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About the Experts
This article is reviewed by:
- Dr. Aniruddha Basu – Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Peerless Hospital, Fortis Hospital and Kidney Institute, RSV Hospital Kolkata
- Dr. Debdita Banerjee – Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist, Assistant Professor, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Sugar Jain Dental College, Kolkata
Introduction
If you’ve been told you need dental scaling and polishing, you might wonder: Is it really necessary? The answer is yes—for most people. Scaling and polishing is one of the most important preventive dental procedures, removing the hardened deposits (tartar) and bacterial buildup that brushing alone cannot remove. This professional cleaning helps prevent gum disease, maintains tooth color, and keeps your mouth healthy. This guide explains what scaling and polishing are, why they’re recommended, and how they address bleeding gums and gum disease.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never self-diagnose or self-medicate based on online content. Please consult a qualified dental professional for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and personalized treatment recommendations.
What Are Scaling and Polishing?
Understanding the Two-Step Process
Professional dental cleaning consists of two distinct but complementary procedures:[1]
Scaling: Removal of plaque and tartar (hardened deposits) from tooth surfaces and below the gumline. Your dentist uses specialized instruments—hand scalers or ultrasonic scalers—to gently remove these deposits without damaging your teeth.
Polishing: Removal of surface stains and residual plaque using a rotating cup with abrasive polishing paste. This leaves your teeth smooth, clean, and with a brighter appearance.
What’s the Difference Between Home Brushing and Professional Scaling?
| Aspect | Home Brushing | Professional Scaling |
| Can Remove | Soft plaque only (biofilm) | Hardened tartar & deep plaque |
| Depth | Above gumline only | Below gumline (up to 5mm deep) |
| Effectiveness | Good for maintenance | Essential for preventing disease |
Why Tartar Cannot Be Removed by Brushing
Once plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), it bonds chemically to your tooth surface. Brushing cannot remove tartar—only professional instruments can. Tartar is rough and porous, making it an ideal surface for bacteria to colonize. This buildup irritates your gums and causes inflammation.[2]
Do You Need Scaling and Polishing? When It’s Recommended
General Recommendations
The American Dental Association recommends professional scaling and polishing for:
- All adults with gum disease or gingivitis—at least twice yearly
- Healthy individuals with good oral hygiene—at least once or twice yearly
- Patients with specific risk factors (smoking, diabetes, poor immunity)—every 3-4 months
- Before other dental procedures (fillings, crowns, implants)—to ensure clean surfaces
Signs You Definitely Need Professional Scaling
- Visible yellow or brown buildup on teeth (tartar)
- Persistent bad breath despite good oral hygiene
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Gum recession or pockets between gums and teeth
- Recently diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis
- Swollen, red, or tender gums
- Loose teeth or gum sensitivity
Bleeding Gums: Causes and Treatment
Why Do Gums Bleed?
Plaque and Tartar Buildup: Bacterial deposits irritate the gum tissue, triggering inflammation and bleeding when you brush or floss.
Gingivitis (Early Gum Disease): The mildest form of gum disease, characterized by red, swollen, bleeding gums. This stage is REVERSIBLE with professional scaling and improved home care.[3]
Periodontitis (Advanced Gum Disease): If gingivitis goes untreated, bacteria spread below the gumline, infecting the bone supporting your teeth. Periodontal pockets form, causing persistent bleeding and eventual tooth loss if left unaddressed.
Poor Brushing Technique: Aggressive brushing or incorrect flossing can traumatize delicate gum tissue.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of Vitamin C or K weakens gum tissue, making bleeding more likely.
Medical Conditions: Diabetes, blood disorders, or medications that thin blood increase gum bleeding risk.
How Scaling and Polishing Stop Bleeding Gums
- Removes plaque and tartar causing irritation
- Allows inflamed gum tissue to heal and reattach to teeth
- Reduces bacterial load by up to 72%[4]
- Reverses early-stage gingivitis (if caught early)
- Prevents progression to periodontitis
For most patients with gingivitis, gums stop bleeding within 1-2 weeks of professional scaling and polishing, combined with improved home oral hygiene.[1]
What to Expect During Scaling and Polishing
Step-by-Step Process
Gum Assessment: Your dentist examines your gums and may use a special probe to measure pocket depths (normal pockets are 1-3mm; diseased pockets are deeper).
Scaling (Deep Cleaning): Using hand or ultrasonic instruments, your dentist removes tartar from tooth surfaces and below the gumline. You may feel vibration, pressure, or hear a whirring sound—this is completely normal.
Root Planing (if needed): For moderate gum disease, the dentist smooths root surfaces to help gums reattach firmly to teeth, eliminating pockets where bacteria hide.
Polishing: A rubber cup with polishing paste removes stains and leaves teeth smooth and bright.
Fluoride Treatment (optional): Your dentist may apply fluoride to strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity.
Will It Hurt?
Most patients report minimal discomfort. Your dentist applies local anesthetic to sensitive areas if needed. You’ll feel pressure and vibration, but not pain. If you experience pain, tell your dentist immediately—they can add more numbing medication.[1]
How Long Does It Take?
A typical scaling and polishing appointment takes 30-60 minutes, depending on the extent of tartar buildup and gum disease severity.
After Scaling and Polishing: Care & Recovery
What to Expect Immediately After
- Mild gum sensitivity or tenderness for 24-48 hours (normal)
- Possible slight bleeding if gums were very inflamed
- Tooth sensitivity to temperature (temporary)
- Smoother tooth surfaces and fresher breath
Care Instructions for Optimal Healing
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush for at least one week
- Brush gently in circular motions (avoid aggressive scrubbing)
- Start flossing again after 24 hours, gently
- Rinse with warm salt water 2-3 times daily for one week
- Avoid very hot foods/drinks and hard foods for first 24 hours
- If sensitive, use desensitizing toothpaste
- Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed
Long-Term Maintenance: Preventing the Need for Future Scaling
- Brush twice daily with soft-bristled toothbrush for 2 minutes
- Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth
- Use antibacterial mouthwash if recommended
- Maintain regular dental visits (every 6-12 months)
- Avoid smoking (accelerates gum disease)
- Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins C and K
- Manage underlying conditions like diabetes
FAQs: Your Most Common Questions Answered
Q: Do I really need scaling and polishing if I brush regularly?
A: Yes. Even with excellent brushing, tartar can form below the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach. Professional scaling removes this buildup, preventing gum disease and tooth loss. Studies show professional cleaning reduces cavity risk by 72%.[4]
Q: Why do my gums bleed after scaling and polishing?
A: Mild bleeding for 24-48 hours after treatment is normal, especially if your gums were severely inflamed beforehand. This indicates the procedure removed irritating deposits. If bleeding persists beyond 48 hours, contact your dentist.
Q: How often should I get scaling and polishing?
A: Healthy individuals: once or twice yearly. Patients with gingivitis: 3-4 times yearly. Patients with periodontitis: every 3-4 months. Your dentist will recommend the optimal interval for your situation.
Q: Is scaling and polishing the same as a regular cleaning?
A: Regular cleaning removes plaque above the gumline. Scaling and polishing includes deep cleaning below the gumline to remove tartar and treat gum disease. Scaling is more thorough and therapeutic than regular cleaning.
Q: Can I get scaling and polishing if I have sensitive teeth?
A: Yes. Inform your dentist about sensitivity so they can use appropriate techniques and numbing agents. Desensitizing toothpaste before the appointment may help. After treatment, sensitivity usually improves as gums heal.
Conclusion
Dental scaling and polishing is a preventive procedure that removes hardened deposits brushing cannot reach, stops bleeding gums, and prevents gum disease from progressing. If you have tartar buildup, bleeding gums, or persistent bad breath, you definitely need professional scaling. Regular scaling and polishing—combined with excellent home oral hygiene—keeps your gums healthy, prevents tooth loss, and helps you maintain a beautiful smile for life. Don’t ignore signs of gum disease; early intervention with professional scaling and polishing can reverse early stages of gingivitis and prevent costly dental problems down the road.
References
[1] Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults. (2018). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 12, CD005281. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6516960/
[2] Examining the impact of oral hygiene advice and/or scale and polish on periodontal disease: the IQuaD cluster factorial randomised controlled trial. (2021). Health Technology Assessment, 25(5), 1-150. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7908958/
[3] IQuaD dental trial; improving the quality of dentistry: a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing oral hygiene advice and periodontal instrumentation for the prevention and management of periodontal disease in dentate adults attending dental primary care. (2013). Trials, 14, 321. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4015981/
[4] Impact of prophylaxis pastes and application techniques on enamel roughness and surface characteristics. (2025). Operative Dentistry, 50(4), 412-428. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12394095/
[5] The Effect of Dental Ultrasonic Scaler on Dental Restorations. (2022). Saudi Journal of Oral and Dental Research, 7(8), 201-207. https://saudijournals.com/media/articles/SJODR_78_201-207.pdf
[6] Patient perceptions regarding benefits of single visit scale and polish: a randomised controlled trial. (2013). Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 41(5), 451-459. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3851473/
[7] A comparative evaluation of plaque-removing efficacy of air polishing and rubber-cup, bristle brush with paste polishing on oral hygiene status: A clinical study. (2015). Journal of International Society of Prevention & Community Dentistry, 5(5), 385-390. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4697229/
[8] Routine Dental Polishing for Oral Health. (2023). Canadian Journal of Health Technologies, 3(11), RC1517. http://canjhealthtechnol.ca/index.php/cjht/article/view/RC1517
[9] Scaling and Root Planing: Effective Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatment. (2025). California Periodontal Institute. Non-surgical treatment for moderate to advanced gum disease. https://www.calemperio.com/scaling-and-root-planing-a-non-surgical-solution-to-gum-disease/
[10] How Does a Dentist Treat Bleeding Gums? (2025). Highland Creek Family Dental, Lafayette. Professional treatment options for bleeding gums and gum disease management. https://www.highlandcreekfamilydental.com/how-do-dentists-help-stop-and-heal-bleeding-gums/
[11] Bleeding Gums: Causes, Treatments & Prevention Tips. (2025). Luminance Dentaire. Comprehensive guide to causes, treatments, and preventive measures for bleeding gums. https://luminancedentaire.ca/gums-bleed-causes-solutions/
[12] Differences Between Two Devices With Function of Air-Polishing and Ultrasonic Scaling: A Clinical Perspective. (2025). Dentistry Journal, 13(3), 98-112. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11986920/