Hygiene — modern, gentle care from one of NI’s most awarded hygienists
Good hygiene visits do more than make your teeth feel clean. They protect the long-term health of your gums, catch problems early, and prevent the costly restorative work that comes from years of neglect. At Appletree, hygiene is led by Zara McKibbin — winner of Best Dental Care Professional in NI (Irish Dentistry Awards 2014) and Highly Commended at the NI Healthcare Awards 2017.
What’s on offer
- 1-hour hygiene session — a thorough professional clean and tailored advice
- Airflow — our modern, comfortable hygiene treatment that lifts plaque and staining without scraping
- “Gum Day” intensive periodontal treatment — a single-visit treatment for patients with active gum disease, with sedation available where helpful
- Periodontal maintenance — structured follow-up for patients who’ve completed gum treatment
A prevention-first approach
Zara’s reputation has been built on patient education as much as clinical skill. You’ll leave each visit knowing exactly what to do differently between appointments — which technique, which brush, which interdental tool — calibrated to your mouth, not generic advice.
Frequently asked
How often should I see the hygienist?
For most patients, every six months alongside the routine examination. Patients with a history of gum disease may benefit from more frequent visits — we’ll advise.
Will it hurt?
Modern hygiene at Appletree shouldn’t hurt. If you’ve had uncomfortable cleans elsewhere, ask about Airflow — it removes plaque and staining with no scraping at all.
Do I need to be a registered patient to see the hygienist?
Yes — we’d see you for an examination with one of our dentists first so we can plan your hygiene visits sensibly.
What about kids?
Hygiene visits for children focus on technique, prevention and confidence — we want their first associations with the dentist to be positive.
Call us on 028 3025 2228 to book your hygiene appointment.