Scaling & Polishing

Scaling and polishing is a professional teeth cleaning that removes hardened tartar and plaque from above and below the gumline, then polishes the teeth smooth and lifts surface stains. At our Al Qusais, Dubai clinic, our dentist carries it out together with a check of your gum health.

Why do you need a professional clean?

Because tartar cannot be brushed off. Plaque missed at the gumline and between the teeth absorbs minerals from saliva and hardens into tartar (calculus) within a few days, and only dental instruments can remove it.

The bacteria in tartar inflame the gums. Early gum inflammation (gingivitis) can usually be reversed with cleaning and better home care; left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which destroys the bone that holds the teeth in place.

What happens at a scaling and polishing visit?

1. Gum check. The dentist measures the gum pockets at six points around each tooth with a fine probe. Healthy pockets are 1–3 mm; 4 mm or more suggests gum disease. Bleeding, recession and loose teeth are recorded so changes can be tracked at later visits.
2. Scaling. An ultrasonic scaler with a cooling water spray breaks up the tartar and flushes it away, and fine hand instruments clean the areas it cannot reach.
3. Polishing. A rubber cup and polishing paste remove remaining surface stains and leave the teeth smooth, so new plaque sticks less easily.
4. Advice. You are shown the areas you tend to miss and told when to come back.

If you have gum disease with tartar deep under the gums, the dentist may advise a deeper clean called root surface debridement.

Does scaling hurt?

For most people with healthy gums it is comfortable. With heavy tartar, inflamed gums or exposed roots you may feel some sensitivity, mainly when cleaning below the gumline, and local anaesthetic can be used for those areas.

How often should you have your teeth cleaned?

Most people need a clean every 6 months. If you have had gum disease, build up tartar quickly, have diabetes or smoke, the dentist may advise every 3–4 months.

Regular cleans also help keep crowns, bridges, implants and veneers healthy, and let the dentist spot early decay or gum recession while it is easier to treat, often with a small tooth-coloured filling.

Does scaling whiten your teeth?

It removes surface stains, so teeth often look brighter, but it does not change their natural shade. If you are planning teeth whitening, a clean 2–4 weeks before helps the gel reach the enamel evenly.

How much does scaling and polishing cost in Dubai?

Scaling and polishing starts from AED 300 per session; see all prices.