Scale and polish: Professional teeth cleaning explained.

Scaling and polishing

What is scaling?

Scaling is carried out by a dentist or hygienist to remove deposits from your teeth. Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that builds up on your teeth. It is mostly made up of bacteria. The bacteria in plaque feed on sugar from food and drink, producing acids as a waste product. The acids attach to the teeth by dissolving the minerals in the tooth surface. If this happens too often, tooth decay results.

Tartar (also known as ‘calculus’), formed by hardened plaque, helps plaque to gather and makes it harder to remove when you brush. You can’t remove tartar just by brushing your teeth, but a dentist or hygienist can remove it using special instruments – this is known as scaling.

What is polishing?

A dentist or hygienist can also polish your teeth. This removes stains from coffee, tea, cigarettes and red wine; and it makes it more difficult for plaque to stick to your teeth.

If you clean your teeth very thoroughly at home, your scale and polish treatment will take less time.

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What happens?

Dentists and hygienists use two types of instruments for scaling:

  • Hand scalers are metal scrapers that come in different sizes and shapes to reach different parts of the teeth. This is why you will see the dentist or hygienist changing instruments quite often.
  • Electric scalers use a tip that vibrates very fast in a stream of water. The water is removed from your mouth using a small suction device. A hand scaler is also used along with an electric scaler to check whether the teeth are completely clean.

For polishing, your dentist will use a rotating brush or rubber polisher with a special toothpaste.

Scaling and polishing

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“Anna has been my Hygienist since she started working at the Manor Dental Practice and has always achieved the highest standards in looking after my dental hygiene. Anna is a very talented, intelligent and happy…”

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“What a wonderful team! They provide a comfortable environment, are personable and incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommend!”

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“I have recently moved to the area and needed emergency dental treatment. On the recommendation of my new neighbours, I went to Manor Dental Practice. Gloria, the receptionist, was incredibly helpful, and I was seen…”

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“Recently transferred across to this practice and have been super impressed with the team. I've had a check-up and hygienist this far, and the service has been the best I've experienced. Great advice and support…”

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“Friendly, professional service. Full explanation of work was given, very gentle treatment and a great, friendly dental team. Highly recommended.”

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“I would like to highly commend this practice. I have been to some pretty dreadful dentists over the years, and this practice is a refreshing change. Everyone there (without exception) is always (without exception) friendly…”

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“In Bath on a visit and needed to attend an emergency appointment for my family member. We were treated with kindness and professionalism by all members of staff from the call through to payment. Excellent…”

Allison A

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“Cracked half of my filling and decided to register and get treatment with Manor Dental. X-rays and a scan of my teeth were taken professionally. Decided to have a filling without injections and virtually pain-free.…”

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“Had an emergency appointment for a broken front tooth. It was seen that morning, and the tooth was repaired. Faultless service and care. Highly recommend.”

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“A very friendly and helpful dental practice that I would highly recommend! Have had regular check-ups and remedial works carried out that I have been extremely happy with - and no pain at all! Also,…”

Andy W

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“Anna has been my Hygienist since she started working at the Manor Dental Practice and has always achieved the highest…”

Mr Williams

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“What a wonderful team! They provide a comfortable environment, are personable and incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommend!”

Kate S

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“I have recently moved to the area and needed emergency dental treatment. On the recommendation of my new neighbours, I…”

Judith M

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“Recently transferred across to this practice and have been super impressed with the team. I've had a check-up and hygienist…”

Ross C

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“Friendly, professional service. Full explanation of work was given, very gentle treatment and a great, friendly dental team. Highly recommended.”

Karen H

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“I would like to highly commend this practice. I have been to some pretty dreadful dentists over the years, and…”

Sharon H

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“In Bath on a visit and needed to attend an emergency appointment for my family member. We were treated with…”

Allison A

google blue red yellow green plain icon
star orioles plain icon

“Cracked half of my filling and decided to register and get treatment with Manor Dental. X-rays and a scan of…”

Julie D

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“Had an emergency appointment for a broken front tooth. It was seen that morning, and the tooth was repaired. Faultless…”

Brett P

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“A very friendly and helpful dental practice that I would highly recommend! Have had regular check-ups and remedial works carried…”

Andy W

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