Dental Practice, Kennington
Dental Hygienist in Kennington
If your gums bleed when you brush, that's not something to live with — it's the earliest, cheapest, most fixable stage of gum disease. A hygiene appointment is £90.
- Hygiene appointment from £90
- Airflow stain removal £145
- Gentle with sensitive gums
What does a dental hygienist do?
A dental hygienist professionally cleans your teeth — removing the hardened plaque (tartar) that brushing at home cannot shift — and treats the gum inflammation it causes.
Plaque forms on everyone's teeth every day. Brushing removes most of it. What's left hardens into tartar within a couple of days, and once it's hard, no toothbrush on earth will move it. It has to be scaled off.
That matters because tartar sits at the gum line and irritates the gum, which is what makes gums red, puffy and prone to bleeding. Clear it away and healthy gums settle down within days.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Gums that bleed when you brush are inflamed. It is the first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, and at that stage it is completely reversible.
Most people react to bleeding gums by brushing that area more gently, or avoiding it. That's the opposite of what helps — the bleeding is caused by plaque sitting against the gum, so backing off makes it worse.
The reason it's worth acting on quickly is what comes next. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum only. Left long enough it becomes periodontitis, where the infection reaches the bone that holds your teeth in. Gum recedes, teeth loosen, and the bone that's lost does not grow back.
Gingivitis is reversible. Periodontitis is not — it is managed. The difference between the two is why an early hygiene visit matters.
Gingivitis vs periodontitis: what's the difference?
The distinction matters because one is reversible and the other is only containable. This is why a hygiene appointment is worth booking before things feel serious.
| Gingivitis | Periodontitis | |
|---|---|---|
| What it affects | The gum only | The gum and the bone beneath it |
| Signs | Red, puffy gums; bleeding when brushing | Receding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, gaps opening up |
| Is it painful? | Usually not | Often not, until it is advanced |
| Reversible? | Yes, fully | No — treatment stops it progressing, but lost bone does not return |
| Usual treatment | Hygiene appointment and better technique at home | Deeper cleaning, closer monitoring, and ongoing maintenance |
Studies have linked untreated gum disease to heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, digestive disorders and premature delivery in pregnancy. Looking after your gums is not only about your mouth.
You'll get advice for your mouth specifically — which two spots you keep missing, and what to change. Practical, not a lecture.
Step by step
What happens at a hygiene appointment
We check your gums first
A look at the health of your gums and how much build-up there is, so the cleaning is aimed at what you actually have rather than a standard scrape.
Professional cleaning
Tartar is removed from above and just below the gum line, including the places a brush has never reached. Tell us if a spot is sensitive — we can numb it, and there's no prize for enduring it.
Stain removal, if you want it
Airflow (£145) uses a jet of fine powder and water to lift coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco staining from the surface of the enamel. It's the reason teeth can look noticeably brighter after a hygiene visit without any whitening.
Fluoride and a plan
A fluoride treatment strengthens the enamel, and you get specific advice for your mouth — which two spots you keep missing, and what to change. Practical, not a lecture.
Looking after your teeth at home
Hygiene visits deal with what's already there. These are what stop it coming back:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes, and change your brush or brush head every three months — splayed bristles clean badly.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste, and a low-fluoride one for young children.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or interdental brushes. This is the step almost everyone skips, and it's where gum disease starts.
- Don't rinse after brushing. Spit, don't rinse — washing the toothpaste away removes the fluoride you just applied.
- Cut down on how often you eat sugar, not just how much. Frequency does more damage than quantity.
- Drink plenty of water, and eat a balanced diet with leafy greens, lean protein and calcium.
Fees
How much does a dental hygienist cost in Kennington?
| Appointment | Price |
|---|---|
| Hygienist — 25–30 minutes | £90 |
| Hygienist — 55–60 minutes | £200 |
| Airflow stain removal | £145 |
| Scale & polish with the dentist | £100 |
A 25–30 minute visit suits most people coming regularly. A longer appointment is for heavier build-up or a first visit after a long gap.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much is a hygienist appointment in Kennington?
A 25–30 minute hygiene appointment at Pure Elegant Smile is £90, and a 55–60 minute appointment is £200. Airflow stain removal is £145.
How often should I see a hygienist?
Every six months works for most people. If you've had gum disease, smoke, or have diabetes, more frequent visits are usually advised — your dentist will tell you what your own mouth needs.
Does a hygiene appointment hurt?
It shouldn't. Gums that are already inflamed can be tender, which is exactly why they need cleaning. If any area is uncomfortable we can numb it — just say so rather than gritting your teeth through it.
Will a hygiene appointment whiten my teeth?
It removes surface staining, which often makes teeth look noticeably brighter — especially with Airflow. It doesn't change the natural colour of the tooth underneath; that's what teeth whitening does.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis — the early stage, where gums bleed but bone is unaffected — can be fully reversed. Periodontitis, where bone has already been lost, can be stabilised and controlled but the lost bone does not grow back. That's why early treatment matters.
Do I need to see the dentist as well as the hygienist?
Yes — they're doing different jobs. The hygienist treats your gums and cleans your teeth; the dentist checks for decay, cracks, failing fillings and anything else that needs treating. Most people have both twice a year.
I've been told I have receding gums. Can that be fixed?
Gum that has receded doesn't grow back, but recession can usually be stopped from getting worse — by treating the gum disease causing it, and by correcting brushing that is too hard or too abrasive. Sensitive exposed roots can be protected and treated.
Getting here
Hygiene appointments for Kennington and South East London
We're on Kennington Lane in SE11, between Kennington and Vauxhall stations, and see patients from Kennington, Vauxhall, Oval, Lambeth, Waterloo, Stockwell and Elephant & Castle. Evening appointments run until 7pm four days a week.
Book a hygiene appointment
If your gums have been bleeding for a while, the fix is usually one appointment and a small change to what you do at home. It rarely needs to be more complicated than that.
Or call us on 0203 950 6620
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10am–7pm · Closed Wed, Sat, Sun97 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 4HQ
Reviewed by Dr Nader Gavgani, GDC 75484