Scaling & polishing
Plaque hardens into tartar within days, and once it does, no amount of brushing removes it. That's the entire reason this appointment exists.
Tartar forms fastest along the gumline and behind the lower front teeth, where saliva glands sit. It's porous, it holds bacteria against the gum, and the gum responds by becoming inflamed, which is the bleeding most people dismiss as brushing too hard.
Left long enough, the inflammation moves below the gum and starts destroying the bone that holds teeth in. You feel nothing while it happens, and the bone does not grow back. Scaling is what stops it.
Signs that usually point here
Bleeding gums are the signal people most often ignore. It's not normal, and it's not from brushing too hard.
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Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
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Visible yellow or brown deposits along the gumline
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Persistent bad breath that mouthwash only masks briefly
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Gums that look puffy, red, or have receded from the teeth
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A rough or gritty feeling behind the lower front teeth
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It has been more than a year since the last cleaning
What actually happens
A single appointment, and unlike most dental visits you can eat straight afterwards.
Examination first
The mouth is checked quadrant by quadrant to see where build-up actually is. Some areas will need work and some won't, and you'll be told which, rather than having all four cleaned by default.
Consultation visitUltrasonic scaling
A fine tip vibrates the tartar loose with water rather than scraping it off. This is why it feels like buzzing and cold water rather than pain, and why it's much faster than hand scaling.
20–30 minutesBelow the gumline where needed
Where deposits extend under the gum, they're cleared too. This is the part that actually protects the bone. Deeper cleaning may need local anaesthetic and is discussed beforehand.
As requiredPolishing
A soft rotating cup with fine paste smooths the tooth surface, which removes surface staining and makes it harder for plaque to stick again.
5–10 minutesBefore and after
A case from the clinic, shared with the patient's written consent.
Heavy tartar at the gumline cleared in a single visit. See more cases →
Does scaling hurt or damage teeth?
Neither, and the second half of that question deserves a direct answer because it's the most persistent myth in Indian dentistry.
Scaling does not loosen teeth or wear enamel. The ultrasonic tip works on tartar, not on tooth. What people experience as looseness afterwards is the removal of hardened deposits that were splinting already-mobile teeth together. The tartar was hiding the problem, not preventing it.
Sensation is buzzing, vibration and cold water. Where gums are already inflamed it can be tender, and sensitivity to cold for a few days afterwards is common and settles on its own.
What it costs
A light clean on well-maintained teeth is quick. Years of build-up extending below the gum takes longer and may need more than one visit.
- Consultation and examinationStarts at
- Scaling and polishingStarts at
- Deep cleaning below the gumlineStarts at
- Stain removal (tea, coffee, tobacco)Starts at
- Fluoride applicationStarts at
Ranges, not quotes. You get the exact figure after the examination and before any work starts.
What people ask before booking
No. This is the most widespread dental myth in India and it keeps people away until real damage is done. Hardened tartar can hold already-loose teeth together like a splint, so removing it reveals mobility that gum disease had already caused. The scaling didn't cause it; it uncovered it.
Somewhat. Scaling removes surface staining from tea, coffee and tobacco, and teeth usually look brighter afterwards. It does not change the natural colour of the enamel. That's what whitening does, and it works far better on freshly cleaned teeth.
Every six to twelve months for most people. More often if you smoke, have gum disease, or build tartar quickly. Some people simply do, regardless of how well they brush.
The tartar was covering part of the tooth near the gumline, and that surface is now exposed to air and cold. Sensitivity settles within a week or two. A desensitising toothpaste helps in the meantime.
It was there before, filled with tartar. Removing the deposit reveals space that gum recession had already created. It doesn't get worse from cleaning. It gets worse from leaving the deposit in place.
Yes, immediately. Nothing is numbed and nothing is setting. Avoid strongly staining food and drink for the first day if you've had stain removal done.
What usually comes next
Book a consultation
The consultation covers the examination and, where it's needed, an X-ray. You'll know what's wrong and what it costs before committing to anything.
In pain right now? Call the clinic instead of waiting for a callback.