It?s not only your car that needs an annual check: our mouth, teeth and gums need regular TLC too. Here we find out what to expect at a hygienist appointment

Words Hannah Hopkins

A hygienist appointment might not sound like the sexiest of treatments, but when it comes to the health of your mouth, and therefore your teeth, it should be an essential date in your diary. Alongside dental check-ups, there are a number of surprisingly simple ways to enhance both your smile and keep your oral health in check. One of them is a hygienist appointment, something you should typically do every six months – who knew"
We try one at Elleven Dental in Mayfair, a top-notch practice where their resident hygienists provide advice on teeth care, perform high-level cleaning services and help to spot signs of problems such as plaque build-up and gum disease before they become serious issues.
After an assessment of my teeth, which I rather naively thought were fine, I?m told there?s lots of tartar buildup that needs to be addressed and that I haven?t been brushing my teeth correctly (tut tut). Despite my using an electric toothbrush twice a day, plus mouthwash and going for regular dentist appointments, it seems I?ve not been giving my teeth the treatment they deserve and if I keep down that path it could lead to the likes of receding gums (yikes).
Slightly concerned, I?m reassured that after a deep clean and tartar removal I?ll be back on...