Do you need a professional clean?
Plaque that isn’t brushed away hardens into tartar (calculus) within a few days. Tartar is rough, so more plaque sticks to it, and it irritates the gums. You may notice:
- gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- a hard yellow or brown line on the inside of the lower front teeth
- bad breath that comes back soon after brushing
- stains from tea, coffee, paan, gutka or smoking
- gums that look red or puffy rather than pink and firm
None of these need to hurt for gum disease to be progressing, which is why regular cleaning matters even when your teeth feel fine.
Routine clean or deep clean?
| Routine scaling and polishing | Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Healthy gums or early gum inflammation (gingivitis) | Gum disease with pockets below the gum line (periodontitis) |
| Where it cleans | Tooth surfaces above and just under the gum | Root surfaces deep below the gum |
| Anaesthetic | Usually none, or numbing gel | Local anaesthetic |
| Visits | One | Often two, half the mouth each time, then a review |
We measure your gums before deciding. If a routine clean is enough, that’s what we’ll do.
What happens
- Check. The dentist looks at the teeth and measures the gums so we know what kind of cleaning you need.
- Scaling. An ultrasonic scaler loosens tartar with vibration and a water spray, and hand instruments finish the job in tight spots. You’ll feel vibration and hear a high-pitched sound.
- Polishing. A gritty paste on a rubber cup removes stains and smooths the surface so plaque sticks less.
- Advice. We show you where plaque is being missed, and how to clean between your teeth with floss or small brushes.
After the cleaning
- Teeth may be sensitive to cold for a few days, especially if a lot of tartar came off. A sensitivity toothpaste helps.
- Gums can feel tender and may bleed a little for a day or two. Keep brushing gently. Stopping makes it worse.
- If you had deep cleaning, we’ll see you again in a few weeks to check how the gums have healed.
Gums that have been bleeding for months usually settle within one to two weeks of a good clean and better brushing at home.
What affects the fee
A routine clean is priced for the whole mouth. Deep cleaning costs more because it takes longer, needs anaesthetic and is done over more than one visit. Heavy staining or tartar can also add time. We tell you which you need, and the fee, before starting.
Risks and limitations
- Sensitivity after cleaning is common and short-lived.
- If gum disease has already caused bone loss, cleaning stops it getting worse but can’t regrow the bone. That’s why catching it early matters.
- Cleaning won’t fix decay. If we find any, we’ll explain the options.
Questions patients ask us
Is teeth scaling safe? Does it damage enamel?
Yes, it's safe. Scaling instruments remove tartar, not enamel. Done properly, scaling doesn't thin or weaken teeth. What it does remove is the build-up that causes gum disease, which is the real threat to your teeth.
Does scaling make teeth loose or create gaps?
No. If you had heavy tartar, it may have been filling the spaces between teeth and the gum may have been swollen. After cleaning, those spaces show and the gum shrinks back as it heals. The gaps were already there; the tartar was hiding them. Teeth that feel loose after scaling were usually loose because of gum disease beforehand.
Is teeth scaling painful?
Most people find it uncomfortable at worst. If your gums are very inflamed or your teeth are sensitive, we use numbing gel or a small injection. Deep cleaning below the gums is done under local anaesthetic.
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Every six to twelve months suits most people. If you have gum disease, smoke, have diabetes or build up tartar quickly, every three to four months works better. We'll suggest an interval based on what we see.
Will cleaning make my teeth whiter?
It removes stains from tea, coffee, paan and smoking, so teeth often look brighter. It won't change the natural colour of your teeth. For that, see teeth whitening.
What is deep cleaning, and do I need it?
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) cleans the root surfaces below the gum line, where gum disease has created pockets. You need it if your gum measurements show pockets deeper than a routine clean can reach. It is usually done in two sessions, half the mouth at a time, with local anaesthetic, by our periodontist (gum specialist).
Can I clean tartar off at home?
No. Tartar is hard and bonded to the tooth. Scraping it at home risks cutting the gums or scratching the teeth. What you can do at home is stop new tartar forming, by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth daily.
Sources
NHS: gum disease ↗ADA MouthHealthy: scaling and root planing ↗ADA MouthHealthy: gum disease ↗Last updated 14 October 2026. This page explains options in general terms; your own plan comes from an examination.