Scaling and gum health: what a professional clean involves

Scaling and polishing is a professional clean of your teeth and gums, carried out by a dentist or hygienist. It works alongside daily brushing and cleaning between your teeth. It does not replace them.

Why a professional clean is needed

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth every day. Brushing and cleaning between your teeth remove most of it. Whatever is left behind can harden into tartar, also called calculus. Tartar gives new plaque a rough surface to cling to, and you cannot brush it off at home.

Plaque and tartar along the gumline irritate the gums, leaving them red, swollen and prone to bleeding. If this continues, it can develop into gum disease that affects the tissue and bone around your teeth.

What scaling and polishing involve

• Assessment: the dentist or hygienist looks at your teeth and gums and checks for plaque and tartar.
• Scaling: plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth and along the gumline using special instruments.
• Polishing: the teeth are polished afterwards for a smoother finish.
• Advice: you will usually be shown how to clean your teeth and gums more effectively at home.

Tell the team if anything is uncomfortable. You can ask them to pause at any time.

When a deeper clean is discussed

Sometimes plaque and tartar collect below the gumline. In that case your dentist may recommend a deeper clean of the root surfaces, often called scaling and root planing. Numbing may be used for this. More advanced gum disease can need further treatment, and some people are referred to a gum specialist.

Your dentist decides what is right for you after examining your mouth, which can include measuring the small spaces around each tooth and taking X-rays.

Looking after your gums between visits

• Brush twice a day for about two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes.
• Avoid tobacco. It is a major risk factor for gum disease and can slow healing.
• Tell your dentist if you have diabetes, because it can affect gum health.
• Keep regular check-ups so any change is spotted early.

When to see a dentist

• Your gums bleed, or look red, swollen or sore
• You have bad breath that does not go away
• Your gums are moving back or your teeth feel loose
• It has been a long time since your last check-up

Get urgent help now if swelling is spreading across your face or neck, or if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.

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Educational information. It does not replace advice from your dentist or doctor.