scaling & polishing

The first step to a happy smile and healthy teeth.

happy dental patient undergoing Invisalign aligner fitting

What is Scaling and Polishing

The Scaling Stage

This stage allows your dentist to remove any tartar and plaque deposits that have build up on your teeth. Plaque is a soft, waxy and yellowish substance that naturally accumulates on teeth over a period of time.

When plaque not removed from the surfaces of teeth and exposed over a period of time, minerals present in saliva will combine with plaque to form hardened crystals known as tartar which appear as crusty deposits that can cause tooth discoloration, dental caries and even gum disease if left unchecked.

Unlike plaque which can typically be removed through regular brushing and flossing. Tartar can only be removed through scaling and polishing by a dental professional.

The Polishing Stage

The Polishing Stage – after thoroughly removing plaque and tartar through the scaling process, your dentist will then proceed to polish your teeth.

The polishing process will remove any stains from your teeth which may have accumulated over time and give it a nice and natural shine at the end of the treatment. For stubborn tooth stains, some patients may require something more than polishing in order to remove the stains.

The dentist will then proceed to use a stronger stain remover tool known as “prophy-jet” to ‘blast away’ the stubborn stains.

Going for a regular ‘scale and polish’ once every six once will help patients maintain a healthy set of gums and teeth. This procedure thoroughly cleans teeth which will also help them look better and feel better. If you’re looking to book an appointment for your next scaling & polishing appointment, please feel free to give us a call.

For patients who suffer from bleeding gums after brushing their teeth, it may be a sign of gum disease. Regular scaling and polishing can help to both prevent and treat gum disease.

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Benefits of Scaling and Polishing

White & fresh smile after scaling and polishing

Whiter Looking Teeth

Scaling and polishing will not only improve your oral hygiene, it will also help to enhance the shine of your smile. This typically allows patients to enjoy a clean, bright and whiter looking set of teeth to boost their confidence.

For patients looking for professional teeth whitening treatment. We do offer in-clinic teeth whitening solutions as well as take home teeth whitening solutions. These solutions will produce greater aesthetic results compared to scaling and polishing.

Dental Tartar present on a set of chipped teeth

Removes Dental Tartar

When dental plaque (sticky, white/yellow substance which accumulates on teeth over time) combines with the minerals found in saliva, it forms dental tartar. This dental tartar is usually crystalline in appearance and is usually yellow in colour.

Dental tartar cannot be removed through regular brushing and can only be removed through scaling and polishing. If left untreated dental tartar will only continue to build up. Excessive dental tartar can permanently stain teeth and eventually lead to gum disease due to the build up of bacteria in underneath the tartar.

Prevents Gum Disease

Gum disease is a common oral health issue that many patients don’t even realise that they have. There are two main types of gum disease, gingivitis and the more severe form, periodontitis.

Common symptoms of gum disease include bleeding of the gums, pain when chewing and swollen gums. When left untreated gingivitis is slowly become periodontitis which can lead to other oral health complications such as gum recession, bone loss in the jaw and even cause premature tooth loss.

Get Started On Your Dental Journey With Our Team of Dedicated Dentists

Our team of experienced dentists are fully dedicated to providing our patients with high-quality and affordable dental care. Our dentists are well-versed in all schools of dentistry, and are highly adept in producing satisfactory and long-term results for all of our patients.

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Cost of Scaling & Polishing

At NoFrills Dental, we pride ourselves on providing patients with high-quality dental care at affordable prices. The cost of a basic session of scaling and polishing ranges between $80 – $120 (before GST) depending on the condition of the teeth.

When our patients come in for an initial consultation, a ‘one-time’ fee of $50 will be charged for an oral health analysis.

Cost of Scaling and Polishing:

$80 – $120

Initial Consultation	$50
Scaling & Polishing	$80 – $120

*All prices indicated excludes 7% GST

FAQs About Scaling & Polishing

Here are some of the commonly asked questions about scaling and polishing

What's the difference between scaling & polishing and teeth whitening?

Scaling & polishing involves the removal of dental plaque and overall maintenance of oral health. The polishing stage does help to brighten teeth slightly but to a lesser degree when compared to professional teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is an aesthetic procedure that involves chemically bleaching your teeth in order to whiten them. Teeth whitening has zero effect on oral hygiene.

What's the best way to maintain my oral health after scaling & polishing my teeth?

Patients are encouraged to brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day in order to maintain good oral health. More importantly, it is essential for patients to see a dentist once every 6 months for regular check-ups.

How often should I see the dentist?

You should see a dentist once every 6 months.

Does the scaling & polishing process damage my teeth?

When done by a skilled dental professional, scaling and polishing is a smooth and harmless procedure that does not harm your teeth in anyway.

Some patients may experience mild bleeding and/or increased tooth sensitivity after the procedure. (Highly dependant on the severity of the initial oral health condition) – These syptoms should wear off about 1 week after your appointment.