A professional scale and clean at Tooth n Care

Scale, Clean & Oral Hygiene

Removing what brushing can’t

Plaque hardens into calculus within days, and once it does no toothbrush will shift it. A professional clean removes it, then we work on the habits that slow it coming back.

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When It’s Needed

Time to book a clean if

Six months or more since your last one
Gums bleed when you brush or floss — the most common early sign of gum disease
You can see or feel hard deposits, especially behind the lower front teeth
Persistent bad breath that brushing doesn’t fix
Teeth look duller or more stained than they used to
You smoke, or drink a lot of coffee, tea or red wine
You’re about to start orthodontic, cosmetic or implant treatment

At The Appointment

What actually happens

01/

Assessment

We check gum health, measure pocket depths where needed, and note recession or bleeding points. This tells us whether you need a routine clean or gum treatment.

02/

Scaling

An ultrasonic scaler uses high-frequency vibration and water to break calculus off the tooth surface, above and just below the gum line. It tickles more than it hurts, though sensitive areas can be numbed.

03/

Polish & floss

A polishing paste lifts surface stain and leaves the enamel smooth, which slows plaque re-forming. We floss through every contact afterwards.

04/

Technique & fluoride

Five genuinely useful minutes on brushing angle, whether floss or interdental brushes suit your gaps, and a fluoride application where it helps.

Afterwards

Recovery & aftercare

Sensitivity to cold for a day or two is common, especially where gums have receded, and settles by itself.
Gums may be slightly tender and can bleed a little for a day if they were inflamed beforehand.
If you had fluoride applied, avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes.
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth once a day — that is what makes the clean last.
Sensitive toothpaste helps if cold sensitivity lingers more than a few days.

A professional dental clean at Tooth n Care

Alternatives We’d Also Discuss

Other ways to go

Gum treatment

If pockets are deeper than 4mm or bone has been lost, a routine clean isn’t enough. Periodontal treatment goes deeper, under anaesthetic, over more visits.

More frequent cleans

Some people build calculus quickly or have a history of gum disease. Three or four monthly cleans for a period often works better than fighting it twice a year.

Whitening after cleaning

If your goal is whiter teeth, a clean removes surface stain and is the sensible first step — sometimes it’s enough on its own.

Risks & Considerations

The honest downsides

No treatment is risk-free, and you should hear this before you decide rather than afterwards.

Cleaning does not remove healthy enamel, but it does expose root surfaces that calculus had been covering, which can feel sensitive for a few days.
If gums are already inflamed, they may bleed during and briefly after the appointment. That is a sign of existing disease, not damage from the clean.
A clean treats the symptoms of poor plaque control, not the cause. Without daily cleaning between teeth, calculus returns within months.
Where gum disease has already destroyed bone, a clean stabilises rather than reverses it. The lost bone does not grow back.
Very heavy staining from smoking or tannins may not lift entirely in one visit.
Tell us if you have a heart condition, joint replacement or immune-suppressing medication — occasionally antibiotic cover is advised beforehand.

Cost & health funds

Most health funds cover two examinations and cleans per calendar year, claimable on the spot through HICAPS. If you’re a new patient, a scale and clean is included in the $199 or no-gap first visit. Eligible children can be bulk billed through CDBS.

Fees & payment plans →

Get a written plan

Before anything starts you’ll have a written treatment plan with costs, inclusions and any conditions spelled out, plus an estimate of your health fund rebate checked at the desk.

Book an assessment →

This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a registered dental practitioner. Any dental or surgical procedure carries risks. Individual results vary. Before proceeding with treatment we encourage you to ask questions and, if you wish, seek a second opinion from a qualified health practitioner.