Regular dental hygiene sessions are a great way to be proactive about the health of your gums and teeth. Not only do they offer protection from tartar and plaque, but they also often pick up serious problems before they get the chance to deteriorate. Most dental hygiene appointments begin with an initial assessment — followed by ‘scaling’ to remove significant plaque and tartar accumulations. Your dental hygienist will use scalers and curettes to gently remove deposits, using mirrors to identify areas of concern. After a thorough clean, the hygienist will then shine and polish your teeth to remove superficial staining. If decay is identified, fluoride or antibacterial gel will be applied.