As a practice that promotes preventative dentistry and wants to ensure the long-term health of our patients, dental hygiene is paramount.
To make the most of your dental hygiene and help ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, we recommend a three-pronged system of at-home care, regular dental check-ups, and frequent dental hygiene appointments.
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)
Guided Biofilm Therapy is the systematic, predictable solution for dental biofilm management in professional prophylaxis using state-of-the-art Airflow®, Perioflow® and Piezon® technologies. It is proven by scientific evidence.
Guided Biofilm Therapy consists of treatment protocols based on individual patient diagnosis and risk assessment in order to achieve optimal results. The treatment is given in the least invasive way, with the highest level of comfort, safety and efficiency.
If left untreated, gum disease can go on to cause a multitude of further oral health issues, such as receding gums and tooth loss.
When caught early, gum disease is an easily treatable condition. In some cases, we can treat it with additional dental hygiene appointments and good at-home oral hygiene. In more advanced cases, however, it can lead to infection, abscesses, and even the loss of a tooth. This is why we want to avoid it as much as possible and diagnose it as early as possible.
There are several things a patient can do to help prevent gum disease:
Brush for two minutes twice a day.
Regular interdental cleaning (with floss or interdental brushes).
While some patients might think visiting the dental hygienist is just about getting clean and polished, modern advances in technique and technology mean your hygiene appointments are at the forefront of the fight against gum disease.
So, not only will your hygienist be able to provide a professional clean that can’t be matched with at-home care, but they will also be using the time to identify any issues with the gums that could indicate gum disease. Regular visits to the hygienist can also help prevent gum disease and tooth decay from occurring.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is, unfortunately, one of the most common diseases in Europe and one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Also referred to as gingivitis, gum disease can cause inflammation of the gums, bleeding or receding gums, bad breath/halitosis, and a change in colour of the gums to a dusky purple.
It can also increase sensitivity and pain, especially when brushing the teeth. In advanced cases, and if left untreated, gum disease can lead to abscesses, a loose tooth, and the loss of a tooth.
How often should I visit the dental hygienist?
At Walmsley Dental, we recommend that all our patients visit our hygienist once or twice a year. In some cases, we may recommend more appointments – this could be to help tackle any oral health issues you may be having or to help prepare for an upcoming treatment.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque in the mouth. This sticky film of bacteria builds up and hardens, causing the gums to become red and swollen and, in some cases, to bleed.
It can then spread to the bones surrounding the gums if left untreated and make it painful for the patient to chew and eat. Eventually, gum disease can lead to an abscess, a loose tooth, and the total loss of a tooth.
What causes plaque build-up?
A build-up of plaque in the mouth is usually caused by poor hygiene habits. If you’re not brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and regular flossing, you could be at risk of gum disease.
What symptoms are associated with gum disease?
Bleeding gums.
Receding gums.
Change in colour of the gums – to either red or dusky purple.
Bad breath.
Abscess.
Loose tooth or teeth.
What happens during a hygiene appointment?
Your hygienist will first carry out a full examination of the gums and other structures of support in the mouth, checking for signs of gum disease and tooth decay. They will then perform a thorough, professional cleaning finishing off with polish so that your teeth look and feel great.
During this time, they will also be able to go over your at-home routine and make recommendations on how to improve it based on your own particular health needs.
I literally hate visiting dentists but I actually look forward to my visits. Every member of staff are helpful polite and very welcoming. I have never had to complain about any of the work I have done and what’s more it’s painless…. Well maybe a little pain😀
From my initial appointment I have received the best care and advice from everyone at the practise. Dr. Walmsley understood what I wanted and gave me a clear process of what I needed to get my teeth and oral hygiene to what it should be. I have had 2 appointments with the hygienist, Khalid who was fabulous and efficient. I can’t recommend the practise and both Dr Walmsley and Khalid enough!
I have been using this practice for around 18 months and today I seen Dr Eva Miller and her wonderful assistant jade. This service and treatment I received was 1st class thank you very much ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have had a composite bonding polish today with Khalid and I’m really really impressed with the results! So happy! I was made to feel very comfortable and at ease, and told what was going on the whole way through! Definitely worth the money and will be back for another polish in the future. Thanks guys :-) Rachel Kidd
I've have seen Kal the hygienist twice now. After my first visit with pretty bad gum disease, I followed Kal's advice and 3months later my gums are no longer bleeding and my mouth health is much better. I would definitely recommend this practice. 👌
Absolutely wonderful - I can't thank Khalid enough, was warm and welcoming and made me feel at ease. Through past experiences I have always dreaded my hygiene appointments, but Khalid made me feel relaxed almost instantly and was honestly the best hygiene appointment I have ever had! Thank you!
My wife has been to the hygienist Khal today and cannot praise him enough. As well as a thorough clean and scale gave her lots of advice on how to maintain her oral health. Very friendly and actually cares for his patients, definitely going to keep regularquarterly appointments to ensure her teeth and gums are properly cleaned. Would definitely recommend, can see the difference already. Great customer service.
I recently went to Dr Hannah for my Botox- after a bad experience with another practitioner she completely restored my confidence in the procedure. She’s kind and patient and genuinely the whole procedure was pain free (and bordering on relaxing!) Stark contrast from my previous experience. 5*s doesn’t do her justice - I don’t think I could recommend her highly enough
Had my sure smile braces fitted by Dr Ed W after my smile had become crooked. 6 months on and they are perfectly straight again.I'm very happy with the results. The staff at the dentist are wonderful and looked after me. I would definitely recommend them if you are looking to get your teeth straight.....and for anyone who has had tram track braces in the 90s there is not gloopy impressions involved either....all digital.
Absolutely the best dentist around! 100 % worth the miles travelled over the pat 6 months .I got recommended Ed and Emma by a friend as I hadn't been confident to follow up treatment with other dentists . They both reassured me of the treatment plan, even contacting a professor for the best course of action moving forward.The results have been amazing , I am so happy with my smile now and only wish now I had been to them sooner . The whole process was so professional and Keeley was excellent at making me appointments to fit around my work schedule and travelling from Sheffield . Thank you so much, you were all a lovely team to meet.
Having not visited the dentist for many years, I was extremely nervous. Eva and her assistant made me feel comfortable and at ease. She explained everything to me and showed no judgement. I have now had 9 teeth out with Eva and can honestly say I have had no post extraction problems. My dentures will be ready for xmas. I cannot thank Eva enough for restoring my confidence. You are amazing Eva and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Went for my first appointment and saw Dr Hannah. She was brilliant! I am usually really nervous at the dentist but Hannah made me feel really comfortable and put me at ease straight away. She was professional and approachable. The dental surgery was really nice and all the staff there were lovely. Happy to have found a dentist I will stick with.
Don’t usually leave a review but was really happy with the quality of service from Edward. I don’t love going to the dentist but made me feel at ease instantly and explained everything to me. Usually find dentists speak in a different language and don’t explain things to you but he did it perfectly. I couldn’t fault my experience
Recently I had 6 teeth out and had a full Denture fitted Emma was brilliant as I am absolutely terrified of going only down side I had to go Private as they are not taking NHS patients on at moment think I will be staying with them .
Visited on the 24th April for a checkup, I was seen by Eva and Megan and they instantly made me feel comfortable and at ease especially considering the dentist is a stress-inducing place. They were knowlegable and answered my queries and made me laugh, such lovely ladies, will definitly feel less anxious the next time i visit after this encounter !
I've had a great experience as a patient here so far. All the staff were friendly and there's been no unreasonably long wait times. Special thanks to the dentist looking after me (Eva) who is great at explaining dental concerns, treatment options and following through with referrals, call backs and etc.
Excellent treatment from hannah and Angela this morning. Made a dental appointment a plesant and relaxed experience. Thanks again ladies. see you in 6 month!
Eva and her partner are absolutely amazing. They show no judgment, put me at complete ease, were genuinely excited about transforming my smile and exceeded any expectation I had. Cannot recommend them enough for the amazing work they did, compassion they shown and for giving me my confidence back!
We been using this dentist over 15 yrs now n ad no problems, the staff r lovley n friendly. Only problems do av is if u want school hols its not always easy.
