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Hygiene
Professional Teeth Cleaning

One of the most effective things you can do for your long-term oral health. Our expert hygienists at Kingshurst Dental Surgery in Birmingham remove built-up tartar and polish your teeth to a brilliant, healthy shine.

3
Appointment lengths available
6–12
Months recommended interval
55+
Years serving Birmingham
100%
Dedicated to your smile

More Than Just a
Regular Clean

No matter how diligently you brush and floss at home, tartar (hardened plaque) builds up in areas that your toothbrush simply cannot reach. A professional scale and polish carried out by our skilled hygienists at Kingshurst Dental Surgery removes this build-up and leaves your teeth feeling incredibly smooth and clean.

It is one of the most important preventative treatments available — protecting you from gum disease, tooth decay, and more serious long-term health conditions. Patients travel from across Birmingham, Castle Bromwich, Castle Vale, Water Orton, and Chelmsley Wood to benefit from our hygiene care.

Scaling

Using ultrasonic and hand instruments, we carefully remove tartar and calculus deposits from the surface of your teeth and below the gum line.

Polishing

A professional polish removes surface stains from tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking — leaving your teeth brighter, smoother, and less prone to future staining.

Fluoride Treatment

Where advised, a fluoride application can be provided to strengthen enamel and protect against decay after your clean.

Oral Hygiene Advice

Your hygienist will share personalised tips on brushing technique, interdental cleaning, and the best products for your needs.

6 Reasons to Book Your
Hygiene Appointment Today

Removes Plaque & Tartar

Eliminates the hardened build-up that brushing alone cannot shift, dramatically reducing your risk of gum disease and cavities.

Brighter, Cleaner Smile

Stubborn surface stains from tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking are polished away, revealing a noticeably cleaner and more radiant smile.

Fresher Breath

Bad breath is often caused by bacteria that live in tartar. A professional clean eliminates these deposits, leaving your mouth feeling clean and fresh.

Early Problem Detection

Your hygienist will examine your mouth during the appointment, identifying any early signs of decay, gum disease, or other issues before they become costly.

Better Overall Health

Poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions. Regular cleaning helps protect your whole-body health.

Prevents Gum Disease

Gum disease (periodontitis) is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. A regular scale and polish is the single most effective way to prevent it.

3 Appointment Lengths
to Suit Your Needs

Not sure which is right for you? Our team will advise you at your appointment or when you call to book.

20
Minutes

Routine Maintenance

  • Ideal for patients with low tartar build-up
  • Regular attenders who keep up with hygiene visits
  • Light surface stain removal and polish
  • Quick refresh between longer appointments
Book 20 Min Appointment
40
Minutes

Deep Clean Session

  • Heavier tartar or stain build-up
  • Early signs of gum disease or sensitivity
  • Longer time between hygiene visits
  • More thorough assessment and treatment
Book 40 Min Appointment

What to Expect

Your hygiene appointment is straightforward and comfortable. Here's exactly what happens during your visit to Kingshurst Dental Surgery.

1

Assessment

Your hygienist will examine your gums, teeth, and any existing dental work to understand your current oral health and identify areas of concern.

2

Ultrasonic Scaling

A gentle ultrasonic instrument uses high-frequency vibrations to break up tartar deposits from the surfaces of your teeth and along the gum line.

3

Hand Scaling

Specialised hand tools are used to carefully remove any remaining tartar in harder-to-reach spots, ensuring a thorough clean throughout.

4

Polishing

A professional polishing paste is applied to remove surface stains and smooth the tooth surface — making it harder for future plaque to stick.

5

Fluoride (if needed)

A fluoride treatment may be applied to strengthen your enamel and provide extra protection against decay — especially helpful for sensitive teeth.

6

Oral Hygiene Advice

Before you leave, your hygienist will share personalised recommendations to help you maintain excellent oral health between visits.

Patient smiling after dental hygiene appointment at Kingshurst Dental Surgery Birmingham
RecommendedEvery 6–12 months

Who Should Have a
Hygiene Appointment?

The short answer — almost everyone! We recommend a professional scale and polish for all of our patients, typically every 6 to 12 months. However, you may benefit from more frequent visits if you:

  • Notice heavy staining from tea, coffee, or smoking
  • Have been told you have a high tartar build-up
  • Experience bleeding or swollen gums when brushing
  • Wear braces, bridges, or have implants (harder to clean areas)
  • Suffer from persistent bad breath
  • Have a history of gum disease or periodontitis
  • Haven't had a hygiene appointment in over a year
Book Your Appointment

Hygiene FAQs

Does a hygiene appointment hurt?
Most patients find a scale and polish completely comfortable. You may experience mild sensitivity during or shortly after the treatment, particularly if you have sensitive teeth or significant tartar build-up. If you are nervous or have concerns, please let our team know — we will always do our best to make you feel at ease.
How often should I have a hygiene appointment?
We generally recommend a professional clean every 6 to 12 months, though this varies from patient to patient. Those with a tendency for heavy tartar build-up, gum disease, or who smoke may benefit from more frequent visits. Your hygienist will advise on the ideal schedule for you.
What's the difference between a hygiene appointment and brushing at home?
Home brushing removes soft plaque from accessible surfaces. However, plaque that is left behind hardens into tartar (calculus) within 24–72 hours, and once hardened it cannot be removed by brushing alone — only professional scaling tools can remove it. A hygiene appointment also reaches areas between and behind teeth that are very difficult to clean yourself.
Can I have a hygiene appointment alongside teeth whitening?
Absolutely — and we actually recommend it! Having a professional scale and polish before whitening removes surface stains and ensures the whitening gel makes full contact with your natural tooth surface for the best possible result. Ask us about combining both treatments at your next visit.
Is a hygiene appointment covered by the NHS?
NHS coverage for hygiene treatment depends on your individual clinical need as assessed by your dentist. Where it is clinically necessary, it may be covered under an NHS Band 1 or Band 2 charge. Private hygiene appointments are also available and can be booked directly without a dentist referral. Please contact our reception team for more information.
Do I need to do anything to prepare before my appointment?
No special preparation is needed! Simply brush your teeth as normal before your appointment. If you are taking any new medications or have any changes to your medical history, please let us know when you arrive. Arriving a couple of minutes early gives us time to update your records if needed.

Ready for a Cleaner, Healthier Smile?

Book your professional hygiene appointment today at Kingshurst Dental Surgery in Birmingham. We welcome patients from Castle Bromwich, Castle Vale, Water Orton, Chelmsley Wood, and across the West Midlands.