DentistryDental Hygiene

Coverage varies among health insurance companies. Our clinic is contracted with all major insurance companies in Slovakia - VšZP, Union, and Dôvera. Upon completing dental hygiene, we will provide you with a document for the reimbursement of the procedure that you must send to the insurance company or upload to their application. (Western Clinic is a non-contracted provider for health insurance companies.)

Yes. The visual cleanliness of teeth and the actual condition of the oral cavity are not the same thing.

What is not visible to the naked eye

• Tartar. It forms from soft plaque that mineralizes over 10–14 days. It accumulates primarily in the spaces between teeth and under the gums — exactly where a toothbrush cannot reach. It is impossible to remove on your own: professional cleaning is required.
• Subgingival plaque. Bacteria penetrate the space between the tooth and the gum, where they form colonies. From the outside, the gums look normal, but inflammation is already developing inside — the initial stage of periodontitis.
• Early-stage tooth decay. The first foci of enamel demineralization are painless and almost invisible to the eye. Without timely treatment, they deepen into the dentin — and that is when pain appears and a filling becomes necessary.

What happens without regular hygiene

Tartar constantly presses on the gum margin and damages the tissue. This triggers chronic inflammation — gingivitis, and later periodontitis. With periodontitis, the bone tissue around the tooth is destroyed: the gums recede, teeth become loose, and over time may fall out — even if the teeth themselves are healthy and cavity-free.

Home hygiene does not replace professional hygiene

A toothbrush and toothpaste remove plaque from accessible surfaces. However, the spaces between teeth, the area under the gums, and hard-to-reach spots require dental floss, a water flosser, and a dentist's instruments. Even with perfect home hygiene, tartar still forms — just more slowly.

The absence of pain and complaints does not mean the absence of problems. Most oral diseases develop without symptoms and are only detected during a routine check-up.