"

Some bacteria always live normally in your mouth. It is a matter of keeping these healthy bacteria under control to maintain your optimum oral hygiene. After an hygienist's course of treatment it takes about six weeks for the mouth to re-organise, then another six weeks for the effects of toxins and waste products to re-affect your gums. Hence, a regular visit to your hygienist is a vital weapon in the armamentarium of the modern dentist. Our function is to help you plan your dental future in optimum conditions so that you may appreciate your own role in maintaining your oral health.