Dental hygiene

What is Dental Hygiene?

Professional dental hygiene is an essential part of oral health. It helps prevent plaque, tartar, tooth decay and gum disease, and improves your breath and the appearance of your smile.

Oral examination

A professional dental hygiene procedure always starts with a thorough oral examination. At this stage, the hygienist examines not only the teeth, but also the gums, tongue and oral mucosa as a whole.

What we assess during the examination:

  • The amount of plaque and tartar – we assess where soft plaque is accumulating and whether hard tartar has formed.
  • Signs of decay – the teeth are checked for visible decay or holes.
  • Gum health – checking for signs of inflammation, bleeding or receding gums, which may indicate gingivitis or periodontitis.
  • Tooth wear and erosions – the teeth are assessed for excessive wear or acid damage.
  • Mucosal condition – we check for inflammation, ulcers or other changes in the mucosa.
  • Overall bite assessment – if necessary, we also make recommendations about the row of teeth or bite characteristics.

This stage helps to determine exactly how intensive cleaning will be needed, as well as to spot problems early on that may require further dental treatment. For each patient, we provide personalised recommendations on how to take better care of their oral health at home.

Removal of tartar and plaque

After the oral examination, the main hygiene step begins – the removal of tartar and plaque. This procedure is essential to prevent the risk of cavities, gingivitis and other oral diseases.

How it works:

  1. Ultrasonic cleaning (scaler)
    We gently remove most of the hard tartar with an ultrasonic device. It works by high-frequency vibrations that effectively remove tartar from the tooth surface without damaging the enamel. At the same time, the machine rinses the cleaning area with a jet of water, cooling the tooth and rinsing away plaque residue.
  2. Using hand instruments
    Special hand instruments (curettes) are used to reach the areas between the teeth and near the gum line. These are used by the hygienist to carefully remove remaining plaque and tartar fragments from hard-to-reach areas.
  3. Removal of soft plaque
    In addition, soft plaque (bacterial film) that accumulates on the tooth surface and along the gum margin is removed. This is one of the main factors contributing to the development of gum disease and tooth decay.

This stage is completely safe and, thanks to modern technology, comfortable. If the gums are sensitive or inflamed, there may be slight sensitivity during the procedure, but after cleaning the gums will improve and the discomfort will pass quickly.

Tooth polishing

Once the plaque and tartar have been removed, the next important step is to polish your teeth. This procedure not only gives your teeth an aesthetic shine, but also significantly reduces the risk of plaque and tartar build-up.

How polishing works:

  1. Choosing a polishing paste
    The hygienist selects a suitable polishing paste – which can have different levels of abrasiveness, depending on the condition of the tooth surface. Pastes often also contain fluoride or other minerals that further strengthen the enamel.
  2. Polishing with a special brush or rubber cup
    A polishing paste is applied to the tooth surface with a rotating brush or soft rubber cup and each tooth surface is gently polished. Attention is paid not only to the incisors but also to the chewing surfaces and interdental areas.
  3. Smooth surface
    Polishing makes the tooth surface smooth, which makes it more difficult for bacteria and plaque to adhere. This helps to maintain a cleaner appearance for longer and at the same time improves the aesthetics of the smile – teeth become cleaner and shinier.

The procedure is quick, painless and very pleasant for many patients as the immediate results are visually noticeable.

Application of fluoride or minerals

After brushing and polishing, the procedure is completed with the application of fluoride or mineral preparations. This step is particularly important for strengthening tooth enamel and preventing tooth decay.

How it works:

  1. Choosing the product
    The hygienist chooses the most suitable product – it can be a fluoride gel, foam or varnish. For children and adults, different concentrations are used according to age and oral health status.
  2. Application on the teeth
    The fluoride or mineral preparation is applied evenly on the tooth surface with a special brush, syringe or individual trays. The procedure is quick and completely painless.
  3. Formation of a protective layer
    The preparation is absorbed into the tooth enamel in a short time, forming a protective layer that helps to reduce the sensitivity of the enamel, strengthens it and makes the teeth more resistant to acids and bacteria.
  4. Post-treatment recommendations
    After fluoride application, it is recommended not to eat or drink for 30 minutes to ensure maximum effect.

Frequently asked questions

Dental hygiene FAQ

We recommend dental hygiene every 6 months. If you have gum problems, tartar build-up or braces, you may need more frequent hygiene – every 3-4 months.

No, the procedure is usually painless. If the gums are sensitive, there may be some discomfort, but we always adjust the intensity of the cleaning and may use a superficial anaesthetic to ensure comfort.

Some patients may temporarily experience mild sensitivity, especially if they have had a lot of tartar or gingivitis. This goes away within 1-2 days and fluoride application helps to reduce this sensation.

Yes, teeth look visibly cleaner and brighter after hygiene, as plaque and surface pigments are removed. However, this is not whitening – the natural shade of the tooth remains unchanged.

Yes, even with careful home care, tartar and plaque build up and cannot be removed with a regular toothbrush. Professional hygiene complements home care, helps prevent disease and keeps your smile healthy.

Mandatory. Teeth whitening should only be performed on clean enamel to ensure even results and avoid sensitivity or complications.

OUR EXPERTS

MEET OUR EXPERTS

Dr. Julia

Hygienist

Dr. Julia

Hygienist

Dr. Julia

Hygienist

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Valis Dental has been operating since 1992 and is one of the first private dental practices in Latvia. Our long-standing experience allows us to provide safe and effective solutions.

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We offer everything from routine hygiene and whitening to complex implant and orthodontic procedures. We have everything you need for a beautiful and healthy smile.

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