Experienced Scaling and Polishing for Golders Green Patients

Regular scaling and polishing is a cornerstone of preventive dental care. Book a hygiene appointment if it's been more than six months since your last clean, since tartar tends to build up even with good home care. It's also right if you notice signs of early gum disease such as bleeding gums when you brush, persistent bad breath, or red and swollen gums. A recent patient from Golders Green came with these symptoms; after a 45-minute hygiene session, the bleeding stopped within a week. This treatment also removes stubborn surface stains from coffee, tea, or red wine, helping restore your teeth's natural brightness.

Your hygiene appointment lasts about 30-45 minutes. First, our dentist or hygienist checks your gum health. Then an ultrasonic scaler loosens the larger tartar deposits from the tooth surfaces. Next, we use fine hand tools to remove remaining plaque and tartar around the gum line and between teeth. Finally, a rotating brush with a gritty paste polishes your teeth, removing surface stains and leaving them smooth. You receive oral hygiene advice tailored to your needs.

Recovery is quick. You return to regular activities immediately. Some patients have minor tooth sensitivity for a day or two, especially after removing tartar. This is temporary. To help results last, avoid strongly coloured foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, or curries for at least 4-6 hours after the appointment, as teeth are more porous right after polishing. If you experience persistent or severe sensitivity, call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7).

A standard scale and polish cleans above the gum line and helps prevent gingivitis. But if you have more advanced gum disease called periodontitis, with pockets between teeth and gums, this treatment alone may not suffice. The main alternative is a deep clean, also known as root surface debridement. This procedure is more extensive, often done under local anaesthetic, and involves cleaning the tooth roots below the gum line to remove bacteria and tartar from the pockets. We assess your gum health first to determine if a standard hygiene visit is enough or if a deep clean is needed to protect your teeth and bone.

To ensure high quality care, whether at our Finchley practice or another provider, here are some key questions to ask. First, ask 'What is the total cost, and does it include a full mouth assessment?' This clarifies any hidden fees. Also ask 'Is the appointment with a dental hygienist or a dentist?' Both are qualified, but it's good to know. For comfort, ask 'What do you do for patients with sensitive teeth?' Finally ask 'Based on my oral health, how often do you recommend I have this done?' An experienced professional will provide a personalised schedule, not a generic six-month answer.

Our fee for a private scaling and polishing appointment at our Finchley practice ranges from £70 to £120. The price depends on time required and extent of tartar buildup. This fee is fully transparent and includes a gum health check, the complete scaling process using ultrasonic and hand instruments, and professional polishing. There are no hidden fees. As a private-only practice, we do not offer NHS services. However, we do accept patients with private dental insurance from providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please contact our reception team to discuss your plan coverage before your appointment.