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Once or twice a year
Teeth cleaning, scaling and polishing
The one appointment that removes what brushing has never been able to reach.
Tartar is hardened plaque. Once it sets against the gumline no amount of brushing shifts it, and it keeps feeding the bacteria that cause bad breath, bleeding gums and eventually loose teeth.
Scaling removes it. Polishing smooths the surface afterwards so it takes longer to come back, and lifts the surface staining left by tea, coffee and smoking.
Most people need this once or twice a year. If your gums bleed when you brush, you probably need it now.
When you need it
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss
- Bad breath that comes back within hours of brushing
- You can see or feel hard deposits behind your lower front teeth
- Your teeth look duller or yellower than they used to
- You smoke, or drink a lot of tea, coffee or karak
What happens at the appointment
Scaling
An ultrasonic scaler breaks the hardened tartar off the tooth surface and from just under the gumline, where a brush has never been able to reach.
Hand finishing
The scaler does the bulk of it. The tight spots between teeth and around the gum margin are finished by hand so nothing is left behind.
Polishing
A polishing paste lifts surface staining from tea, coffee and smoking, and leaves the enamel smooth so plaque takes longer to stick again.
Afterwards
Your gums may feel tender for a day or two if they were inflamed to begin with, and your teeth can be briefly sensitive to cold. Both settle quickly.
Some patients notice small gaps between the teeth afterwards. That is the tartar gone, not damage. The gum tightens back over the following weeks.
Worth knowing
Cleaning is not whitening
This is the single most common misunderstanding we deal with. Scaling and polishing removes what is on the tooth — tartar and surface stain. Whitening changes the natural shade of the tooth itself. Cleaning often makes teeth look noticeably brighter because the stain was doing the darkening, but if you want a genuine shade change you want whitening, and we will tell you which one you actually need.
How often you should have it done
Every six to twelve months for most people. More often if you smoke, if your gums bleed easily, or if you have had gum treatment before. Left too long, tartar stops being a cosmetic problem and starts loosening teeth — and that damage does not come back.
Common questions
Does it hurt?
It should not. If your gums are inflamed they may be tender, and we work more gently in those areas.
Will my teeth look whiter?
Surface stains lift, so usually yes — but it does not change the natural shade of the tooth. That is whitening.
How often should I have it done?
Every six to twelve months for most people. More often if you smoke or have gum problems.
Will it damage my enamel?
No. The scaler works on the tartar, not the tooth. Leaving tartar in place does far more damage than removing it.
Can I have it done while pregnant?
Yes, and it is often recommended — gums become more prone to inflammation during pregnancy. Tell us so we can plan accordingly.
Not sure what you need?
Just ask.
Message us on WhatsApp with what is bothering you. We will tell you what it is likely to be and what it will cost — before you come in.