Scaling and Polishing

“A genuine smile comes from the heart, but a healthy smile needs good dental care.”

Scaling and Polishing

“A genuine smile comes from the heart, but a healthy smile needs good dental care.”

Scaling and Polishing

Having regular professional cleaning, such as scaling and polishing done with your dentist or dental hygienist is essential for maintaining your oral health and minimising the development of dental disease such as tooth decay and gum disease. While daily brushing and flossing are important, there will be areas in the mouth that are difficult to clean well. Over time, dental plaque and calculus tend to build up in these areas.

The importance of having regular scaling and polishing done is well-known, but some people avoid visiting the dentist for years. In conversations, they often mention uncomfortable experiences during scaling and polishing procedures with lots of discomfort and bleeding.

At Newlife Dental, we understand these concerns and strive for a gentle touch when carrying out our treatment. Every detail such as the power settings of our scaling equipment, our polishing techniques and the usage of Prophy Jet to remove stubborn stains has been thought thoroughly and calibrated to provide our patients with the most comfortable scaling and polishing experience possible.

What are the benefits of scaling and polishing?

Scaling is the process of removing food debris and hardened dental plaque (calculus) from your teeth. These deposits contain bacteria that can cause tooth decay, inflamed gums and shaky teeth if left untreated over time.

Polishing is the process of removing surface stains (from tea, coffee, red wine, etc) and soft dental plaque from your teeth. At Newlife Dental, we also use the Prophy Jet in every polishing procedure to gently remove even the most stubborn surface stains.

Is teeth whitening the same as polishing?


They are different.

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that brightens the internal colour of your teeth, while polishing only removes the surface stains. At Newlife Dental, we offer both In-Office and Home Kit Whitening options. For some patients, porcelain veneers may be a good option to mask darker discolourations and also improve the look and form of their teeth.

How often should we have our hygiene visits?

Most patients would require hygiene visits every four to six months. For patients who have had extensive dental treatments done, or have been treated for gum disease, we recommend a hygiene visit every three months.

What should I expect during my hygiene visit?

During hygiene visits, we will provide thorough but gentle scaling and polishing of your teeth. We will also conduct oral health examinations to check for dental diseases such as dental decay,  gum disease, teeth grinding and screen for oral cancer. We will also teach and coach you in oral care techniques such as the usage of dental floss, interdental brushes, etc, that you can incorporate into your daily routine to promote good oral health for years to come.

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