If you’re looking for a highly rated and experienced dental hygienist near you in Reading, then our friendly oral hygiene team will be happy to help.
Our dental hygienists have over 20 years of combined experience and are fantastic at helping nervous patients overcome any dental phobias.
Our team includes our friendly dental hygienist, therapist and nurse Kelly Couldridge (GDC No. 190483), who has over 14 years of extensive dentistry experience.
Periodontics experts at Markham Associates include specialist Oral Surgeon Flavio Pisani (GDC No. 248718), who has over 10 years of extensive dentistry and gum disease experience.
Why choose us for dental hygiene treatments?
✔️ Over 230 5* Google patient reviews
✔️ One of the highest Google-rated dentists near you in Reading
✔️ One of the most established dentists in Reading – over 40 years
✔️ Highly experienced specialist gum disease oral surgeon
✔️ Delivering fantastic results at great prices
✔️ Accepting new patients
✔️ Friendly and modern clinic
Our dental hygiene prices
To keep the cost of this essential treatment as low as possible, we ensure our prices are extremely competitive compared to other highly experienced dental hygienists near us in Reading.
Hygiene treatments
- Scale & Polish Hygienist30 minutes£69
- Simple scaling (done by the dentist)15 minutes£45
- Deep Scaling (done by the Hygienist)30 minutes£89
- Deep Scaling (done by the Hygienist)1 hour£178
- Periochip£44
Our latest Reading dental hygienist reviews via Google Business
“Highly recommend Markham the dentist and hygienist, I have been with them for many years and my teeth are in tiptop condition thanks to their hygienist and oral hygiene care.”
“The whole team was exceptional Maria the Receptionist was lovely Dr Kamran and Kiru the hygienist made me feel so comfortable and relaxed.
If you have not been to a dentist for a long time either through nerves or bad experiences you will be happy here and I have both fears.”
“I take my step aunt to Markhams for her dental and hygienist appointments as she has dementia. Dr Kamran is always very gentle and calm with her. He always chats briefly about her past and makes her chuckle. The hygienist and dentist both offer very good dental advice and the appointments always go smoothly.”
“I’m an anxious patient and I asked my friends which dentist they use. I found Ali to be a kind, patient and understanding dentist. I also found the hygienist to have the same qualities. Reception is always friendly and they send useful reminders.”
“Professional and friendly receptionist, both dentist / hygienist explanations were informative and easy to understand, would definitely recommend.”
“Very helpful, polite and considerate. Great dental care from both dentist and hygienist.”
Karen Robbins
What does a dental hygienist do?
While it may seem obvious that the dental hygienist’s primary purpose is to clean teeth, there are a number of roles and procedures they can perform to keep your teeth healthy and looking their best.
Dental hygienists can undertake the following roles and procedures:
Dental cleaning / Scale and polish
Dental cleaning is the most common procedure conducted by a dental hygienist. The dental hygienist will use various techniques to remove stains, tartar and plaque from your teeth.
Our scale and polish treatment is a routine but thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums and is carried out by our dental hygienist. It is essentially a preventative measure, but can also be used to reverse or manage gum disease when already present.
This improves patient health by preventing cavities, tooth loss and overall oral health, as well as keeping your smile bright.
Dental X-rays
Dental X-rays are a staple service for a dental hygienist. Hygienists will take dental X-Rays to spot problems early and treat them accordingly. X-rays allow dental hygienists to detect cavities, oral infections and even gum disease and tumours.
Frequency of X-rays will depend on the patient based on general dental health, symptoms, age and risk of disease, but it is fairly common for hygienist to take X-rays.
Preventative care
Dental hygienists believe prevention is better than cure when it comes to oral health. After cleaning, dental hygienists make a point to educate patients on preventative oral care.
Fluoride treatments and application of sealants can play an important role in preventative care.
Fluoride treatments can be used to strengthen teeth and fortify against acid erosion, perfect for preventing and reversing tooth decay.
Sealants are a great option as they control decay in areas of the mouth that are prone to decay such as the back of the teeth. This treatment is often used on children as well as adults.
Teach dental hygiene best practice
A big part of a dental hygienist’s role is to educate patients on oral care. They will teach patients how to brush and floss in the correct manner and explain the reasons for doing so.
They will also stress the link between diet and oral health and make recommendations on toothbrushes and other oral care products.
Why the hygienist is your tooth’s best friend
Gum disease is the greatest threat to your teeth, claiming responsibility for a staggering 75% of adult tooth loss. This is why the next time you visit your dentist, you should also see the hygienist and follow their expert advice.
The bacteria in dental plaque cause gum disease. Bleeding gums or gingivitis is the first stage and is very common in people of all ages.
Careful brushing and flossing can keep the levels of bacteria low, but it is not unusual for it to build up on your teeth, creating a hard deposit that can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist.
If left untreated, gingivitis may progress to the stage where the bone, which holds the teeth in place, is gradually destroyed. This is generally painless, and you will only notice when your teeth become loose.
This is why it is so vital to have regular hygienist appointments. You need to ensure that your teeth are regularly scaled and polished.
The hygienist can also check your gums to see how healthy they are and will recommend the best way to care for them. In most cases, this means flossing or brushing between your teeth.
There are many gadgets available now to help you floss and brush much easier. We can show you the best way to carry out these fiddly tasks.
Dental hygiene frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist appointment cost?
Our dental hygienist is only available privately and will cost £69 per visit.
For more information on oral hygiene or to make an appointment, please call us on 0118 950 2275 or 0118 957 4308 and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Does the dentist or hygienist clean teeth?
Most teeth cleanings are performed by dental hygienists as their main concern is general hygiene and preventative care as opposed to more skilled treatments.
Should you go to the dentist or hygienist?
Usually, a patient will visit their dentist for a regular check-up. During these check-ups, the dentist may spot early signs of oral health problems such as of gum disease and refer the patient to the hygienist.
If a patient feels that they would like to see a dental hygienist and not a dentist, that is possible.
Do you have to see a dental hygienist regularly?
Hygienists will advise about how often you should book appointments depending on your current state of oral health and the risk of more serious conditions. This can range from a few weeks between appointments to annual visits.
Is hygiene treatment painful?
Procedures and treatments such as a scale and polish are relatively pain-free. If a patient feels pain or discomfort, dental hygienists can offer local anaesthetics to help.
