It usually takes somewhere between half an hour and an hour. How long yours takes depends mostly on how much tartar there is to remove. If you come in regularly, it’s often on the quicker side. If it’s been a while since your last clean, your hygienist may need a bit longer to do a proper job.
At YOR Dental in MediaCity, Manchester, plenty of our patients fit their hygiene visit around work.
Why some cleans take longer
Plaque is the soft, sticky stuff that builds up on your teeth every day. Brushing gets most of it off. But the bits you miss can harden into tartar, often along the gumline or behind your bottom front teeth.
Once it’s hard, your toothbrush can’t shift it. The more tartar there is, the longer it takes your hygienist to clear it, and the more care they’ll need to take around your gums.
What happens during your appointment
We use Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) at YOR Dental. First, your hygienist gives your teeth a gentle air polish with warm water and a fine powder. It lifts plaque and stains from things like tea and coffee. After that, they’ll scrape off any hard tartar that’s left using a small tool called a scaler.
They’ll also check your gums and show you any spots you tend to miss when brushing.
How much does it cost?
A hygiene clean at YOR Dental starts from £102, or £126 for new patients.
Please note: prices shown are a guide. Your final price will be confirmed at the clinic.
After your clean
Your gums might feel a bit tender for a day or so, especially if there was a lot of tartar. That’s normal and should settle quickly.
Don’t try picking tartar off yourself at home with toothpicks or anything sharp. You can easily hurt your gums. Leave it to your hygienist.
Coming in twice a year is usually enough to keep tartar under control, which also keeps your appointments nice and quick.
Frequently asked questions
Will it hurt if my gums bleed?
If your gums are sore or inflamed, you might feel a bit more during the clean. Let your hygienist know at the start. They can take things gently and talk to you about ways to keep you comfortable.
Can I go straight back to work afterwards?
Yes. There’s no recovery time, so you can carry on with your day as normal.
The insights shared in our articles are meant to educate and inform, not to replace a face to face consultation. Every smile is unique, and a proper diagnosis can only be made by a qualified clinical professional. Please book an appointment with our team or consult your local dentist for advice tailored to your specific oral health needs.
