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Dentistry Dental hygiene – healthy gums
A big part of keeping your mouth, teeth and gums healthy is through effective brushing and flossing. As well as professionally cleaning your teeth and gums, our dental hygiene team will advise you on the best way to brush and floss your teeth, and advise you on other ways to improve the appearance of your teeth, such as limiting smoking, consumption of tea, coffee and red wine.
Simple, they will save your teeth!
Regular visits to a good dental hygienist in Portishead will reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth decay and dental plaque build-up. So much so, that hygienists can often pick up the very earliest signs of tooth decay, which might mean you wouldn’t end up with a filling.
Your general health also depends a lot on eating a healthy balanced diet. Eating and drinking habits affect the health of your teeth and mouth. Sugar has recently come back into the headlines for having a significant negative impact on health. Eating and drinking foods and liquids with high sugar content in combination with the presence plaque, a soft sticky substance that consists of bacteria that feed on these sugars, can lead to tooth decay.
The bacteria produce acid waste that attacks the teeth, resulting in tooth erosion and tooth decay. If plaque is not removed, it hardens and becomes tartar, which makes the teeth feel rough and can be visible in the mouth, making any smile unsightly. It also creates an easier surface for the plaque to stick to, making the problem even worse. Only a hygienist can remove tartar once it starts to build up, but with good home oral hygiene, you can significantly reduce or prevent the build-up of tartar.
Our dental hygienists in our Portishead dental practice near Bristol will not only look after your dental health, but advise you on how to brush your teeth and use interdental brushes correctly so that you can maintain your own good dental hygiene at home, this will help you avoid tooth decay and gum disease.
“Place the bristles of the brush gently at the join between your teeth and gums, with the bristles pointing towards your gums, then brush in small circular movements.
Ensure you brush all around every tooth making sure you can feel the gentle pressure of the brush on your gums too. Don’t apply too much pressure as this may damage your gums, you are looking to clean your teeth and massage your gums.
Think of your mouth in four separate sections: top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right spending 30 seconds on each section. This will ensure you spend the recommended 2 minutes brushing your teeth.
Change your toothbrush every 3 months minimum this will help prevent gum disease and ensure your brush is working properly. If the bristles bend out of shape, replace your brush immediately. Also, purchase a toothbrush with a small head, to make sure that every tooth is cleaned.”
A dental hygienist focuses on preventive oral health care, helping you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Their work includes scale and polish treatments, removing plaque and tartar, giving oral hygiene advice, and monitoring signs of gum disease.
Yes, regular visits to a dental hygienist are one of the most effective ways to prevent gum disease. By professionally removing plaque and tartar build-up, your hygienist helps reduce inflammation and stop early signs of gum disease (gingivitis) from progressing into more serious conditions like periodontitis.
It’s generally recommended to see a hygienist every 6 months, but this can vary depending on your oral health. People with gum disease or those prone to plaque build-up may benefit from more frequent visits, such as every 3 months.
Your hygienist will examine your mouth, then carry out a scale and polish to remove plaque and tartar. They may also provide personalised advice on brushing, flossing, and lifestyle habits such as diet and smoking that affect your oral health.
Most patients find the procedure comfortable. You may feel some vibration or mild sensitivity, especially if you have gum issues. Hygienists can adjust their technique or use numbing gel if you’re concerned about discomfort.
Prices typically range from £80 to £150 for a standard 30-minute hygiene appointment, depending on the practice and whether additional treatments like airflow (advanced cleaning) are included. Some practices offer membership plans with hygienist visits included.
Airflow is a gentle yet powerful cleaning technique that uses a mix of water, air, and fine powder to remove stains and plaque. It’s ideal for patients with sensitive teeth or braces and offers a more comfortable, thorough clean than traditional scaling alone.
Yes, persistent bad breath (halitosis) is often caused by plaque build-up or gum disease, both of which a hygienist can address. They’ll also help you improve your oral hygiene routine to reduce bacteria that cause bad breath.
NHS hygienist services are limited and usually provided as part of a wider treatment plan through your NHS dentist. For more regular or cosmetic cleaning, many patients choose private hygienist appointments, which offer more flexibility and shorter waiting times.
Most dental practices in Portishead offer hygienist services. Look for clinics that are GDC-registered and have positive patient reviews.
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We are accepting new patients, book an introduction call today
Book An Introduction Call The best part of our job?
It’s this.
That first smile when someone sees the result of their treatment.
The confidence that comes from feeling comfortable smiling in photos again.
The relief of finally being out of pain.
The moment someone realises visiting the dentist wasn’t nearly as daunting as they expected.
Behind every smile is a person, a story and a journey. Being trusted to be part of that is something we never take for granted.
Thank you to every patient who chooses Evolve Dentistry. Helping you smile with confidence really is the best part of what we do. 💙
✨ How can you keep your teeth white?
In this short video, Dr Richard Ford shares some simple ways to help keep your smile looking its best:
• Attend regular hygiene appointments to help remove surface staining.
• Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
• Be mindful of foods and drinks that can cause staining, such as black coffee, red wine and turmeric.
• If you’d like a brighter smile, professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective option.
The reality is that teeth naturally pick up stains over time. The good news is that a few simple habits can make a real difference.
If you’re thinking about whitening your teeth, or you’re not sure which option is right for you, we’re always happy to help you understand your choices with no pressure.
Have you got a question about keeping your teeth white? Leave it in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer it.
“Friendly staff and everything runs smoothly.”
When people describe their experience at Evolve, it’s often the little things they remember.
A warm welcome. A friendly conversation. Feeling listened to. Appointments that run smoothly. A team that genuinely cares.
We believe great patient care starts long before you sit in the dental chair. That’s why every member of our practice works together to make your visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Thank you to everyone who shares their feedback with us. It helps us continue to provide the experience we would want for our own families.
If you’re looking for a dental practice where you’ll feel genuinely looked after, we’d love to welcome you.
📞 Get in touch to arrange your first visit.
Can you spot the odd object? 🔍
This summer, we’re proud to be taking part in the RNLI Portishead Lifeboat Station Spot the Odd Object trail! 🚤❤️
From 25 July to 29 August, explore Portishead, visit participating businesses and see if you can spot the mystery object hidden in each window - including ours here at Evolve Dentistry!
Not only is it a great way to enjoy a family day out, but every £5 entry helps support the incredible volunteers at RNLI Portishead Lifeboat Station, who work tirelessly to help keep people safe at sea.
📍 Visit our practice and see if you can find our hidden object.
👀 Don’t forget to complete your entry form for your chance to win one of the fantastic cash prizes!
If you take part, we’d love to see your photos - tag Evolve Dentistry and let us know when you’ve found our mystery object!
Good luck… and happy spotting! 🔎💙
#Portishead #RNLI #SpotTheOddObject #SupportLocal #FamilyFun #EvolveDentistry #PortisheadEvents #SummerHolidays
Will composite bonding damage my teeth?
It’s a common concern, especially for patients who want to improve their smile while protecting their natural teeth.
The good news is that composite bonding is often one of the most conservative cosmetic dental treatments available. In many cases, little or no preparation of the tooth is required, meaning your natural tooth structure can be preserved.
Composite bonding can be used to improve the appearance of:
✔ Chipped teeth
✔ Small gaps between teeth
✔ Uneven tooth shapes
✔ Worn edges
✔ Minor imperfections
Because the treatment is minimally invasive, many patients choose composite bonding when they want to enhance their smile without significant changes to their natural teeth.
Every smile is unique, so we’ll always discuss your options and explain exactly what’s involved before any treatment begins.
📍 Evolve Dentistry, Portishead
#Northsomerset #multiawardwinning #patientsatisfaction #patientsfirst #compositebonding #smilemakeovers #cosmeticdentistry #newpatients #naturalteeth #healthysmiles #healthysmile #acceptingnewpatients #nailsea #portishead #clevedon #portisheadmarina #dentist #smiledesign #bonding #confidentsmile #cosmeticsmile
Reading comments like this reminds us why we do what we do.
Helping people feel comfortable and cared for is just as important as providing great dentistry.
Thank you for your kind words.
You could be grinding your teeth every night… without even knowing it. 😴
Many people assume they’d know if they were clenching or grinding their teeth.
In reality, most don’t.
As Richard explains, while we’re asleep our brains continue processing the events and stresses of the day. For some people, that stress is released through clenching or grinding their teeth - but because the part of the brain that would normally recognise it is effectively switched off during sleep, we often have no idea it’s happening.
Over time, tooth grinding can contribute to:
• Worn or chipped teeth
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Morning headaches
• Sensitive teeth
• Disrupted sleep
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, it’s worth mentioning them at your next appointment. We can look for the signs of tooth grinding and discuss ways to help protect your teeth before more damage occurs.
Have you ever been told you grind your teeth, or has someone heard you doing it while you sleep?
#ToothGrinding #Bruxism #HealthySmile #DentalHealth #Portishead #EvolveDentistry
