Why a clean is not just cosmetic
Plaque hardens into tartar within a couple of days, and once it has, no amount of brushing shifts it. It has to be removed with instruments. Tartar sitting along and under the gum line is what drives gum inflammation, and gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
So the clean is doing two jobs: it removes the staining you can see, and it removes the deposit causing damage you cannot.
What happens at the appointment
- An assessment of your gum health, including pocket depths where relevant
- Removal of hardened tartar from above and just below the gum line
- Removal of surface staining from tea, coffee, red wine and smoking
- A polish to leave the surfaces smooth, which slows how fast plaque re-forms
- Fluoride application where it will help
- A practical look at your cleaning technique - usually the most valuable part
The part that matters most is what you do at home
A clean every six months does not undo six months of missed cleaning between the teeth. We will show you what to change, and it is almost always technique rather than effort - the right size interdental brush, a lighter touch, cleaning at the right time of day.
Two minutes shown in person is worth more than any amount of advice in a leaflet.
When it is more than a routine clean
Where gum disease has created deep pockets, cleaning the root surfaces inside them is a bigger job - usually more than one appointment, often with local anaesthetic. That is periodontal treatment rather than a routine scale and polish, and it is priced differently. We will tell you which one you need before we start.
