Professional Dental Cleaning in London: How Often Should You Have It?

15 Oct 2025

For many individuals, a professional dental cleaning may feel easy to postpone. If you are brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, do you really need to see a hygienist as frequently? The answer is yes, because professional dental cleanings are one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your teeth and gums in the long run, supporting both your oral and general health.

In a city like London, with its busy lifestyles and coffee culture working against us, it is important to know how frequently to schedule your dental cleaning session to keep your smile bright and healthy.

Why Professional Dental Cleaning Is Important?

No matter how diligently you are brushing and flossing, tiny deposits of plaque and tartar can still build up in hard-to-reach areas between your teeth and along the gumline. Brushing alone can’t help and leaving hardened plaque and tartar on your teeth will irritate your gums, create inflammation, and if not addressed, lead to gum disease.

A professional dental cleaning – also known as a scale and polish – will get rid of any stubborn deposits on your teeth using specialised instruments. During the cleaning, your hygienist will:

• Carefully scale your teeth to remove plaque and tartar.
• Polish the surfaces to smooth the enamel and remove surface stains.
• Provide tailored advice on maintaining oral hygiene at home.

The outcome? Fresher breath, a whiter smile, and gums which are healthy and free from infection.

How Often Should You Have a Dental Cleaning in the UK?

It’s commonly recommended to visit a dental hygienist every six months for a professional cleaning. This is an overall good recommendation, but one should understand that the exact frequency is determined by your age, oral health and lifestyle habits.

According to dental hygienists throughout the UK, most adults should have a professional dental cleaning every six months along with a routine check-up. However, there are individuals who will require a visit more frequently.

Some examples include:

• Smokers are more susceptible to plaque build-up and gum sensitivity.
• Individuals with gum disease (like periodontitis or gingivitis) will need dental cleaning every 3 to 4 months to prevent its progression.
• Patients having dental appliances like implants, braces or bridges, will benefit from more frequent hygiene visits to clean hard-to-reach areas.
• Patients with dry mouth or diabetes will benefit from a more regular dental cleaning because they tend to be more vulnerable to infection.

Your hygienist will evaluate the health of your gums and will indicate at what intervals you should return for cleaning for maintaining optimal oral health.

What to expect during a Professional Dental Cleaning?

If you have not undergone a dental cleaning in some time, it is natural to not know what to expect. Luckily, it is a routine process that is usually comfortable and straightforward for most patients.

1. Initial Assessment

Your dental hygienist will proceed with an oral examination in which they will check for any signs of tartar, plaque or inflammation of the gums.

2. Scaling

Afterwards, special tools are used to gently scale or eliminate tartar from around the gumline as well as between your teeth. This is the most vital step of the entire process that helps prevent gum disease.

3. Polishing

After the scaling is done, the dental hygienist will apply a polishing technique or paste to get rid of stains and smooth and polish the teeth surface. Polishing your teeth makes it more difficult for new plaque to accumulate.

4. Fluoride Treatment (Optional)

Sometimes, your hygienist may apply a fluoride varnish to strengthen your enamel and help prevent decay.

5. Post-Care Recommendations

After the cleaning process, the hygienist will advise you on brushing, flossing and oral hygiene maintenance between your follow-up cleaning visits.

It is helpful to know that the cleaning appointment usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how much cleaning is required.

Advantages of Regular Professional Cleanings

Your regular dental cleaning does more than just keep your smile bright — it’s one of the best preventive measures to protect your teeth, save you discomfort, and avoid costly treatments in the future.

1. Prevents Gum Disease

Gingivitis, or gum disease, is one of the most prevalent dental issues in adults. Regular cleanings will eliminate the bacteria causing gum disease before it turns into periodontal disease, which actually causes tooth loss.

2. Freshens Breath

Chronic bad breath or halitosis is a common problem caused by bacteria or plaque accumulation. A professional dental cleaning will help get rid of the particles that cause that nasty breath and leave your mouth with a fresh and pleasant feeling.

3. Safeguards Comprehensive Health

Ongoing research indicates a relationship between deteriorated oral health and other systemic health issues like stroke, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory infections. Healthy gums not only protect your oral health but your overall health as well.

4. Boosts Confidence

Having a white, clean smile will increase your confidence and provide a great impression on those around you, which is particularly important for professionals and students in London.

5. Saves on Future Costs                                                                                                

Preventive dental care costs substantially less than the costs of treating advanced gum disease or tooth cavities. Regular hygiene visits can not only help you avoid more complex treatments such as root canal therapy or tooth replacement.

Signs You Need a Dental Cleaning Sooner

Even if your last cleaning was only a short time ago, some warning signs indicate that you may need to schedule a cleaning sooner rather than later:

• Bleeding of gums during brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• Tartar build-up or yellowish deposits along the gumline are visible
• Gum recession or sensitivity
• Discolouration that does not seem to improve even with brushing

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please book an appointment for dental cleaning as soon as possible.

How Dental Hygiene Services at South Kensington MD Can Help

At South Kensington MD, we are proud to offer dental hygiene appointments that go beyond simple dental cleanings. Our hygienists are highly skilled and use gentle and effective methods to eliminate plaque, polish your teeth, and give you personalised instructions for continuing oral care.

It is also important to know that everyone’s mouth is different and even if you typically come for a cleaning every six months, our dental service will recommend the best plan for your individual needs and oral condition.

If you want to know what goes on during a hygiene session, take a look at our complete guide:

Keeping Your Mouth Healthy In Between Visits

In order to maintain the benefits of your dental cleaning, consider these easy home care suggestions:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth every day using inter-proximal brushes or floss.
• Avoid snacks and drinks that contain sugar between meals.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to rinse your mouth, if your hygienist recommends it.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner once the bristles are fraying.

The most important thing is consistency – the work that the hygienist does will last longer if you maintain your oral care at home.

Conclusion

So, how frequently do you need to have a professional dental cleaning in London?

For most people, having a professional dental cleaning every six months is ideal. However, if you have a specific oral health concern, your hygienist may recommend that you visit more often.

Professional cleanings are not only for that bright white smile you desire; they are also an investment in your overall health! Frequent visits help to protect your teeth, prevent gum disease and contribute to your confident smile for years to come.

Schedule Your Dental Hygiene Appointment Today

Don’t delay until plaque becomes a serious problem.  Book your next professional cleaning with one of our skilled dental hygienists in South Kensington for a brighter and healthier smile.