A professional hygiene appointment combines cleaning the teeth with an assessment of your cleaning needs. It may include removing tartar, plaque and surface stains, polishing, and fluoride treatment when indicated. Not everyone needs every part at each appointment.
Tartar and stains are different
Tartar is a hardened deposit formed when plaque mineralises. Ordinary brushing cannot remove it effectively. Surface stains may come from foods and drinks. The type of deposit and the condition of the gums help determine which instruments and techniques are appropriate.
What happens afterwards matters too
Show the dental team how you clean at home and explain which areas are difficult to reach. Individual advice is particularly useful around bridges, implants, braces or exposed roots. Removing today’s deposits does not stop new plaque from forming.
How often should you return?
The interval depends on gum health, disease risk and how quickly deposits build up. There is no single schedule that suits everyone. Someone receiving ongoing care for periodontitis may need a different programme from a person with healthy gums.
Tell the team about sensitivity or difficult previous experiences before cleaning begins. Ask whether the products used require any temporary changes to eating or brushing. A hygiene appointment does not replace a dental examination or treatment of cavities that have already been identified.