Gums and soft tissues
Bleeding, tenderness, plaque build-up, calculus, recession, gum pockets, and soft-tissue changes are checked before hygiene care is planned.
Preventive Hygiene
A professional clean with a reason behind it
A scale and clean removes plaque, calculus and surface staining that brushing cannot always manage. But the visit is also a chance to see how your gums are responding and whether routine cleaning is enough for you.
Book a hygiene visit if you are due for a clean. If you have significant gum swelling, severe pain or another urgent concern, call us first.
Preventive Hygiene appointment details
Useful for
Routine plaque and calculus removal, bleeding gums, stain build-up, overdue hygiene visits, and home-care support
Costs
Fees depend on time, gum findings, records, and health fund cover; itemised costs are discussed before care begins
RISKS & LIMITATIONS
Possible risks, limitations, expected maintenance requirements, and the potential need for additional care are discussed where relevant before treatment begins.
Start Here
More than removing build-up
We check bleeding, gum tenderness, calculus, recession and hard-to-clean areas around teeth and dental work. If there are signs of gum disease, we will explain whether you need a different type of care rather than simply repeating a routine clean.
Start here if
- 01Your teeth feel rough or stained even after brushing.
- 02Your gums bleed when brushing or flossing and you want them checked.
- 03You are due for routine hygiene care after a check-up.
- 04You want practical advice about brushing, flossing, interdental brushes, or sensitivity.
Assessment
What your dentist checks
Your dentist or hygienist checks your gums, teeth, symptoms, home-care habits, and suitability before planning hygiene care.
Teeth and dental work
Your teeth, older fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, dentures, and areas that trap plaque are reviewed so cleaning advice can be more specific.
Symptoms and history
Sensitivity, bleeding history, medical updates, medications, dry mouth, smoking, and brushing or flossing difficulties can affect the hygiene plan.
Suitability and costs
Your dentist or hygienist explains whether a routine clean is suitable, whether gum treatment is needed, and what costs or recall timing may apply.
Your Appointment
What happens at your appointment
We begin with your symptoms and home-care routine, assess your gums and build-up, then clean the areas that need attention. Before you leave, we will show you what to focus on at home and suggest a recall interval that suits your gum health.
Talk through symptoms and home care
The visit starts with what you have noticed, your brushing and flossing routine, sensitivity, bleeding, medical updates, and any concerns about comfort or cost.
Remove plaque and calculus
Plaque, calculus, and surface staining are removed where suitable, with the appointment adjusted if gum inflammation, sensitivity, or heavier deposits need more time.
Plan prevention and recall
You are shown areas that need attention at home, then recall timing, gum treatment needs, health fund item numbers, and itemised costs can be discussed before further care is booked.
Recall Timing
Planning your next hygiene visit
Recall timing depends on your gum health, plaque build-up, medical history, previous dental treatment, and how easily you can clean around your teeth and restorations.
- Some patients are suited to routine six-monthly hygiene appointments.
- Gum inflammation, periodontal history, dry mouth, orthodontic appliances, implants, or heavy calculus may change the recommended interval.
- If it has been a long time since your last clean, the first visit can focus on assessment and a manageable hygiene plan.
Related Care
If your clean shows something else needs attention
Scale and clean appointments often connect with routine dental check-ups, gum disease treatment, home-care advice, and payment planning.
Fees, Health Funds, Payment Options
Helpful
FAQs
Questions about hygiene visits and scale and cleans
Answers to common questions about Scale and Clean appointments, gum bleeding, sensitivity, costs, health funds, and recall timing.
The appointment usually starts with a gum and plaque assessment before cleaning begins.
- Plaque, hardened calculus, and surface stains are removed where suitable.
- Your gums may be checked for bleeding, tenderness, recession, and pocketing.
- Home-care advice can be matched to your teeth, gums, restorations, and habits.
If findings suggest gum disease treatment is needed, your dentist or hygienist can explain why before planning the next step.
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