Refresh Your Smile, Protect Your Health in Sussex
Do you feel like daily brushing still isn't getting your teeth clean enough? Bacterial plaque constantly forms in the tight spaces between your teeth, where a regular toothbrush simply cannot reach. While a strong home routine is essential, professional hygiene care is the key to maintaining a truly healthy, confident smile.
At Regency House Dental Practice, our registered hygienist provides expert advice and specialized treatments to remove stubborn plaque and tartar, prevent gum disease, and stop issues before they start. Beyond protecting your long-term oral health, routine hygiene visits leave your mouth feeling exceptionally clean, fresh, and fully refreshed.
Standard Hygiene Appointment (Scale & Polish)
This classic treatment focuses on the clinical health of your teeth and gums. Even with thorough home brushing, soft plaque hardens over time into tough calculus (tartar), which can only be removed professionally.
- How it works: Our hygienist uses ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments to break down and lift away tartar build-up above and below your gumline. Afterward, a rotating rubber cup with a gentle polishing paste smooths your enamel.
- Best for: Routine gum health maintenance, preventing gum disease, and removing hardened tartar.
Airflow® Hygiene Appointment
Airflow® is an advanced, gentle cleaning technique designed for superior stain removal and maximum patient comfort.
- How it works: Airflow® projects a fine spray of warm water, compressed air, and ultra-fine cleaning powder directly onto your teeth. This acts like a gentle “pressure wash” that reaches tight gaps, deep pockets, and natural grooves without direct tool scraping.
- Best for: Patients with stubborn coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco stains, sensitive teeth, dental anxiety, or those wearing braces, implants, and veneers.
How often should I book a hygiene appointment?
Most patients benefit from visiting our hygienist every 6 months to maintain optimal oral health. However, if you are prone to rapid tartar build-up or are managing gum disease, we may recommend a visit every 3 to 4 months.
What is the main difference between Scale & Polish and Airflow®?
A traditional scale and polish focuses on scraping away hardened tartar using physical tools, followed by a paste polish. Airflow® uses a soft jet of warm water and fine powder to blast away soft biofilm and deep surface stains quickly and comfortably, with far less physical contact.
Can I have Airflow® if I have dental implants, crowns, or braces?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, Airflow® is often a more recommended treatment than regular hygiene cleaning for patients with implants, crowns, or braces. The gentle slurry of water and fine powder accesses tight gaps around brackets and under restorative work without scratching dental materials or pulling on fixed appliances.
Can I book an Airflow® treatment before professional tooth whitening?
Yes, pairing Airflow® with a professional whitening treatment is highly recommended. By thoroughly clearing away plaque, biofilm, and stubborn surface stains beforehand, the whitening gel can make direct, even contact with your enamel for more consistent and predictable results.
Is the Airflow® treatment painful?
No. Airflow® is exceptionally gentle and ideal for nervous patients or those with sensitive teeth. The warm water temperature and fine powder eliminate the cold sensation and scraping vibration often felt during standard scaling.
Does Airflow® whiten my teeth?
While Airflow® is not a chemical bleaching treatment, it removes heavy surface discoloration caused by tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking. This restores your teeth to their natural bright shade, making them look noticeably cleaner immediately.
Is there any special aftercare required following an Airflow® treatment?
We recommend avoiding highly pigmented food and drink—such as black coffee, tea, red wine, soy sauce, or beetroot—as well as smoking for at least 2 to 3 hours after your appointment.
