Before you book
How often should I get my teeth cleaned? +
For most people, about every six months, and some need it sooner. If you form tartar quickly, smoke or chew tobacco, have diabetes or have had gum disease, Dr. Mahesh may suggest three or four months. People with healthy gums and little build-up can sometimes stretch the gap, but that's a decision for a check-up, not a guess. Your gums at each visit tell the dentist what interval makes sense for you.
What is the difference between scaling, polishing and deep cleaning? +
Scaling removes plaque and tartar from the teeth, polishing smooths the surface and lifts stains, and together they make up the routine visit. A deep clean, often called root planing, is a separate and longer procedure for gum disease that cleans below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces, usually under local anaesthetic and sometimes over two visits. Dr. Mahesh will say which one you need after examining you, and our
gum care page covers the deeper treatment.
Is it safe to have my teeth cleaned if I'm pregnant, diabetic or have a heart condition? +
Often yes, but tell the dentist beforehand so the visit can be planned around your health. Gums bleed and swell more easily in pregnancy, and diabetes or a heart condition may call for extra care. Decisions about timing or precautions are clinical ones that Dr. Mahesh makes with you and, where needed, your own doctor. It helps to bring a list of your medicines.
During the visit
Is teeth scaling painful? +
Not usually. Most people describe it as odd, ticklish or mildly uncomfortable rather than painful, and a routine clean doesn't need an injection. Sensitive teeth or inflamed gums can make it feel sharper. Tell us if something stings, because the dentist can go gently, pause, or numb a small area. For a deeper clean below the gumline, local anaesthetic is normally used.
How long does scaling take? +
A routine scale and polish is often done in one visit of roughly half an hour to an hour, depending on how much tartar there is. A short visit isn't automatically a poor one when there's little build-up, while a heavier mouth takes longer. If you're unsure what was done, ask; you're entitled to an explanation. Deeper cleaning takes longer and may be split across two visits.
Is it normal for my gums to bleed during scaling? +
Yes, if the gums are inflamed. Swollen gums bleed easily when touched, so some bleeding is expected and often eases within a day. Healthy gums bleed very little, which is why the amount tells the dentist something. Bleeding that carries on beyond a day or two, or gets worse over the following weeks, should be checked, and heavy bleeding that won't stop needs a call to us or urgent medical care.
Does scaling damage enamel or make teeth weak? +
No. Scaling takes deposits off the surface of the tooth, not the tooth itself, and polishing uses a soft rubber cup with a mild paste. Teeth with thin or poorly formed enamel can feel more sensitive afterwards, so mention it if you know yours do. What does weaken teeth is long-standing gum disease, which wears away the bone that holds them, and regular cleaning helps guard against it.
Afterwards
Why are my teeth sensitive after scaling, and how long will it last? +
Because tartar that covered parts of the tooth has gone, leaving surfaces that were protected exposed. Sensitivity to cold and tender gums for a few days is common, and a sensitive-teeth toothpaste often helps. After a deeper clean it can last a month or two before fading. If it hasn't improved after a couple of weeks, or the pain is sharp, get it looked at.
Does scaling loosen teeth or leave gaps? +
No, but it can make existing looseness and gaps easier to see. Tartar sometimes fills spaces and holds slightly loose teeth together, and swollen gums shrink once they're healthy, so you notice spaces that were hidden. The gaps weren't made by the cleaning; the gum disease behind them was. A tooth may feel a little looser for a while after a deeper clean. If it still feels loose weeks later, or is getting worse, have it examined.
Is there any risk of infection after a dental cleaning? +
Problems are uncommon, but not impossible, so it helps to know what to watch for. Our clinics run a sterilised, hygienic setup, which is the main protection. Tell the dentist beforehand about any heart condition or illness that lowers your resistance to infection. Afterwards, swelling that increases, fever, pus, or pain that gets worse instead of better are reasons to see a dentist the same day.
Breath, stains, cost and children
Will teeth cleaning get rid of bad breath? +
It helps when the cause is in the mouth, which it usually is. Bacteria on the tongue, between the teeth and in tartar under the gums produce most of the smell, so removing tartar and settling inflamed gums can make a real difference. Cleaning your tongue daily matters too. If your breath is still bad after a thorough clean and good home care, a doctor should check the nose, throat and stomach.
Can cleaning make my yellow teeth white again? +
It can make them look cleaner and brighter, but only where the yellow is surface stain. Tea, coffee, tobacco, paan and gutkha leave marks on the outside that polishing lifts. If the yellow is the tooth's natural shade, or comes from inside the tooth, a clean won't change it, and that's where
whitening or smile design comes in. Dr. Mahesh can tell which you have after a look.
What decides the cost of teeth cleaning? +
How much tartar and staining there is, how long the work takes, and if you need a deeper clean below the gumline instead of a routine one. Any examination or X-rays needed beforehand also play a part. We don't quote a figure without seeing your teeth, so call or
message us on WhatsApp and we'll tell you what applies to you after Dr. Mahesh has had a look.
Can children have their teeth cleaned? +
Yes, children are treated at both clinics, and a check-up with a clean can help catch cavities and gum trouble early. How much cleaning a child needs depends on their teeth and how well they brush. Our
children's dentistry page explains what to expect, and you can book a slot that suits school hours.
