Hygiene & prevention
Dental hygiene
In Lugano and Bellinzona
Prevention is the most effective treatment of all. A regular professional dental cleaning appointment keeps your teeth and gums healthy and catches problems before they require more costly treatment.
Why it matters
Almost 75% of adults experience gum problems at some point in their lives, and it remains the leading cause of tooth loss. Regular professional dental cleaning, combined with an annual check-up, is the most effective and economical way to prevent it: a hygiene appointment costs far less than treating problems that have been left untreated. If your gums bleed, a hygiene appointment is also the first step towards a diagnosis — you can read more on our gum disease page.
What a hygiene appointment involves
Our qualified dental hygienists remove plaque and tartar (scaling), including below the gum line, polish the tooth surfaces and assess the health of your gums, bringing any early signs of decay or other concerns to the dentist’s attention. An appointment usually takes 40 minutes. If your clinical needs require more time, your hygienist will allow for this. It includes personalised advice on brushing, flossing, interdental brushes and diet, tailored to your mouth and your habits.
Scaling: why tartar has to go
Plaque that is not removed by brushing hardens within a few weeks into tartar (calculus), a hard deposit that cannot be removed by brushing or flossing at home. Tartar harbours more bacteria, irritates the gums and, if left below the gum line, paves the way for gingivitis and periodontitis. Professional scaling, using ultrasonic and hand instruments, removes it thoroughly and gently, without harming the enamel.
Air polishing
We also offer air polishing: a fine, gentle jet of air, water and powder that lifts away plaque, bacterial biofilm and surface staining from coffee, tea or smoking, even in the spots that are hardest to reach. It is quick, non-invasive and particularly comfortable — and particularly useful for patients with braces or implants, where access with conventional instruments is more difficult.
How often?
The Swiss Dental Association (SSO) recommends at least one hygiene appointment a year; if you have gingivitis, periodontitis or implants, two to four appointments a year are advisable. Smokers, patients wearing braces and anyone who builds up tartar quickly also benefit from shorter intervals. Your hygienist will agree the right interval with you — and we will remind you when your next appointment is due.
Frequently asked questions
Does a professional clean hurt?
Normally not. You may notice some sensitivity, particularly if it has been a long time since your last appointment or if your gums are inflamed. For very sensitive teeth, the hygienist can apply a topical anaesthetic gel.
How often should I have my teeth cleaned?
At least once a year, as the SSO recommends. If you have implants, gingivitis or periodontitis, or build up tartar quickly, every three to six months is better. Your hygienist will set the right interval with you.
Does professional cleaning damage the enamel?
No. Ultrasonic instruments and air polishing remove only tartar, plaque and stains; they do not wear the enamel. What does damage enamel is the acid produced by plaque that is left in place.
How much does a dental hygiene appointment cost?
A standard hygiene appointment costs CHF 150, excluding any X-rays. In particular situations — a first appointment with heavy tartar build-up, or gum disease — your hygienist outlines the plan and the costs before starting, according to the DENTOTAR® tariff promoted by the SSO. DENTOTAR: official SSO information (in Italian).
Where to find us
This treatment is available at both of our practices in Ticino.