Scaling & Polishing

Scaling removes the hardened tartar that a toothbrush physically cannot shift. It is the single most valuable appointment in dentistry for keeping your own teeth into old age.

Why brushing is not enough

Plaque is soft and brushable. Left for a day or two it absorbs minerals from your saliva and turns into calculus — tartar — which is as hard as the tooth itself. It builds up above and below the gumline, and it holds bacteria against your gums permanently. That is what causes bleeding, bad breath, and eventually the bone loss that makes teeth loosen.

Tea, coffee, paan and naswar accelerate all of it.

What happens in the appointment

• Ultrasonic scaling. A fine vibrating tip breaks tartar away with water irrigation. There is no cutting and no drilling.
• Subgingival cleaning. We clean just below the gumline, where the damage actually happens.
• Polishing. A rotating cup with prophylaxis paste removes surface stain and leaves the enamel smooth, so new plaque struggles to stick.
• Advice tailored to your mouth — including the two or three spots you are missing when you brush.

It takes 30 to 40 minutes. If your gums are inflamed you may notice some bleeding during the clean; that is a sign the gums needed it, and it settles within days.

Is scaling painful?

For most people it is not — it feels like cold water and vibration. If your gums are very inflamed or your roots are exposed we can numb the area. Say so and we will.

Will it whiten my teeth?

Scaling removes stain, which usually makes teeth look noticeably brighter and cleaner. It does not change your natural underlying shade — that is what [teeth whitening](/services/teeth-whitening) does. Many patients find a scale and polish alone is enough.

Cost and how often

Scaling and polishing starts at Rs 2,500. Every six months suits most people; every three to four months if you smoke, use paan or naswar, or have gum disease. We will send you a WhatsApp reminder when yours is due so it does not slip.

Signs you need scaling now

• Gums that bleed when you brush
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
• Yellow or brown deposits along the gumline
• Gums that look puffy or have receded
• Teeth that feel slightly loose

Book on WhatsApp or call +92 310 9882485.