Teeth cleaning & gum care
We're delighted to welcome Sophie Wan, our oral health therapist, to the Northcote Family Dentist team. Sophie is now taking bookings for teeth cleans and gum care for North Shore families.
Sophie is a registered oral health therapist who has joined our team here in Northcote. She loves helping people feel comfortable at the dentist and look after their teeth and gums for the long run.
Whether it's your first clean in years or your regular six-monthly visit, she'll explain what she's doing, check you're comfortable, and give you simple tips you can use at home. No lectures, no pressure.
Both can clean your teeth. They just have different jobs in looking after your mouth, and together they give you the full picture.
The focus is prevention. Appointments are all about removing plaque and calculus (tartar), polishing, caring for your gums, and helping you build good habits at home. Because cleaning is their speciality, you get the time and attention to do it thoroughly, which really matters if you have build-up or gum problems.
Your dentist looks at the bigger clinical picture. They examine your teeth, gums and bite, diagnose problems like decay, and plan and carry out treatment such as fillings, crowns and extractions. Regular check-ups alongside your cleans catch small problems early.
Every mouth is different, so we don't believe in one-size-fits-all. Not sure which clean you need? Book in and we'll work it out together.
30 to 45 minutes
For regular visitors with very little build-up. If you keep up with your cleans every six to twelve months and look after your teeth at home, this is your maintenance visit. We remove light plaque and surface stains with a scale and polish, and make sure your gums are staying healthy.
30 to 45 minutes
For a moderate amount of plaque or calculus. Plaque is the soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth every day. Left alone, it hardens into calculus (tartar), which brushing can't remove. It tends to gather along the gumline and behind the lower front teeth, and can cause bleeding gums, bad breath and staining. This scale and polish carefully removes the build-up and smooths your teeth. It's a great fit if it's been a little longer than planned between cleans, or if you build up tartar quickly.
45 minutes to 1 hour per session
For long gaps between cleans, gum disease or periodontal disease. If it's been a long time since your last clean, or your gums are inflamed, bleeding or pulling away from your teeth, you'll need a longer, more detailed clean. We may spread the work over more than one visit so we can look after you gently and thoroughly. Caring for your gums early helps protect your teeth for years to come. Our hygienist will explain what they find, what's needed, and how often to come back, in plain language.
Most people do well with a clean every six to twelve months. If you have gum disease, smoke, have diabetes or build up tartar quickly, you may need to come more often. Our hygienist will recommend a schedule that suits you.
Most people find cleans comfortable. If your gums are sensitive or sore, tell us and we'll adjust to keep you comfortable.
Plaque is a soft film of bacteria that brushing and flossing can remove. Calculus is hardened plaque, and only a dental professional can remove it.
Bleeding gums are often an early sign of gum inflammation caused by plaque. It's usually reversible with a professional clean and good home care, but it's always worth getting checked.
Yes. We recommend regular check-ups with your dentist alongside your cleans so any decay or other problems are found early.
Our hygienist is taking appointments now. Book a clean with our hygienist or call +64 27 900 0004.
